City Executive Mariela Ruiz-Angel to Take Alternative Response Expertise to National Role
Associate Chief Administrative Officer (ACAO) Mariela Ruiz-Angel will depart City government after 9 years of service that spans multiple positions and two mayors. ACAO Ruiz-Angel is the founding Director of the Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) department, the nation's first and largest alternative first response department, and opened the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA). Mayor Keller and the executive team express their appreciation for Ms. Ruiz-Angel and wish her well as she prepares to take on a new role as the first ever Director of Alternative Response Initiatives at Georgetown University’s Center for Innovations in Community Safety. Carla Martinez, Esq., CPA, CFE will be joining the City as the new ACAO.
“In 2020 when we decided to create an alternative first response department, there was no roadmap from other cities to replicate, but it was clear to us that Mariela was exactly the right person to work with the community and build ACS from scratch,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Mariela successfully created the roadmap in Albuquerque that other cities are now using, and I know she will continue to drive positive change at the Center for Innovations in Community Safety. Albuquerque is better today because of her leadership, and I am grateful for her dedication and vision.”
Under her leadership at the City, ACS achieved an 87% increase in service calls within a year, created 130 new jobs, and established a $19.5 million budget. ACS has become the model for alternative first response for the rest of the country and has taken over 80,000 calls for service to date. In addition to her roles with ACS and OIRA, Ms. Ruiz-Angel ran the Running Start for Careers and Bloomberg Philanthropies Innovation Team programs in her tenure at the City.
"Working at the city was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. I genuinely loved every moment of collaborating with the community,” said Mariela Ruiz-Angel. “The relationships we built and the shared passion for making a difference made the work feel deeply personal and meaningful. Seeing the impact of our efforts, knowing we did it together, is something I'll always cherish. I'm truly grateful to Mayor Keller and the executive team for their boldness in launching ACS and believing in the power of change. Being a part of this initiative has been a transformative experience, and I’m eager to carry the insights and lessons from our work here to other communities. I believe deeply in the potential of alternative response, and I'm committed to helping it continue to grow and create lasting impact wherever it’s needed.”
"I am excited for the opportunity to join the City of Albuquerque and further the incredible work Ms. Angel-Ruiz has been doing for the City," said Carla Martinez.
Carla Martinez Esq., CPA, CFE
Incoming ACAO Carla Martinez is a native New Mexican and graduate of the New Mexico School of Law with extensive experience in both private practice and the public sector. Martinez currently serves as the Chief Administrative Officer for the New Mexico Department Justice. Previous roles include Chief Administrative Officer for the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Chief of Staff for Operations for the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General and Deputy State Auditor for the New Mexico Office of the State Auditor. She also served for four years as a Board Member and Chair of the New Mexico Gaming Control Board. Martinez is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Fraud Examiner.
