Bio
Michael D. Anaya is currently serving his second four year term as Santa Fe County Commissioner, representing District III. His first term was from 2003-2006 and his current term is 2007-2010. He has served as Commission Chair in 2005 and 2009. Commissioner Anaya first started in public service serving as President of the Galisteo Community Association, his hometown, where he was also a volunteer fire fighter.
Since elected as County Commissioner, he has sat on numerous boards. He is currently on the National Association of Counties (NACo) Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee serving as Vice Chairman as well as NACo's Rural Action Caucus and former Vice Chairman. The Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee analyzes policies and decisions affecting rural counties such as; roads, health care and education systems. The Rural Action Caucus is the voice for America's rural counties on Capitol Hill and federal agencies. Other boards Commissioner Anaya sits on are; Partners for a Clean New Mexico, Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), Charter Bank Advisory Board and Leadership New Mexico.
Past boards Commissioner Anaya has sat on are; NACo's Western Interstate Region (WIR), Past Chair of NACo's Rural Development Committee, Past Chair of Regional Transit District (RTD), New Mexico Retiree Health Care Board, Past Chair of Solid Waste Management Agency (SWAMA), La Cienega Task Force, Santa Fe County Investment Committee and past President of New Mexico Association of Counties (NMAC).
Commissioner Anaya is also an "Honorary Commander" for the New Mexico National Guard. An honor presented by Major General Kenny Montoya for recognizing and honoring outstanding New Mexican citizens and civilian leaders for their service to the community and state.
While serving as County Commissioner, he has been instrumental in setting policy and making improvements to Santa Fe County services. He was the leader in bringing the Constituent Services Department to fruition. The sole purpose of this department is to help constituents with all of their county needs and handle requests from the public. Another initiative in the Commissioner's term was to help serve the northern and southern residents of the County by providing "satellite offices". These offices provide convenience to the residents; many County services can be accomplished at these offices (3 total) and save the residents time and money by taking care of County business closer to home.
Commissioner Anaya's illegal dumping campaign in La Cienega (a Village in his district) has gained him national recognition and caught the attention of the Bureau of Land Management in Washington, D.C. BLM appropriated nearly $100,000 to the state to educate and provide assistance in clean up for all of New Mexico. He also created the task force, "Partners for a Clean New Mexico", a group made up numerous counties and agencies with the one common goal; to educate and clean up.
He has played an active role in improving the lives of our youth and seniors through apparitions for programs designed to keep the youth engaged in community and the seniors to enjoy their "golden years" through multiple services provided by the County.
Commissioner Anaya has improved County parks, approved more "open space" for the County and assisted with the creation of the Cerrillos Hills State Park (also in his district).
Commissioner Anaya is a graduate of New Mexico Highlands University, Leadership New Mexico Local Government Program and Core Program and the NACO Robert. F Wagner School of Public Service/County Leadership Institute. In addition to serving as Santa Fe County Commissioner, he is also a rancher and small business owner. Commissioner Anaya is married to wife, Dora and has two children, Miranda and Art and resides on the family ranch in Stanley, New Mexico. His parents are Joe M. Anaya (deceased) and Mary Ann Anaya and has five siblings.