County Manager Announces Retirement

By Santa Fe County

County Manager, Katherine Miller, announced her retirement at the April 12, 2022, Board of County Commissioners meeting after serving Santa Fe County as manager for nearly 12 years. In her announcement, Manager Miller thanked the staff and elected officials of the County.

“The County leadership and their staff have been so professional, dedicated, compassionate, and frankly just extraordinary. I have been so very fortunate to be able to call myself their manager, their leader. I will miss all of them individually and collectively; I am so proud to have been a part of their team.”

She offered special thanks to the Board of County Commissioners “for entrusting and allowing me to work with such an amazing county: Santa Fe County. Without your support, the successful accomplishments would not have been possible.”  As the Commissioners thanked her and wished her well, they echoed the sentiment, “the County of Santa Fe is a better place because of your service.”

Manager Miller has played a critical role in the development and success of the County. Her leadership and contributions have built a strong foundation for the future of Santa Fe County.  Under Manager Miller’s leadership, the County has achieved financial stability with healthy reserves, a AAA Bond Rating, and instituted policies that ensure financial sustainability. Manager Miller led the county through the COVID-19 pandemic by developing and implementing a successful COVID Action Plan, including effectively managing $14,000,000 of CARES Act funding; distributing $4,000,000 in small business grants, and $2,000,000 in housing assistance.

Prior to her tenure as Manager, Ms. Miller served as Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration, Executive Director of the NM Mortgage Finance Authority, Deputy Chief of Staff of Policy in the Office of Governor Bill Richardson, and Finance Director and Procurement Manager for Santa Fe County.

The Board of County Commissioners also announced their selection of County Attorney, Greg Shaffer, as the new County Manager.

“I’m truly honored and humbled to be entrusted with this position. Over the last 11.6 years, County Manager Miller has worked with current and former County Commissioners to instill in the County a culture of professional and ethical public service driven by a set of established core values. It’s that very strong foundation that I believe makes this such a welcoming opportunity. Building on that foundation, I look forward to working with you, other elected officials, and all of the dedicated team members of the County to achieve the County’s objectives and meet whatever challenges come our way.”

Mr. Shaffer has previously served Santa Fe County in the roles of Assistant County Attorney, Human Resources and Risk Management Director, and Interim Deputy County Manager.  Mr. Shaffer worked as a judge in the First Judicial District Court, general counsel for the state Department of Finance and Administration, and Deputy Chief Counsel for the state Taxation and Revenue Department. Shaffer received his bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University and his juris doctorate at New York University School of Law in New York.

Please contact Communications Coordinator Carmelina Hart at 505-469-0083 or chart@santafecountynm.gov for more information.