Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has announced the appointment of Jeffrey Lopez as the new Director of the New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion. Lopez is expected to advance the state’s digital connectivity goals with his extensive background in federal policy and infrastructure.
“Jeffrey possesses the perfect combination of federal policy knowledge, broadband program prowess, and familiarity with New Mexico communities that our state needs to maximize the historic broadband investments underway,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham. “His leadership will help ensure every New Mexican has access to reliable, high-speed internet, from our rural communities to our tribal nations.”
Lopez has over 12 years of experience in supporting New Mexicans at a federal level. Before this role, he served as a senior policy advisor and state staff for U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján. He managed the senator’s work as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband and contributed directly to legislation creating the federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Act. This act allocates $675 million to connect unserved and underserved households across New Mexico.
Additionally, Aquiles “Alex” Trujillo has been appointed as deputy director. Trujillo brings more than two decades of experience in broadband and telecommunications leadership, including previous work with OBAE in 2022 where he directed the statewide Technical Assistance Program.
Both appointments are effective immediately.
Gov. Lujan Grisham also expressed gratitude towards Manny Barreras for serving as acting director since April while continuing his duties as Secretary of the Department of Information Technology.
