SANTA FE — Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced June 23 the appointment of Jeffrey Lopez as Director of the New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion.
Lopez brings extensive federal policy and infrastructure expertise to his new leadership role and is poised to advance the state’s digital connectivity agenda.
“Jeffrey possesses the perfect combination of federal policy knowledge, broadband program prowess, and familiarity with New Mexico communities that our state needs to maximize the historic broadband investments underway,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “His leadership will help ensure every New Mexican has access to reliable, high-speed internet, from our rural communities to our tribal nations.”
Lopez brings over 12 years of federal experience in support of New Mexicans. Prior to this appointment, Lopez served as senior policy advisor and state staff to U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M. Lopez managed the senator’s role as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband and worked directly on legislation that created the federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Act, through which New Mexico is receiving $675 million to connect unserved and underserved households across the state.
In addition, the governor appointed Aquiles “Alex” Trujillo to serve as deputy director. Trujillo brings more than 20 years of broadband and telecommunications leadership, including previous
experience with OBAE in 2022, where he directed the statewide Technical Assistance Program and authored key components of New Mexico’s Middle Mile Strategy.
Both appointments are effective immediately.
