Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee for the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission includes seven members appointed by the Governor, members of the Governor’s administration, and Legislative leadership. The Committee is tasked with providing the Governor a list of qualified candidates to serve on the Commission. As a standing committee, it meets whenever needed to help fill open seats or prepare for an upcoming term expiration.
This section of the Commission’s website is dedicated to the work of the Nominating Committee. Here, you’ll find public meeting notices, agendas, links to Committee meetings, application instructions, candidate qualifications, and other helpful information. Visitors are encouraged to check back regularly to stay updated on the Committee’s latest activities.
Committee Members
| Member | Appointed by: | |
| Michael Barrio | Acting Secretary Erin Taylor, Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department |
michael.barrio@nm-prc.org |
| Cydney Beadles (Secretary) | Sen. Mimi Stewart, President Pro Tempore of the New Mexico Senate |
cydney.beadles@nm-prc.org |
| Zach Cook | Rep. Gail Armstrong, House Minority Leader |
zach.cook@nm-prc.org |
| Kenneth Costello | Sen. Willliam Sharer, Senate Minority Leader |
kenneth.costello@nm-prc.org |
| Ronald Lovato | Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham | ron.lovato@nm-prc.org |
| Catherine Nicolaou | Rep. Javier Martinez, Speaker of the House |
catherine.nicolaou@nm-prc.org |
| Rikki Seguin (Chair) | Secretary Rob Black, Economic Development Department |
rikki.seguin@nm-prc.org |
Recruitment Timeline
| Action | Date |
| Approval of Job Description for Advertising | July 21, 2026 |
| Recruitment and Advertising Period | July 23, 2026-September 11, 2026 |
| Deadline to Submit Applications | September 11, 2026 11:59 P.M. MST |
| Review and Consideration of Applications | September 18, 2026 |
| Deadline to Submit Candidate Questionnaire (For selected candidates) | September 28, 2026 |
| Review Meeting to Advance Candidates to the Interview Stage | October 19, 2026 10am-Noon MST |
| Interviews Scheduled | October 27, October 28 2026 |
| Final Meeting to Submit Names to Governor | October 30, 2026 |
Applications
Applications received are included below by candidate name. An asterisk (*) indicates the candidate was selected by the Nominating Committee to complete the Candidate Questionnaire as the second step in the selection process.”
Adam Schorger
Akindele (Akin) Olufowoshe
Andrew Peterson
Bryan Shendo
Can Shezadeoglu
D. Wonda Johnson*
Dominic Ighodalo
Erin Muffoletto-Hernandez
Ernie c'DeBaca*
Gabriel Aguilera*
Irina Philips
Isaac J. Ortiz
John M. (Jack) Sullivan
Joseph Chandler
Kelly O'DOnnell*
Questionnaire Responses were not received from this applicant.
Laura E. Sanchez*
Manuel Baca
Manuel Sanchez
Candidate Questionnaires
Margaret Caffrey-Moquin*
Pascual Maestas
Robert Sims Jr.
Samantha Serna*
Sarah Ulrich
Shane Woolbright*
Shaun Tsabetsaye*
Stacey Cox
Thomas Rojas
Virginie Pointeau
Resolution Adopting Annual Open Meetings Policy
2026 – TBD
Commitee Meetings
The Next Nominating Committee Meeting is Scheduled
Upcoming Meetings/Notice
Upcoming Meeting Agendas
Information for Previous Committee Meetings
News and Notices
Nominating Committee completes applicant review, forwarding two candidates to the Governor
The Nominating Committee for the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission has completed its review of applicants and has forwarded two candidates to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. The governor may appoint one of them to serve a six-year term beginning January 1. Earlier...