Sarah Welsh
The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government plans to expand its activity with the hiring of a new executive director and the return of a free open-government hotline service.
Sarah Welsh will start her new job Friday, FOG announced in a news release.
“This is a fascinating and challenging time to lead the fight for transparency and accountability in government,” Welsh said in the release. “Unfortunately, New Mexicans can turn on their televisions or open their newspapers each day and learn of corrupt and shameful practices by their public officials. Secrecy is the soil in which corruption sprouts, and it’s time we stood up and demanded full transparency.”
Welsh said it’s “also time for us to keep an extra close watch on government spending.”
“From bailouts and the stimulus package to the debate over health care reform, I believe New Mexicans are anxious about what their government is up to and hungry for answers,” she said. “I’m here to make sure they get those answers.”
Welsh, 31, brings to FOG experience in both journalism and nonprofit advocacy work. She was formerly assistant news editor for the Rio Grande SUN in Española and communications coordinator for KaBOOM! in Washington, D.C. She also served as a Peace Corps volunteer in West Africa.
“We’re delighted to be the beneficiary of Sarah’s considerable talents,” FOG’s board president, Kip Purcell, said in the release. “Sarah brings great vigor and vision to the executive director’s job. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more ardent and thoughtful advocate of open government.”
Welsh replaces former director Leonard DeLayo, Jr., who was working part-time. The last full-time director — and the first FOG director — was Bob Johnson, who died in 2007.
The hotline service, which will begin Friday, provides information and support to anyone seeking public records or access to public meetings. It is backed by a volunteer panel of attorneys.
Starting Friday, Welsh can be reached at info@nmfog.org or (505)-764-3750.