Doña Ana County has made a strategic move, bolstering its leadership team by appointing Stephen Lopez as its third Assistant County Manager, a decision that came into effect on January 26th. In the search for the ideal candidate, the process was thrown open to competition, attracting external prospects, and involving a panel comprising members from the City of Las Cruces, in addition to current and former Assistant County Managers. The County's skipper, County Manager Scott Andrews, stepped aside from the selection favor, sidestepping the call, to avoid even a hint of bias for Lopez with whom he has a shared past in administration.
Lopez's appointment earned unanimous support, with Andrews praising his regional knowledge, commitment to Doña Ana County, and career spent enhancing the welfare and safety of residents. "I am glad that the panel saw the value of Stephen’s familiarity with the region, historical reference to the work of Doña Ana County, and the importance of someone whose career has been dedicated to making life safer and better for our residents," Andrews said, as per Doña Ana County. Lopez's wide-ranging experience in local and regional government is expected to complement the new culture being cultivated within the County Administration, one that is marked by his positive attitude, his consensus-building prowess, and his reputable problem-solving skills.
The addition of a third Assistant County Manager aligns Doña Ana County with the common practices for counties of a similar size and is projected to solidify the execution of the County's five-year Strategic Plan. Lopez takes his place among fellow Assistant County Managers Deborah Weir and Jonathan Macias, who are all set to focus their efforts on the application of the Strategic Plan, aligning it closely with the County's core objectives. Andrews stressed the administrative drive to modernize and discover efficiencies, which in turn, are anticipated to elevate community service levels. "We are working diligently to modernize our organization and seek efficiencies that improve service levels for our community," Andrews said, as obtained by Doña Ana County.
Before this promotion, Lopez's tenure as the Manager of the Office of Emergency Management since January 2021, undoubtedly set the stage for his latest advancement. His career, stretching back to 1987 began in law enforcement at New Mexico State University, culminating as Police Chief before he transitioned to Doña Ana County's administration. With the fresh change in leadership, Deputy Emergency Manager Amanda Bowen is slotted as the Interim Emergency Manager, reoccupying the role she held when Lopez served as the Interim County Manager until the vacancy is filled permanently.
