ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The NMAA Board of Directors has officially named Sally Marquez the new Executive Director of the New Mexico Activities Association. The announcement came during Wednesday morning's regularly scheduled Board Meeting. Marquez began her career at the NMAA in 2004 as an Associate Director, and has served as the Assistant Executive Director since July of 2011.

Prior to joining the NMAA, Marquez worked within the Rio Rancho Public School District from 1998-2004. During this time, she served as a teacher, dean of students, assistant principal, and director of personnel. Before joining Rio Rancho Public Schools, Marquez spent 14 years teaching and coaching in New Mexico, Texas, and Virginia.

The Board of Directors announced that Marquez will officially start as the new Executive Director immediately. Marquez's contract will pay $125,000 per year and will run through June of 2014.

Marquez addressed the Board of Directors after the announcement. She thanked the Board for the opportunity to continue serving the students of New Mexico and vowed to work hard for the membership during her tenure as director.

The announcement comes just under seven weeks after former director Gary Tripp resigned. Marquez becomes the sixth Executive Director in NMAA history and is currently one of only three females who hold this position across the country. The other two are Rhonda Blanford-Green in Nebraska and Karissa Niehoff in Connecticut.

Marquez graduated from Manzano High School, earned her bachelors degree from the University of New Mexico, and completed her masters degree at Virginia Tech University.

For additional information pertaining to this announcement, please contact Dusty Young, NMAA Assistant Director, at (505) 977-5385 or dusty@nmact.org.