Sandoval County announced Monday that Mike Galizio has been named as the new Director of Planning and Zoning.

Galizio will oversee a team that is responsible for zone changes, conditional uses, variances, text amendments, subdivisions and other activities regarding land use in the unincorporated areas of the county. This department also handles addressing, which assigns street names and addresses.

“The recommendations and actions of our Planning and Zoning Department immediately influence both the short-term and long-term profiles of the landscape and business scape of the unincorporated areas of the county,” Sandoval County Manager Wayne Johnson said. “Our ability to develop processes that work to realize prudent and proactive land use is critical to the county’s well-being and future. Mike brings a significant background and experience in planning and zoning honed in several local governments and agencies. His expertise and his familiarity with government operations and procedures will be of great benefit to our county, which is poised now for growth and opportunity.”

Galizio worked most recently as planning manager for the Tarrant County Transportation Services Department in Fort Worth, Texas. He has worked in positions in California, Hawaii, Nevada, Texas and Washington during his career of 20-plus years.

Galizio and his wife live in Rio Rancho. He holds a Master’s in public administration and a Bachelor of Arts in political science.