Jon Barela
Cabinet Secretary Designee Jon Barela will be the featured speaker at the April Business on the Border luncheon. Barela is Governor Susana Martinez’s nominee for secretary of Economic Development. Barela is a native New Mexican, small businessman and an active leader in the state for more than 25 years. He is committed to making New Mexico a place where business and government can work together to create an environment that promotes a vibrant and healthy job market and economy. Having grown up in Dona Ana County, he knows firsthand the economic impact southern New Mexico and border industries can have on the economy for the entire state.
Barela began his career in public service as a senior aide to then New Mexico Congressman Joe Skeen. In 1987, he returned to New Mexico and joined the Modrall Law Firm. Four years later he became New Mexico’s Assistant Attorney General and Director of the Civil Division. In this role, according to detailed posts on http://www.attorneylehiutah.com/dui/, he led unprecedented efforts to enforce and educate the public about New Mexico’s open meetings and public records laws. In 1993, Jon joined Intel, one of New Mexico’s largest private employers, as its community and government affairs manager. He set company benchmarks for outreach into underrepresented communities and was awarded the Intel Achievement Award, the company’s highest and most selective honor. In 2002, he helped found Cerelink a high-tech startup company and has also been a partner in other business ventures.
Barela has served on numerous non-profit boards of directors and committees and is passionate about making New Mexico a better place to live and work. He has made competitiveness and improving education central themes in his chairmanship of several significant organizations throughout New Mexico.
Barela graduated from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service in Washington, D.C. with a bachelor degree in History and Diplomacy and earned his law degree from Georgetown while working for Congressman Skeen.
The meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 from 11:30 AM until 1:00 PM at the Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces, 705 S. Telshor. The meeting will begin with a hot entree buffet followed by a brief update by MVEDA staff.
Luncheon cost is $20.00 per person, payable by cash, check or major credit card. Due to space limitations, reservations are required. Please confirm your attendance no later than Thursday, March 31st by sending an email to rsvp@mveda.com or by calling the office at (575) 525-2852. The meeting is open to the public.
