Thanks to our friend, the Albuquerque Journal for the photo!
Quality New Mexico’s President/CEO Julia Gabaldon announces her retirement in May. “Julia established QNM in 1993” said Board Chair Anne Kain. “She quickly caught the vision to ‘make New Mexico the quality state’ and has been a driving force for New Mexico’s economic competitiveness through organizations raising their performance to achieve role-model status.” She was appointed by her then employer, Sandia National Laboratories, to create and lead New Mexico’s quality initiative. Through her determination, leadership, and encouragement 800 organizations have achieved various levels of recognition. Fourteen (14) have achieved the highest level of performance excellence, as determined by QNM’s Performance Excellence Awards (NMPEA) program. Three (3) organizations continued on to achieve the Malcom Baldrige National Quality Award.
“Quality New Mexico has grown to be one of the best, most successful state quality programs in the country” says Megan Baldrige, daughter of the late Malcolm ‘Mac’ Baldrige. “Julia’s work ethic is above-and-beyond high standards and her abilities inspired action among organizations and people all over New Mexico. She is one-of-a-kind and has been the perfect person for the challenging job of running QNM. My family have all enjoyed working with Julia. She has helped us see the vision of ideas my father articulated many years ago.”
Ms. Kain said “Julia’s dedication to quality and excellence is unparalleled. She also promoted excellence to every corner of the state on ‘Performance Excellence USA’ that airs on 94.5FM and AM770 News Radio KKOB every Sunday. The Board of Directors and staff are excited for Julia’s new adventures but will truly miss her presence and dedication to the mission of driving performance excellence in New Mexico.”
Quality New Mexico will begin its search for a new President/CEO.
The non-profit, 501(C)3 provides services of training, assessments, coaching, facilitations, a best practice Learning Summit, and the NMPEA providing public recognition to those who have achieved various levels of performance excellence. For information about Quality New Mexico visit www.qualitynewmexico.org or contact Quality New Mexico at 505-944-2001.