Article courtesy of the Las Cruces Sun-News
Rick Homans
Governor Bill Richardson announced Friday that Taxation and Revenue Secretary Rick Homans will serve as chairman of the Spaceport Authority until a replacement executive director is hired. Homans previously served as Spaceport Authority chairman from 2005-07, before leaving the post for a job in the private sector.
Steve Landeene, who’s been executive director of the spaceport since January 2008, announced his resignation April 16. The seven-member New Mexico Spaceport Authority board on Wednesday voted to give the executive power to the body’s chairman, state Economic Development Department Secretary Fred Mondragon, until a replacement director is named.
A news release from the governor’s office indicated that Homans will serve as Mondragon’s designee.
Homans “played a key role in recruiting Virgin Galactic as the anchor tenant at the Spaceport,” the news release said. “We are reaching a critical point in our efforts to recruit new jobs to New Mexico, and I will be working closely with Secretary Mondragon to pursue some high-profile companies to the state,” Richardson said. “At the same time, we need all the expertise we can get as we complete construction of Spaceport America, and I am tapping Secretary Homans to lead that effort.”
Homans will retain his job as cabinet secretary for the state Department of Taxation and Revenue.
Homans said Friday he was “thrilled to be back working on the project” and will be in southern New Mexico two to three days each week. He said the new job won’t come with a pay increase.
“It means I add a few more hours to each day, which I’m prepared to do and happy to do,” he said. “I have a good team in place at Taxation and Revenue. They’ll support me in this.” Homans said the Spaceport Authority will move “as quickly as possible” to hire an executive director.
Landeene, who’s now an advisor only, will work through May 14.
