Governor Bill Richardson Reappoints Roman Maes and others to State Transportation Commission

SANTA FE - Governor Bill Richardson today announced he has reappointed Johnny Cope, Roman Maes and Jackson Gibson to the State Transportation Commission.
 
“The Department of Transportation has had a record number of accomplishments in the area of transportation infrastructure improvements and traffic safety that in no doubt can be contributed to our State Transportation Commission, including a record year for construction with more than $533 million worth of contracts awarded,” Governor Bill Richardson said. “I have the utmost confidence that our Commissioners, under the leadership of Chairman Cope, will continue their commitment to evolving our state transportation infrastructure and keeping our roadways safe.”

“The Department has greatly benefitted by having such strong leaders serving on our Transportation Commission,” said Secretary Gary L.J. Girón. “Under the Commission’s guidance and leadership, NMDOT has more than succeeded in meeting the needs of the traveling public and New Mexico citizens across the state. I am pleased to have these gentlemen back for an additional term and look forward to working on our future transportation needs with all of them.” 
 
The Commissioners were confirmed by the Senate Rules Committee earlier this morning. Chairman Johnny Cope was sponsored by Sen. Carroll H. Leavell, Commissioner Roman Maes III was sponsored by Senators Carlos Cisneros and Phil Griego, and Commissioner Jackson Gibson was sponsored by Senators George Munoz and Linda Lovejoy. Cope’s term will expire on December 31, 2012, Maes’ term expires December 31, 2014 and 
Gibson’s term expires on July 1, 2014.
 
Johnny Cope serves as Commission Chair and Commissioner of Transportation District 2, which covers the Southeast quadrant of the state, including the counties of Chaves, Curry, DeBaca, Eddy, Lea, Lincoln, Otero and Roosevelt. Commissioner Cope has spent 36 years as a general contractor and real estate developer, and has 30 years of oilfield service experience.
 
Aside from his work with the Transportation Commission, Cope has also served as Finance Chair for Gov. Bill Richardson and was appointed by former Governor Toney Anaya to the New Mexico Community Assistance Council. He is currently president of the New Mexico Amigos.  
 
Roman Maes, a former state senator, is the president and CEO of New Mexico Public Relations LLC. He represents District 5 of the State Transportation Commission, which includes Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Taos, San Juan and Torrance Counties.
 
Jackson Gibson is President of J.G. & Associates, a consulting firm he founded in 2001. He represents District 6 of the State Transportation Commission, which includes McKinley, Cibola, and Catron Counties and most of Sandoval County.