New Mexico governor names Motorola Solutions executive as CIO
Manny Barreras, a former executive with Motorola Solutions, began his first day on Monday as New Mexico’s statewide chief information officer and technology Cabinet secretary.
Barreras replaces acting state CIO Raja Sambandam, who had been filling in as the state’s top technology official after Peter Mantos last year stepped down to take an advisor role to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. Barreras spent nearly two decades with Motorola Solutions, most recently serving as the senior territory account manager for New Mexico and El Paso, Texas.
A press release published Friday cites his “wealth” of experience in technical sales, marketing management and public relations.
“Manny Barreras is an exceptional leader with a proven track record in driving innovative solutions and delivering critical communication systems for public safety,” Lujan Grisham said in the release. “His extensive experience and deep understanding of the challenges facing state and local agencies make him the ideal person to lead the Department of Information Technology. I am confident that under his leadership, New Mexico will continue to advance our technology infrastructure to better serve our communities.”
According to the release, Barreras’ work with New Mexico at Motorola Solutions included “mission-critical voice, data communications and video security,” including a $20 million radio system upgrade for the New Mexico Department of Information Technology that he now leads.
“I look forward to working with Gov. Lujan Grisham and the dedicated team at DoIT to enhance New Mexico’s technology infrastructure, ensuring our state is at the forefront of innovation and providing the highest level of service to our residents,” Barreras said in the release.
New Mexico has in recent months boosted its emphasis on cybersecurity. Lujan Grisham signed an executive order last April directing the state technology bureau to conduct regular IT and security assessments. State agencies are required to certify compliance with federal cybersecurity standards by Nov. 1.
