John
Denko has a long and distinguished
career of service to the state of New Mexico and
to the Nation. He started his career in the United
States Air Force as an officer with the 1st Air
Commando Wing. He served as an avionics officer,
fixed wing and helicopter pilot and continues to
fly today. After his tour with the Air Force John
worked in private industry and then joined the
New Mexico State Police. He worked his way through
the ranks, eventually becoming Chief of the State
Police and Deputy Secretary of the Department of
Public Safety, and now is serving as Cabinet Secretary
for the Department.
After operating his own security and management consultancy
Mr. Denko served as Chief of Police for the City of
Santa Fe.
Secretary Denko is also a member of many public service
and professional organizations: including Rotary International,
a suicide intervention board, and Santa Fe County United
Way. He also finds time to be a mentor in the Santa
Fe Public School system.
Among many awards and accomplishments Secretary Denko
has been selected as an Honored Member of Who’s
Who in Law Enforcement for 1990. He is a recipient
of the New Mexico Distinguished Service Medal. He was
also honored by the Office of the Governor for outstanding/exemplary
performance during the apprehension of a felon and
noted for exemplary/professional action in the apprehension
of escaped felons from the State Penitentiary. Secretary
Denko was Valedictorian and Outstanding Graduate of
his State Police Academy class, Distinguished Graduate
from the Air Force Avionics Officer School and holds
a Bachelor of Science degree from the Air Force Academy
in Colorado Springs, CO.
Mr. Denko is married and has two grown children.
Dr. Michael L. Mier, Deputy Secretary
Dr. Mike L. Mier, a lifelong resident of the State of New Mexico, brings a professional and diverse background to the Office of Deputy Cabinet Secretary for Administration. Dr. Mier began his career in education and prior to leaving the Santa Fe Public Schools held the office of Associate Superintendent. Upon leaving education, Dr. Mier was appointed City Manager for the City of Santa Fe under Mayor Larry Delgado. Retiring in 2000, Dr. Mier pursued consulting services and eventually was employed by SER Jobs for Progress, Workforce Connections. In 2003, he was then hired as Deputy Chief Information Officer for the Department of Public Safety. Dr. Mier’s diverse management background has allowed the agency to utilize his talents in many capacities within the DPS, including his eventual appointment as the Chief Information Officer and the Director of Technical Support. Governor Bill Richardson promoted Dr. Mier to serve as the Deputy Cabinet Secretary on May 30, 2009.
Dr. Mier is extremely active in the community serving on a variety of boards and committees, including Keep Santa Fe Beautiful, Bienvenidos Food Bank, the Agua Fria Water Association and the City of Santa Fe Public Safety Committee.
Dr. Mier is a graduate of Santa Fe High School; received his BA from the College of Santa Fe as well as a MA and EdS from Highlands University. His doctoral studies were completed at The University of New Mexico.
Faron W. Segotta, New Mexico State Police Chief
Faron
W. Segotta was commissioned
as a New Mexico State Police Officer in 1982 and
has served in various assignments throughout New
Mexico. Chief Segotta has held the ranks of Patrol
Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Major,
Deputy Chief, Adjutant Chief and on March 8, 2006,
he was appointed as the 19th Chief of the New Mexico
State Police.
Chief Segotta also serves as the Deputy Secretary
overseeing the Law Enforcement Program of the Department
of Public Safety. Chief Segotta oversees approximately
800 commissioned personnel and 200 civilian personnel
within the New Mexico State Police, Motor Transportation
Division, Special Investigations Division and the Law
Enforcement Academy. He has more than 24 years of service
with the Department in a vast array of assignments.
He is a 1993 graduate of Northwestern University School
of Police Staff and Command Class #67, a 2001 graduate
of the FBI Southwest Command College and a member of
the FBI LEEDA (Law
Enforcement Executive Development Association).
Chief Segotta holds an Executive level Law Enforcement
Certification awarded by the New Mexico Law Enforcement
Academy. He is a member of the International Association
of Chiefs of Police and an Executive Board member of
SAFER New Mexico Now.
Faron
W. Segotta
