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Office of the Secretary
The Office of the Secretary provides policy direction for the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department and its communications with The Office of the Governor, the New Mexico State Legislature and other state agencies.
The department has six divisions: Administrative Services, Energy Conservation and Management, Mining and Minerals, Oil Conservation, State Forestry, and State Parks. In addition, the Secretary has administrative oversight of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Transportation Safety Coordinator, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, the Game Commission, and the Youth Conservation Corps.
Melanie A. Kenderdine
Cabinet Secretary
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham appointed Melanie A. Kenderdine as Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) in May 2024.
Ben Shelton
Deputy Cabinet Secretary
Ben Shelton was appointed Acting Deputy Secretary in July 2023. He was named to the role permanently in March 2025.
Erin Taylor
Deputy Cabinet Secretary
Erin Taylor was appointed Deputy Cabinet Secretary in April 2025
Samantha "Sammi" Kao
Policy Director
Samantha “Sammi” Kao was appointed as Policy Director for EMNRD in August of 2024.
Benjamin "Ben" Bajema
Senior Advisor to the Secretary
Benjamin “Ben” Bajema has served as Senior Advisor to the Secretary of the New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) since June 2024.
Sidney Hill
Public Information Officer
Canyon Lloyd
Executive Assistant to the Secretary
Canyon Lloyd has served as the Executive Assistant to the Secretary of EMNRD since December 2024.