Speakers
Mayor Martin Chavez
Albuquerque, NM
Biography:
Mayor Chávez served in the State Senate from 1989 to 1993, where he championed legislative initiatives from ethics reform to urban forestry. From 1993 through 1997 he served as Mayor in a term that featured a city-wide clean up and perhaps the country’s most successful water conservation campaign. Since returning to office in 2001, Chávez has supported well planned growth, rebuilt the public safety infrastructure and broken ground on an historic surface water project that puts Albuquerque’s long range prospects on a par with those of every other major city in the country. Under Chávez, Albuquerque has enjoyed a 17% reduction in crime, a 39% reduction in water use and a 69% reduction in city government’s carbon footprint. Albuquerque has begun enjoying national prominence in a number of studies and reports for factors ranging from business climate to cultural amenities. American Style, Forbes and Inc. are just a few of the publications where Albuquerque has begun to shine. Going forward, Mayor Martin Chávez plans to build on sustainability initiatives such as modern street-car and the 2030 Challenge, and further support what has been described as one of the nation’s fastest urban revitalizations. The Chávez vision is one of a sustainable, attractive and exciting city where young people can realize their dreams without ever having to leave Albuquerque.