UNM Board of Regents elects Paul Blanchard president; Victor Reyes and Paul Ataket chosen for officer posts

The University of New Mexico Board of Regents elected Regent Paul Blanchard president and chose Regent Victor Reyes as vice president and Paul Ataket as secretary-treasurer during a board meeting. The board also adopted the meeting agenda and adjourned following the officer elections.

One regent announced they would abstain from voting on officer positions and asked the board to hold an executive session next month to discuss concerns about board communications and conduct. “I am going to abstain from voting for any of the officers today,” the regent said, and asked that the board address “significant issues we’re going to face as a university” in a future executive session.

Board leadership nominations were opened under Robert’s Rules. Paul Blanchard was the sole nominee for board president; nominations were closed and a roll-call vote was held. The chair announced the vote carried with one abstention. Victor Reyes was nominated and elected vice president after nominations were closed; the board again recorded a roll-call vote. Paul Ataket was nominated and elected secretary-treasurer in the same manner.

A regent noted guidance from the state attorney general’s office requiring roll-call votes for virtual meetings; the board proceeded with roll-call voting to comply. The chair read the roll for each officer vote and recorded members’ responses as part of the official record.

The meeting opened with the board adopting the agenda by voice vote. After completing the officer elections and brief closing remarks from regents, a motion to adjourn was made and carried on a roll-call vote.

The board did not take other substantive actions during the portion of the meeting captured in the transcript provided. Several regents offered brief closing comments about improving communication among members; no formal direction to staff or follow-up tasks were recorded in the available transcript.