LEADING THE WAY
Marcos Gonzales
Executive Development Officer, Bernalillo County
Marcos A. Gonzales, MBA started his career in state and local government Economic Development in 2008, joining Bernalillo County Economic Development in 2012 and serving most recently as its Director. Economic Development has always been his passion as it helps to fulfill his personal and professional commitment to the people of New Mexico: increased and improved job opportunities and an enriched business climate to enhance the quality of life of others.
When businesses look to expand, relocate, or start companies here, they work with Marcos who along with his team develops innovative applications of economic development financing programs designed for the mutual benefit of taxpayers and companies. During this process, businesses discover that Bernalillo County Economic Development engages in customized crafting of financing programming and that the county moves at the speed of business so that opportunities are not delayed. This economic development team is also responsible for small business development, motion picture permitting, and special events that stimulate and increase economic development activity within the County and beyond.
Marcos led the team when its responsibilities were significantly expanded in 2020 to implement programming for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and then for the American Rescue Plan ACT (ARPA) in 2021. CARES offered relief grants to small businesses (Bernalillo County distributed $8,378.294.00 in grants) and both CARES and ARPA continue to provide rent assistance to tenants whose employment was affected by the COVID pandemic lockdown. To date, more than $4,959,896.89 have been dispersed to property owners for rent arrears. These federal assistance programs involve a complex review, recordkeeping, and payment processes and the Economic Development team executes these programs in support of key county initiatives such as safe housing, job retention, and enhanced quality of life.
Marcos’ outreach for improving Economic Development is broad with connections in New Mexico and the national and international business communities. He has served as a Board Member of the Greater Espanola Valley Community Development Board and is a former advisor of the City Alive Leadership Table for Albuquerque. Also, he participates in trade mission activities here in Bernalillo County, and he attended the Gansu Provincial Government Fellowship Program (Lanzhou, China). This expansive involvement provides continual exposure to real world issues facing solopreneurs, small businesses, corporations, and individuals, and this understanding enables him to address those business needs when developing projects and policy. This vast professional network contributes to his ability to make beneficial connections among businesses and individuals that work together to achieve positive outcomes.
Educational, business, and community organizations reach out to Marcos to share his expertise and experience and he is a frequent guest lecturer at area business incubators and schools including the CNM School of Business Information and Technology and the University of New Mexico Anderson School of Management. Currently Marcos serves as Treasurer of the Board of Directors for the Enchanted Land Community Development Corporation, an SBA 504 lending corporation, and he is a member of the Technology Leadership High School Advisory Council.
A 12th generation New Mexican, Marcos received his bachelor’s degree from the Anderson School of Business at the University of New Mexico and his master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. He and his wife, Sarah Williams Gonzales, reside in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
