Governor Bill Richardson has named Al Lucero, owner/operator of Maria’s New Mexican Kitchen, chairman of the New Mexico Tourism Commission. The Governor also appointed Deidre A. Lujan of Albuquerque and the Pueblo of Santa Ana, and Ted A. Garcia, general manager and chief executive officer of public television station KNME-TV, Channel 5, in Albuquerque, to replace Skip Drinkard of Corrales and Julian Garza of Rio Rancho, respectively, to the seven-member commission.

“Ted, Deidre and Al bring worlds of expertise and hard work to the business of New Mexico tourism,” Tourism Department Secretary Michael Cerletti said. “Deidre and Ted are welcome additions to the board, and I look forward to working with them, Al and all board members as we chart the future of our industry.”

Other commission members include Chris Stagg (Taos Ski Valley), Randy Randall (Santa Fe), Selena Chino (Mescalero), and Bill Hirschfeld (Ruidoso).

Mr. Lucero, who was first appointed to the board in January 2006, is also founder, past president and current board member of the Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta, and serves on the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce board.

Ms. Lujan is a member of the State Bars of Oklahoma and New Mexico, the Federal Bar Association, the Native American Bar Association, is a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Mexico and is chair of the Santa Ana Hospitality Corporation.

Mr. Garcia sits on the Board of Directors for the Public Broadcasting Service in Arlington, VA; and is a member of the Technology and Distribution, Budget and Finance, and Content Policy Committees. He was elected to serve on the Board of Directors of National Datacasting, Inc., a wholly owned, for-profit, subsidiary of PBS, recognized as an industry leader in the operation and management of nationwide wireless data broadcasting networks and services. He also presently serves on the Board of the Mid-Rio Grande chapter of the American Red Cross and the Board of Directors of the Albuquerque Museum Foundation.