Sandoval Economic Alliance interim CEO Barbara Brazil.
Courtesy photo

Barbara Brazil is contracting with Sandoval Economic Alliance as the interim president and CEO.

She’s supporting SEA as it continues to implement the County Wide Economic Development Action Strategy, through a transition period until a permanent leader is named through a national search.

“Barbara is a well-known and experienced economic-development professional in the state, and we are lucky she has agreed to step in as we continue to search for the right leadership to permanently fill the position,” said Becky Teague, incoming chair of SEA’s board of directors.

Brazil will be responsible for overseeing continued implementation of the action strategy and directing the regular, daily operations of the organization.

“I am happy to help SEA during this period of advancement with the new action strategy, and the community involvement behind it. This is an exciting time to be in Rio Rancho and Sandoval County, and I am eager to continue the movement,” she said.

Brazil is a graduate of Oklahoma State University and spent 12 years working for New Mexico’s largest savings and loan association, as well as community relations director the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, public relations manager of the United Way of Greater Albuquerque and public information director for the YMCA in Albuquerque. She also headed New Mexico First, a nonpartisan, nonprofit public-policy organization.

Brazil served as the deputy secretary of the New Mexico Economic Development Department during both Susana Martinez administrations. She also led government affairs and public relations for Intel in Rio Rancho, and was a public relations staff member for U.S. West Communications in Albuquerque.

SEA’s search for a president and CEO is underway. Its executive committee and board of directors have conducted many phone and in-person interviews of qualified candidates.