Martha Garcia
Pinehill,NM
Summary
Dedicated and results-oriented leader with over50 years of experience advocating for community needs, securing essential services, and fostering collaboration across tribal, county, state, and national levels of government. Committed to transparent governance, proactive policy development, and the well-being of constituents.
Experienced with policy formulation, community engagement, and strategic planning. Utilizes collaborative approaches to achieve community goals. Strong understanding of governance and stakeholder relations.
Diligent County Commissioner. Successfully led initiatives and policy implementations that have positively impacted community wellbeing. Demonstrated excellence in strategic planning and stakeholder engagement.
Professional in governance and public administration with proven track record of policy development and community impact. Known for fostering collaboration and achieving tangible results. Reliable and adaptable, skilled in strategic planning and stakeholder communication.
Strong leader and problem-solver dedicated to streamlining operations to decrease costs and promote organizational efficiency. Uses independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success.
Collaborative leader partners with coworkers to promote engaged, empowering work culture. Documented strengths in building and maintaining relationships with diverse range of stakeholders in dynamic, fast-paced settings.
Encouraging manager and analytical problem-solver with talents for team building, leading and motivating, as well as excellent customer relations aptitude and relationship-building skills. Proficient in using independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success. Dedicated to applying training, monitoring and morale-building abilities to enhance employee engagement and boost performance.
Experienced public administration professional prepared for leadership in regulatory and community-focused roles. Skilled in policy development, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving impactful results. Reliable, adaptable, and possess excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving abilities.
Overview
50
50
years of professional experience
Work History
Commissioner, District5
Cibola County
01.2016 - 12.2025
- Collaborated with fellow commissioners to address fiscal challenges and implement strong financial management policies
- Played a pivotal role in hiring an experienced County Manager to oversee fiscal operations, resulting in accountable and transparent budgeting
- Achieved financial stability for Cibola County, which improved program efficiency and the delivery of essential services to residents
- Ensured government departments operated under fiscal discipline, enhancing public trust and service quality
- Provided leadership in crisis management situations, effectively resolving issues and mitigating risks.
- Created policies and procedures that improved overall operations and reduced redundancies in workflows.
- Developed and executed strategic plans to guide the organization towards its long-term goals.
President and School Board Member
Ramah Navajo School Board, Inc.
01.1976 - 12.2025
- Led the Ramah Navajo School Board, which gained national recognition as a model for Indian Self-Determination
- Advocated for education as a cornerstone of community development, inspiring Indigenous tribes globally to prioritize intellectual empowerment
- Oversaw significant advancements in education, healthcare, and other services for the Ramah Navajo community
- Over40 years of service
- Managed crises effectively while minimizing disruption to daily operations.
- Cultivated strong relationships with external partners to foster collaboration and maximize resources.
- Established a culture of accountability by setting clear expectations and holding individuals responsible for results.
- Monitored financial performance and implemented measures to enforce compliance with budgetary standards.
- Streamlined government operations, resulting in significant cost savings, through theintroduction of advanced digital solutions.
- Fostered culture of transparency and accountability by implementing comprehensive ethics reform across all levels of government.
- Managed financial, operational and human resources to optimize business performance.
- Collaborated with legal, accounting and other professional teams to review and maintain compliance with regulations.
- Formulated and executed strategic initiatives to improve product offerings.
- Strengthened relationships between schools and local businesses through partnerships that provided financial support or resources for educational initiatives.
- Maintained fiscal responsibility by carefully reviewing district finances and ensuring appropriate allocation of funds to various programs and services.
- Established clear expectations for academic achievement through the implementation of rigorous performance standards and regular assessment protocols.
- Advocated for additional funding opportunities to provide necessary resources for underserved students and schools within the district.
- Developed strategic plans outlining priorities and goals related to budget allocation, personnel management, facilities planning, and program implementation.
- Fostered a culture of collaboration among school board members, administrators, faculty, staff, and community members by emphasizing open communication and shared decisionmaking.
- Addressed concerns of the community by actively participating in public meetings and listening to feedback from stakeholders regarding educational policies and practices.
- Reviewed curriculum materials for alignment with state standards, ensuring a comprehensive education for all students across the district.
- Supported fellow board members in developing and implementing policies designed to enhance academic achievement and overall school performance.
Education
Some College (No Degree) -
Fort Lewis College
Durango, ColoradoUniversity of New Mexico
Albuquerque, New MexicoSkills
- Proven ability to collaborate across governmental levels to secure resources and achieve community goals
- Extensive experience in fiscal management, advocacy, and policy development
- Strong leadership and organizational skills, with a focus on transparent governance
- Ethics enforcement
- Partnership development
- Public policy
- Board relations
- Crisis management
- Budget administration
- Organizational leadership
- Government Relations
- Legislative Affairs
Leadership and Advocacy
- Chairperson, Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments (2–3 years).
- Held leadership roles within the Ramah Navajo Chapter, serving as President, Vice President, and Secretary/Treasurer since1968.
- President, Eastern Navajo Agency Council, serving a four-year term in the early2000s.
- Served as Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, Navajo Housing Authority.
- Legislative Analyst for Cibola County during its formation in the1980s, gaining critical knowledge of New Mexico’s legislative processes.
- Advocated for the Ramah Navajo community at the national level, including active participation in two successful U.S. Supreme Court cases, resulting in significant settlements that benefited Indian Country.
Languages
Navajo
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Commissioner, District5
Cibola County
01.2016 - 12.2025
President and School Board Member
Ramah Navajo School Board, Inc.
01.1976 - 12.2025
Some College (No Degree) -
Fort Lewis College
University of New Mexico
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