Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has appointed Colonel Megan A. Cornett, a retired U.S. Air Force officer, as the director of New Mexico’s Office of Military Base Planning and Support. Cornett brings experience in government relations and has served as Albuquerque operations officer for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. Her background includes extensive civil and commercial airfield management at Kirtland Air Force Base and other locations across the United States and abroad.
Cornett holds a BA from Texas A&M University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma, along with education from Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base. She has also been a legislative fellow with Georgetown University’s Government Affairs Institute, supporting Congressional initiatives for the Air Force.
The Office of Military Base Planning and Support acts as a liaison between the state and federal congressional delegation on military issues, assisting base representatives and surrounding communities with access, infrastructure operations, planning, and logistics. The office is part of the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD), which provides support in budgeting, legal matters, and human resources.
"I am pleased that Megan Cornett can continue to serve," said EDD Secretary-Designate Rob Black. "Col. Cornett knows the military community in New Mexico and will continue our work on economic development investments around our bases so these communities can thrive."
Cornett expressed her commitment to understanding the needs of communities near military bases in New Mexico: "I want to learn more about the communities surrounding New Mexico’s military bases and find solutions to the challenges that impact military operations and the quality of life for service members."
In 2022, EDD conducted a study on the economic impact of military installations in New Mexico, revealing that this sector supports 52,268 jobs, $2.8 billion in annual labor income, and over $14 billion in industrial output. At that time, there were 141,558 veterans residing in New Mexico.
Cornett began her new role on January 6, succeeding Richard Glover who resigned at the end of 2024.
