Governor Bill Richardson completed his second term as Governor of New Mexico in December 2010. Since entering life as a private citizen, Governor Richardson was named chairman of APCO Worldwide’s executive advisory service Global Political Strategies (GPS). In January 2011, Governor Richardson was named Special Envoy for the Organization of American States (OAS), adding another platform for initiatives within peace and reconciliation in the Western hemisphere. In addition, the Governor has joined several non-profit and for profit boards; including the Spanish energy company, Abengoa, international advisory board; the World Resources Institute (WRI), and the National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE). 

 

Governor Richardson was first elected to office in 2002 and re-elected in 2006 with the support of 69 percent of voters, representing the largest margin of victory for any Governor in state history. Governor Richardson's bold governing style moved New Mexico forward in several important areas, including clean energy, commuter rail, education, tax cuts, public safety, spaceport, film industry, environment, and health care.

 

Prior to being elected governor, Governor Richardson enjoyed a very successful and fulfilling career in public service, academia and the private sector.

 

In 2008, Governor Richardson sought the Democratic nomination for President of the United States.

 

Governor Richardson served for 15 years in northern New Mexico representing the 3^rd Congressional District. Governor Richardson served in 1997 as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and in 1998, he was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy.

 

While a congressman, Governor Richardson served as a special envoy on many sensitive international missions. He successfully won the release of hostages, American servicemen, and prisoners in North Korea, Iraq, Cuba and Sudan. Governor Richardson has been nominated several times for the Nobel Peace Prize.

 

In 2001, Governor Richardson assumed the chairmanship of Freedom House, a private, non-partisan organization that promotes democracy worldwide. He also worked as a business consultant in Santa Fe and served on several boards including the Natural Resource Defense Council and United Way International.