HispanicBusiness

Gov.-elect Bill Richardson on Friday appointed five Hispanics to various positions, including naming former Albuquerque Mayor Jim Baca as the state's natural resources trustee.

"I want a Cabinet that looks like New Mexico, and this one does," Richardson, a Hispanic, said at a news conference at the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce.

Baca, 57, served as Albuquerque's mayor from 1997 to 2001 and was state land commissioner for eight years. He vowed on Friday to work with state agencies, legislators, the governor and industries to protect the state's natural resources.

"I am excited about taking on this position," Baca said.

The natural resources trustee acts as a watchdog who ensures that anyone who damages the state's natural resources cleans up the mess or pays a fine.

Richardson, a Democrat whose term begins Jan. 1, also nominated John M. Garcia of Albuquerque to be director of the state Veterans' Service Commission.

Garcia, 53, is director of Barelas Community Development Inc. He served as an infantry soldier in Vietnam from 1969 to 1971 and was secretary of the state Economic Development Department from 1994 to 1995.

Richardson said he was troubled by media accounts of problems with the commission, including a lack of funding for bugle services for veterans' funerals.

He also said he wants to make the commission a Cabinet-level agency, which would require legislative approval.

Garcia said making the commission a Cabinet-level agency would give a higher profile to issues relating to veterans.

"The Veterans' Service Commission is the only vehicle that we've got that can bring the dignity and respect that's due (to) all our veterans and their families in this state," Garcia said.

Garcia said he wants more training for service officers who work on behalf of New Mexico veterans. He also said he wants to hire at least one Indian service officer.

Other Richardson nominations included Edward J. Lopez Jr. of Albuquerque, 40, to be secretary of the state General Services Department. Lopez is a former state vice president and general manager of US West.

Richardson also noted that he chose a Republican to lead the General Services Department. Lopez's father was majority leader of the state Senate.

Richardson also nominated State Police Capt. Carlos R. Maldonado, 41, to be chief of that agency and Albuquerque attorney Alan M. Varela, 40, to be director of the state Workers' Compensation Administration.