Longtime official retiring from UNM post
Harris has spent career in state government service
One of the University of New Mexico’s top leaders and a longtime figure in New Mexico state government has announced his retirement.
UNM announced Thursday that David Harris will retire, but not until the end of the year. He will stay in his position overseeing the school’s budget and numerous key programs.
Harris has, in his more than 40-year career, led all of the state’s core budgeting agencies and counseled two governors before joining the university in 2004.
“He’s been invaluable to government and certainly to the University of New Mexico,” said state Sen. Stuart Ingle, R-Portales. “If there’s anybody who knew the budget backwards and forwards, it was David Harris.”
Harris currently holds the titles of executive vice president for administration, chief operating officer and chief financial officer. He served as interim president of the school for a short stint in 2006.
“After careful and detailed discussions with President (Chaouki) Abdallah and incoming President (Garnett) Stokes, I wish to announce my intention to retire from my position at The University of New Mexico by the end of the year,” Harris said in a written statement.
The change comes as the university prepares to take on a new president, Stokes, who takes office on March 1. She said in the announcement that she is grateful Harris will stay on to help her transition to her new post.
Ingle said Thursday that Harris has for decades been the person turned to for guidance and help understanding crucial elements of government and university processes.