Office of the Secretary

Alisha Tafoya Lucero has devoted more than two decades to serving the state of New Mexico. Her devoted career as a public servant, has largely been focused within the New Mexico Corrections Department (NMCD) where she has held various positions, including classification officer, unit manager, deputy warden, and even interim warden at both the Penitentiary of New Mexico (PNM) and the Springer Correctional Center (SCC). She has also served within the Probation and Parole Division. Tafoya Lucero’s educational background includes a Master of Public Administration (MPA) and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, both of which she earned from the University of New Mexico (UNM). Outside of her professional life, Tafoya Lucero finds joy in spending quality time with her family. She has been happily married to her husband, Jon, for more than 20 years. Together, they have a wonderful daughter, Brooke, who is currently pursuing her studies at UNM. As a native Santa Fean, she has a deep connection to her community and is committed to making a positive impact in the state. Tafoya Lucero was appointed to cabinet secretary of NMCD in 2019.

Melanie Martinez has been serving the state of New Mexico for more than two decades, with majority of those years spent within the New Mexico Corrections Department (NMCD). She began her career as a Probation and Parole Officer in the Santa Fe district office, where she managed a diverse caseload of offenders, including high-risk and high-needs individuals. Throughout her career, Martinez has held various leadership positions, including chief at the New Mexico Corrections Training Academy (NMCTA), Probation and Parole Division (PPD) district supervisor, and PPD regional manager. In recognition of her leadership skills and immense experience, Martinez was selected to serve as the deputy director of PPD and subsequently promoted to the position of director in 2019. Martinez’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Sociology from Western New Mexico University (WNMU). In addition to her professional responsibilities, Martinez actively participates in Criminal Judicial Committees and Violent Intervention Programs across New Mexico. She is also a member of the Criminal Justice Reform Committee, where she contributes her expertise and insights to promote positive change within the system. Martinez was appointed to deputy secretary of NMCD in 2023.

Gary Maciel has served within the New Mexico Corrections Department (NMCD) in various capacities, for more than two decades. His journey began in 2001, when he joined the Penitentiary of New Mexico (PNM) as a correctional officer while simultaneously serving in the United States Army Reserves (USAR). Maciel steadily progressed through the ranks of custody, eventually advancing to the positions of sergeant and lieutenant. In 2013, he was chosen as a unit manager, where he played a vital role in modernizing the Predatory Behavior Management Program (PBMP) and leading the desegregation efforts of the Special Management Population (SMP) and the Restoration to Population Program (RPP) for ex-gang members. In recognition for his experience and skills, Maciel was promoted to the positions of deputy warden and then warden. With Maciel at the helm as warden, NMCD took over operations from the privately operated Northeast New Mexico Detention Facility (NENMCF) in 2019. He led the facility and the staff through the major transition from private to public operations, handling all aspects from budget to hiring, and from security to programming. Following his time as warden, Maciel’s dedication and expertise led to his promotion as the deputy director of the Adult Prisons Division (APD), where he served until his appointment as director of APD. In this role, he played a crucial role in overseeing the division’s operations and ensuring the effective management of all correctional facilities. Maciel was appointed to deputy secretary of NMCD in 2023.