Berry appoints new cultural service director

Mayor Richard J. Berry has appointed attorney Betty Rivera to be his Director of Cultural Service Deparment. She'll replace Ray Darnell who retired in late December 2009.

“Betty has the background I wanted for this position. She has two decades of practical business coupled with a love for the arts,” Berry said. “I’m serious when I say I want City Hall to run like a business and Betty shares that vision.”

Rivera is scheduled to begin in her new position on Monday January 11, 2010 and will earn $97,000 a year.

Deputy Director Dana Feldman has served as acting director for cultural services since Darnell’s retirement.

Rivera is touted as an accomplished businesswoman who most recently was a founding member of Energy Resources Associates, a consulting service in the electric power industry.

She's also served on grocery chain Albertson's board of directors.

In 2002, Governor Gary Johsnon appointed Rivera as a cabinet secretary for the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department. Rivera also served as a commissioner for the New Mexico Public Utility Commission from 1995-1998.

Rivera is an active member of the Albuquerque Arts Board and of the International Women’s Forum and the New Mexico Women’s Forum.

Rivera is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce.