The City of Las Cruces has named a new Assistant City Manager this week as the City's Administration has selected current Fire Chief Eric Enriquez to the position.
Enriquez was born and raised in Las Cruces. He attended Las Cruces Public Schools and New Mexico State University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in 1991. He later attended the Senior Leadership Program at Harvard Kennedy School for State and Local Government in 2016.
Enriquez graduated from the Las Cruces Fire Academy in December 1997 and was promoted to fire inspector and investigator in 2002. In 2003, Enriquez completed the Las Cruces Police Academy and received certification as a New Mexico Police Officer. He served the City of Las Cruces until February 2009, when he accepted a position in Hobbs as Fire Marshal, at the rank of Battalion Chief.
In 2013, Enriquez promoted into the dual position of Fire Marshal/Deputy Chief in Hobbs to Community Services Director and served in that position for two years before becoming Fire Chief in Hobbs.
Enriquez returned to Las Cruces in May of 2016 when he accepted the City of Las Cruces Fire Chief position.
"The City is fortunate to have Enriquez's experience locally to draw from, and from his work in other communities to help us better understand municipal government from other points of view in the State," said City Manager Ifo Pili. "We know he will be effective in further serving our community and we wish him great success in this position."
Enriquez begins serving as Assistant City Manager on the Week of November 30, 2020. Deputy Chief Jason Smith will serve as Interim Fire Chief.