Have you ever wondered who’s in charge of maintaining government buildings throughout New Mexico? That would be the General Services Department, currently led by Cabinet Secretary Anna Silva. 

Silva, a native New Mexican and longtime state official, oversees a department with various responsibilities, including assisting other state agencies with procurement, insurance and day-to-day administrative tasks. It’s also responsible for ensuring the buildings those agencies are housed in are maintained so the public can easily access them. 

It may not sound like a difficult job, but it takes skill and sound decision-making to get the work done. 

On the latest “Conversations Different” podcast episode, host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Secretary Silva to discuss her department’s efforts to revamp landscaping at state government buildings to improve curb appeal.   

Prior to Silva’s tenure, she said a landscaping plan wasn’t really in place which led to trees and weeds overtaking some buildings. The opportunity to create a sustainable plan, under the direction of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, arose and she’s taken it seriously. She’s selected projects of impact and chosen flora that fit a building’s character.  

The results caught the attention of Russell Gomez, who wanted to learn more about the new process.  

Silva said the work was only possible because it took “a governor with a vision and a secretary with a mission” to make it happen. 

Have you ever wondered who&rsquo;s in charge of maintaining government buildings throughout New Mexico? That would be the General Services Department, currently led by Cabinet Secretary Anna Silva.&nbsp;
Silva, a native New Mexican and longtime state official, oversees a department with various responsibilities, including assisting other state agencies with procurement, insurance and day-to-day administrative tasks. It&rsquo;s also responsible for ensuring the buildings those agencies are housed in are maintained so the public can easily access them.&nbsp;
It may not sound like a difficult job, but it takes skill and sound decision-making to get the work done.&nbsp;
On the latest &ldquo;Conversations Different&rdquo; podcast episode, host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Secretary Silva to discuss her department&rsquo;s efforts to revamp landscaping at state government buildings to improve curb appeal.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Prior to Silva&rsquo;s tenure, she said a landscaping plan wasn&rsquo;t really in place which led to trees and weeds overtaking some buildings. The opportunity to create a sustainable plan, under the direction of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, arose and she&rsquo;s taken it seriously. She&rsquo;s selected projects of impact and chosen flora that fit a building&rsquo;s character.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The results caught the attention of Russell Gomez, who wanted to learn more about the new process.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Silva said the work was only possible because it took &ldquo;a governor with a vision and a secretary with a mission&rdquo; to make it happen.&nbsp;

Conversations Different is presented by the Santa Fe New Mexican and features host Inez Russell Gomez in provocative talks with local and regional personalities shaping the landscape of Northern New Mexico.

Inez Russell Gomez is Opinion Page Editor at the Santa Fe New Mexican with decades of experience writing and editing the news in America's oldest capital city.

Conversations Different is presented by the Santa Fe New Mexican and features host Inez Russell Gomez in provocative talks with local and regional personalities shaping the landscape of Northern New Mexico.
Inez Russell Gomez is Opinion Page Editor at the Santa Fe New Mexican with decades of experience writing and editing the news in America's oldest capital city.