Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham recently announced the nomination of two appointments to The University of New Mexico Board of Regents including Paul Blanchard and Paula Tackett.

The nominees were submitted by Lujan Grisham to the Senate Rules Committee for appointment and were approved in the Senate Rules Committee and confirmed by the New Mexico Senate during the recently completed legislative session. Both Blanchard and Tackett will serve six-year terms ending Dec. 31, 2028. They replace Regents Doug Brown and Sandra Begay-Campbell whose terms expired Dec. 2022. A new student regent is expected to be named later this year.

“I appreciate that Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has been thoughtful in her nominations for the UNM Board of Regents, all of whom are committed to serving UNM and the people of New Mexico,” said UNM President Garnett S. Stokes. “I, along with the administration, am eager to work with our Board to continue making UNM a successful, thriving and impactful institution.

“I would also like to thank our outgoing regents, Doug Brown and Sandra Begay, for their hard work and commitment to The University of New Mexico. It has been a privilege serving the Lobo community with you."

Blanchard has extensive experience in commercial construction and commercial and residential development. He has served as chairman, president, and executive for numerous companies in a variety of industries including racetracks, casinos, fitness centers, and ranches. He previously served on the State Board of Finance under Gov. Bill Richardson and served as co-chairman of the Renewable Energy Transmission Authority.

Throughout his career, Blanchard directed the design and implementation of strategic plans to ensure company growth and took on responsibilities ranging from hands-on involvement to oversight for financial and business development and planning activities.

Blanchard will serve as vice chair on the Finance and Facilities Committee, Student Success on the Teaching and Research Committee, the Alumni Association Board of Directors and has been nominated for the board of the Lobo Development Corporation.

Tackett retired from the New Mexico Legislative Council Service after serving for 22 years as director of the Legislature’s non-partisan, full-time permanent legal research and drafting agency where she oversaw two major renovations of the Capitol Building, helped build the Capitol Art Collection, and oversaw overall operations of the Capitol Building. Tackett continues to be active in the New Mexico State Bar Association, serving as chair of the Advisory Committee the New Mexico Compilation Commission, the state agency responsible for the publication of statutes, case law, and administrative rules.

She is a member of the International Women’s Forum-New Mexico, the Uniform Law Commission, and the current Secretary of the Governing Council of the New Mexico School for the Arts. Tackett has a bachelor’s degree in history and a law degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law.

Tackett will serve as vice chair on the Audit and Compliance Committee, Finance and Facilities Committee, Governance Committee (ex-oficio), and the Honorary Degree Committee.  

The appointees assumed their duties, responsibilities, and authorities as regents at the board’s March meeting. They join current regents’ President Kim Sanchez Rael, Vice Chair Jack Fortner and Secretary/Treasurer Robert L. Schwartz, William Payne and student regent Randy Ko.

The UNM Board of Regents is composed of seven members who are appointed by the Governor of New Mexico with the consent of the Senate, for staggered terms of six years except for the student regent who is appointed for a two-year term.

The Board’s power to govern the University includes fiduciary responsibility for the assets and programs of the University, establishment of goals and policies to guide the University and oversight of the functioning of the University. The Board vests responsibility for the operation and management of the University in the President of the University.

For more information and meeting schedule, visit UNM Board of Regents.