The New Mexico Infrastructure Finance Conference has honored Rhonda Holderman, a manager at the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED), with the Joe Guillen Award for Outstanding Community Development Service. This award acknowledges her significant contributions to securing infrastructure funding for small communities in New Mexico. The award, named after former Local Government Division Deputy Director Joe Guillen, highlights public servants who have made long-term impacts on community development and infrastructure planning.
Environment Secretary James Kenney praised Holderman, stating, "Rhonda Holderman’s dedication, expertise, and tireless work have made a measurable difference for communities across New Mexico." He noted her leadership in managing critical infrastructure funding and supporting local governments as exemplary public service.
Holderman has been with NMED since 2015 and currently serves as the financial section manager in the Construction Programs Bureau. She has overseen or assisted in distributing over $469 million for 1,118 projects related to water, wastewater, and solid waste across the state. These funds include $207 million from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan and grant program, $260 million in capital appropriation grants, and $23.18 million from the Rural Infrastructure Program loan and grant program.
Recently, Holderman secured a historic $151 million loan package for Santa Fe to address its water and environmental utility needs through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program.
Additionally, NMED's Construction Programs Bureau received recognition with the Catalina Muniz ‘Utilities’ Award for Exceptional Infrastructure Projects in Emergency Response. This accolade was given for their collaborative efforts with various agencies to replace damaged wastewater collection lines following severe flooding in October 2025.
More details about NMED's infrastructure funding opportunities can be found on their website at www.env.nm.gov/fundingopportunities/. Furthermore, the department confirmed that Las Vegas drinking water remains safe despite concerns about post-fire runoff affecting the city's supply.
Information from this article can be found here.
