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Joseph Lovato has been a lifelong resident of Santa Fe, born and raised there since 1982. He
earned his high school diploma from Capital High School in 2001 and began his professional
career in banking shortly thereafter. Within two years, he advanced to Branch Manager with
Wells Fargo in Albuquerque, demonstrating early leadership and operational expertise.

In 2006, Mr. Lovato transitioned into public service, joining the City of Santa Fe. During his
tenure, he contributed to the development of the Santa Fe Convention Center, an experience
that marked the beginning of his career in contract management and procurement.

In 2015, he continued his public service with the New Mexico State Records Center and
Archives, where he earned his Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) certification as a member of the
State of New Mexico’s inaugural CPO class through Chemeketa Community College.

In 2016, Mr. Lovato joined the New Mexico Environment Department as a Purchasing Agent
and, by 2018, was promoted to Administrative Services Division Chief Procurement and
Accounts Payable Manager. Over the following years, he served as Chief Procurement Officer
for the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), New Mexico Department
of Health (DOH), and the New Mexico General Services Department Facilities Management
Division (FMD). In these roles, he led the development, review, and implementation of policies
and procedures, ensuring compliance with the State Procurement Code and DFA’s Manual of
Accounting Principles across multiple divisions.

His responsibilities have included oversight of complex Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and
Invitations to Bid (ITBs), coordination of annual audits, and agency-wide implementation of
procurement best practices. While serving with DFA, Mr. Lovato played a key role in the
execution of a $330 million sponsorship agreement and led the creation and implementation of
the Emergency Watershed Protection Program in partnership with the United States
Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in response to the
Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire.

With more than 20 years of government experience, Mr. Lovato has developed extensive
expertise in state procurement, regulatory compliance, contract management, and operational
leadership. Most recently, he established a new Construction Section within GSD FMD and
successfully procured more than $200 million in construction projects, further strengthening
infrastructure and public service delivery across the State of New Mexico.