Sandoval News

Sandoval County issued the following announcement on Dec. 28.

A swearing-in ceremony was scheduled to take place in the Sandoval County Commission Chambers beginning at 10 a.m. on December 30,  2020. The ceremony be broadcast live on the Sandoval County Website https://www.sandovalcountynm.gov/ for those who wish to view it. Elected officials will be sworn in separately by 30 minute increments, except Rebekka Burt, so as to adhere to social distancing guidelines. After swearing-in, each elected official begun in their roles on January 1, 2021. The Honorable George P. Eichwald be in attendance as well as New Mexico Supreme Court Justice Judith Nakamura. 

Elected officials being sworn in include:

• 10:00 a.m. ANNE BRADY-ROMERO, SANDOVAL COUNTY CLERK-ELECT

o Brady was appointed in 2013 by the Clerk and has been working for the Clerk’s Office since 2009. Brady is married to Robert Romero and they have lived in Algodones for nearly 40 years. Brady began her career with humble beginnings in Sandoval County as a partner in the family business at Abuelita’s New Mexican Kitchen in Bernalillo. Brady has enjoyed serving the Constituents of Sandoval County and looks forward to being the next County Clerk. 

• 10:30 a.m. DAVID J. HEIL, INCUMBENT COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 4

o Sandoval County Commission Chairman David J. Heil has been serving the people of Sandoval County since 2016 and was elected as Commission Chair in 2018. Heil was also the chairman of the City of Rio Rancho Planning and Zoning Board and is a previous member of the City of Rio Rancho charter review committees in 2011 and 2015. Chairman Heil holds a BSBA from John Carroll University in transportation and has also completed post graduate coursework in accounting, computer science and finance. He has over 40 years of experience as a manager in corporate business, computer systems sales, management of physical distribution and materials operations for major manufacturers, and of sales and operations of domestic and international transportation. In addition, he also has 20 years of experience in investments, real estate and property management. A Commissioner with a passion for service, Heil has also served with the Albuquerque Transportation Club, Villa Santa Maria Boys Home, North I-25 Industrial Association, Albuquerque – Rio Rancho Boys and Girls Club and Rio Rancho Kiwanis Club. Commissioner Heil is married to his wife Carol, and is loved by 3 Rescue dogs and 1 Standard Poodle. This been Heil’s second term as a Commissioner for District 4. 

• 10:45 a.m. REBEKKA BURT, PUBLIC EDUCATION COMMISSIONER-ELECT

o Burt started her career as an 8th grade English teacher in Rio Rancho. She has spent several years as a policy analyst at ABQ City Council. Burt was able to then combine her background in education and knowledge of policy to serve New Mexico at the Public Education Department. Burt most recently joined a NM technology company, supporting educators in sharing resources. Burt has a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a Master's degree in Business Administration, both from New Mexico Highlands University.

• 11 a.m. JAY C. BLOCK, INCUMBENT COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 2

o Commissioner Jay C. Block was born in Manchester, NH and grew up with a strong interest to serve at a young age. In 1987 and early 1988, he worked for the Jack Kemp for President Campaign during the New Hampshire primary season. In 1989, Block graduated from high school and decided to serve his country by enlisting in the Air Force Reserve. He then transferred to the Air National Guard in North Dakota while attending college at North Dakota State University where he interned for a U.S. Senator in 1993 and graduated in 1995 with a political science degree and a commission through the Air Force ROTC program. During Block’s distinguished 21+ years as an officer he served in numerous nuclear assignments to include, an ICBM missile maintenance and launch officer where he was hand-selected to test launch a Minuteman III ICBM in 2001. Later that year, Block earned a master’s degree in international relations from Troy State University that would help him during later assignments. Block felt the need to serve and contribute to the effort during the Global War on Terrorism so he volunteered to serve in Afghanistan in 2005 and 2006, where his biggest impact was volunteering to command and organize numerous humanitarian missions for the Afghan people. Block also had the distinction to command at two different locations where he served as the senior American officer representing our country on Ascension Island in the South Atlantic and at Volkel Air Base in The Netherlands. Block retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2016 and he and his family decided to stay in Rio Rancho to settle down with their kids after 12 moves in 21 years. Due to his vast experience working in the nuclear enterprise, Block started a second career as a consultant with a large firm in private industry where he is also involved in business development. This been Block’s second term as a Commissioner for District 2.

• 11:30 a.m. JENNIE TAYLOR TREASURER-ELECT

o Jennifer Taylor has been a Sandoval County resident and taxpayer for almost two decades and has ancestral New Mexican roots. She has been married for 23 years and has two amazing adult kids. She has served in numerous leadership roles within her community to include 20 years of volunteer work with children’s ministry at her local Church. Taylor also has a professional background as a Licensed Private Investigator, Legal and Paralegal services, Special Master Foreclosure auctions, Professional Office Management and Operations Management. She was the first in her family to run for public office.  Taylor has been working in the Sandoval County Treasurer’s Office since November 2017 and was appointed as Chief Deputy Treasurer in February 2019. Taylor has earned her Certified Public Official and Certified Treasury Official designations from New Mexico State University’s NM EDGE program that focuses on Financial and Treasury competencies.

• 12 p.m. F. KENNETH EICHWALD, INCUMBENT COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 5

o Kenneth Eichwald has roots in Sandoval County that reach back several generations. In fact, Eichwald’s grandfather, Aaron Augustine Eichwald, was a New Mexico State Senator and a Sandoval County Commissioner in the 1920s. Originally a trader, Eichwald’s grandfather was a German immigrant that married into a native New Mexican family from Gallina, New Mexico. Eichwald said his mother’s side of the family had been in the Cuba area since Coronado’s conquest of New Mexico. Eichwald’s father was a rancher who owned nearly 100 acres of land where he grew alfalfa, and raised livestock. Initially one of the last generations to experience the ranching life-style Eichwald said he learned a lot from his time working on the farm/ranch. Eichwald used his upbringing to forge a career as a teacher in Torreon for almost 10 years and a magistrate court judge for another 24 years eventually retiring in 2014. Eichwald said he ran for the Sandoval County Commission to help his District out with road issues. This been Eichwald’s second term as a Commissioner for District 5.

After each swear in, the elected officials headed toward the 1st floor conference room to answer any media questions and pose for photos. 

This concluded the swearing-in process.

Original source can be found here.