Flores leaving NMSU for job in Santa Fe

New Mexico State University Provost Bill Flores is leaving that job to work for Gov. Bill Richardson.

“I’m very proud that, finally, Bill Flores is now going to work in the Richardson Administration as deputy secretary of higher education,” Richardson announced during today’s appearance at NMSU.

Flores said he was looking forward to the new job.

“It will be a great pleasure to work in your administration,” he told the governor.

University President Michael Martin said he’ll miss Flores, who he said has been a friend and golf partner.

“Bill has been a wonderful partner and a great colleague,” he said.

Flores had the support of Richardson to become NMSU’s next president when the regents instead hired Martin in 2004. Richardson has, at times since then, talked about Flores making the move to Santa Fe.