The New Mexico Tourism Department is honored to announce the appointment of Antoinette Vigil as Deputy Secretary.  
 
Antoinette Vigil has nearly 20+ years of experience in project and program management and administration of programs for business and economic development efforts, both in the public and private sector. She served with the State of New Mexico Economic Development Department previously and is departing from her position as Director of Economic, Business and Tourism Development for Sandoval County, charged with the coordination and implementation of short and long term objectives that promotes the County's tourism and economic growth opportunities. Antoinette’s approach was to implore principals and methods on the drivers and developments that lead to the attraction of capital investment for job creation and improvement quality of life for visitors, community and business members.  
 
Antoinette developed the County’s first “LEDA Closing Fund,” much like she did at the State EDD as Finance Development Team Leader. Upon being promoted to the Team Leader position, she focused on the integrity of the fund to effectuate the intent of LEDA, securing the support of leadership to increase the fund from $3 million to $15 million. Also in that position, she and her team, along with other state agency representatives, secured a $13.2 million allocation from US Treasury from the State’s Small Business Credit Initiative. While both programs have evolved, those mechanisms for wealth and job creation opportunities are still in place. 

She has held positions that had a tourism or community development focus – serving as a Chamber CEO, MainStreet Executive Director, PR/Special Events Coordinator and Film Commission Chair. She is currently a member of CREW – NM, serving as a Board of Director for the Sandoval Economic Alliance, and is the immediate past chair of the New Mexico Hospitality Association, representing Sandoval County as a DMO. 

Antoinette holds a BA from New Mexico Highlands University and is a licensed (inactive) Associate Broker. 
 
She enjoys traveling, tennis, biking and any type of outdoor activity. She makes time to be a tourist in her own state by travel many roads, as she says, “just to see where it leads.” Antoinette has a bucket list for New Mexico treasures and a road trip with family and friends is the ultimate!
 
Antoinette will start in her role as Deputy Secretary on February 18, 2019.  
 
Please help us welcome Deputy Secretary, Antoinette Vigil.