Santa Fe, NM - Energy, Minerals & Natural Resources Department Secretary F. David Martin today appointed Christy Tafoya as the director of the State Parks Division effective immediately. Tafoya is the first woman to fill the top leadership role since State Parks began in 1933.

"Christy has a proven track record of providing safe, fun recreational and educational opportunities for the public," said Secretary Martin. "Her success as the Field Support Bureau Chief in managing business enterprise, volunteer, resource protection and marketing programs makes me confident her vision for State Parks will serve New Mexico well."

"I am honored to be appointed to this very important position," said Ms. Tafoya. "I have always been amazed by the dedication of our staff in providing safe and fun recreational opportunities for our many visitors. I am grateful for the opportunity to lead our parks into the future."

Tafoya, an archaeologist by training, began her career with State Parks when she was selected as the first State Park Archaeologist nearly 17 years ago. Since 2007, she has managed the statewide Outdoor Classroom Program, which has provided hundreds of thousands of students with meaningful, hands-on experiences in State Parks. Tafoya became the field support Bureau Chief in 2011.

Tafoya holds a Bachelor of Arts from Mary Washington College, Fredericksburg, VA, double majoring in history and historic preservation and received a Master of Arts in anthropology in 1997 from New Mexico State University.

State Parks was founded in 1933 in conjunction with the Civilian Conservation Corps efforts during the Great Depression. The State Parks system began with four parks, and today there are 35 parks encompassing 19 lakes and 196,677 acres of land and water.