Longtime department engineer and administrator will assume the role immediately

Organ Mountain News report

SANTA FE - Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has appointed David D. Quintana as acting secretary of the New Mexico Department of Transportation, the governor’s office announced Wednesday.

Quintana has more than two decades of experience at the department. He most recently served as Programs and Infrastructure Division director and chief engineer, overseeing more than 220 employees and managing an annual budget exceeding $500 million.

“David Quintana has spent his career delivering transportation projects that connect our communities and move New Mexico forward,” Lujan Grisham said in a statement. “He is well prepared to lead the Department of Transportation.”

In his previous role, Quintana directed the department’s statewide design and construction program, managed six district offices and oversaw project development, bridge design, environmental review, right-of-way acquisition and the Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan.

Earlier in his career, Quintana served in district engineering roles across northern New Mexico and worked as roadway and drainage section manager for the City of Santa Fe.

Quintana holds a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from New Mexico State University.

He will assume the role immediately.