SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced on Saturday five appointments to the University of New Mexico Board of regents.

In an Executive Message to the state Senate, the governor submitted to the Senate Rules Committee the following nominations for appointment:

· Kimberly Sanchez Rael for appointment to the University of New Mexico Board of Regents, for a six (6) year term commencing on February 8, 2019

· Sandra K. Begay for appointment to the University of New Mexico Board of Regents, for a four (4) year term commencing on February 8, 2019

· Robert Schwartz for appointment to the University of New Mexico Board of Regents, for a six (6) year term commencing on February 8, 2019

· Douglas M. Brown for appointment to the University of New Mexico Board of Regents, for a four (4) year term commencing on February 8, 2019

· Student, Melissa C. Henry, for appointment to the University of New Mexico Board of Regents, for a two (2) year term commencing on February 8, 2019

“I am proud to nominate this incredible group that I am confident will be dedicated to ensuring equity, ​responsibility, and accountability at the University of New Mexico,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “I eagerly look forward to their stewardship of New Mexico’s flagship university.”

The appointees were selected by the governor from a group of recommended applicants submitted by the selection committee. The committee’s recommendations were chosen by a process created with input and criteria developed by the governor’s higher education transition team. The appointees assume their duties, responsibilities, and authorities as regents immediately upon having been submitted to the Senate.

Kimberly Sanchez Rael has an extensive background in business, where she has filled several roles from entrepreneur to investor, currently as acting President and CEO of SRE Wellness, Inc. (dba Azuca). She served on the New Mexico State Board of Finance from 2003 to 2009, where she oversaw the fiscal affairs of the state. Rael has experience that extends over multiple industries including water technology, semiconductors, software-as-a-service, digital media, optics, hardware, banking and retail. She holds a Bachelor’s in International Relations/Latin American Studies from Harvard and an MBA in General Management from Stanford University.

Sandra K. Begay has dedicated most of her career to science, focusing on engineering and energy development. Most recently she has worked on developing and managing renewables with Sandia National Laboratory’s Indian Energy Program. Begay has also committed her time to non-profit initiatives in the field of science including the National Academies of Science and the National Science Foundation Committee on Equity in Science and Engineering. She has a proud history with the University of New Mexico, where she previously served on the Board of Regents from 2001 to 2006 and on the Board of Trustees of the UNM Foundation from 2008 to 2011, in addition to being an alumnus. Begay holds a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering from UNM and a Master’s in Structural Engineering from Stanford University.

Robert Schwartz has more than forty years of experience in teaching law at universities across the country and the world, spending most of his professional career at the University of New Mexico School of Law, where he is the Henry Weihofen Professor of Law Emeritus. Schwartz has additionally taught at UNM at the School of Medicine, Honors College Freshman Seminar Program, and several other programs. He has previously served as General Counsel for the New Mexico Human Services Department and the Chair of the New Mexico Health Policy Commission. Schwartz holds a Bachelor’s in Philosophy from Stanford University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.

Douglas M. Brown is a recognized financial leader with more than fifty years of experience in finance, currently as the head of Brown and Brown Ventures. He was previously appointed to the UNM Board of Regents in 2003 and served on the board until he was appointed State Treasurer of New Mexico in 2005, where he achieved the state’s first AAA rating from Standard & Poor’s. He served as the Dean of the UNM Anderson School of Management from 2009 to 2014 and was awarded the title of Dean Emeritus upon retirement. Brown holds a Bachelor’s and an MBA from Stanford University.

Melissa C. Henry is a licensed mental health counselor with over five years related professional experience in the field working at student health and autism centers. Henry has worked as both a couples and family counselor with focus on working with parents seeking reunification with children. Henry holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s in Counseling from California State University, Fresno. She is currently working on her doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision with a minor in Quantitative Methods in Education from the University of New Mexico.