James B. Lewis

Lewis was born in Roswell, New Mexico. He earned a bachelor of science degree in education from Bishop College in Dallas, Texas, and a bachelor of science degree in business administration from the National College of Business in Albuquerque, New Mexico.[3] Lewis served US Army for two years.[1] When he returned to New Mexico, he worked for the New Mexico State Personnel Office and the Public Service Career Office in minority recruitment. He then became director of the African American Studies Division under the Multi-cultural Enrichment Program.

He received his master's degree in public administration from the University of New Mexico as well as a BS/AS business degree from the National College of Business in Albuquerque. He worked as a personnel counselor and administrator at the University of Albuquerque.[4] He later worked for the District Attorney's office as a criminal investigator. Lewis was elected Bernalillo County Treasurer in 1982, becoming the first African American to win a countywide election in New Mexico. He won re-election in 1984.

Governor Bruce King appointed him chief of staff in November 1990.[4] After Bruce King's defeat in the election of 1994, Lewis served four months as acting director of the Oil, Gas, and Minerals Division of the State Land Office.[5] In April 1995, he was appointed chief clerk of the State Corporation Commission. In 1996, Lewis was appointed City Administrator of Rio Rancho and later that year was appointed as head of the Office of Economic Development and Diversity at the U.S. Department of Energy in Washington, D.C., by president Bill Clinton. He later served under United States Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson.

In 2001, Lewis ran for the Mayor of Albuquerque, New Mexico, losing to Martin Chavez.[5] Following the election, he was appointed the City of Albuquerque's Chief Operating Officer. Lewis also held the position of Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Albuquerque, the highest ranking position for an African American in the history of Albuquerque's city governance. He retired from that post in 2005.

In December 1985, Governor Toney Anaya appointed Lewis as State Treasurer after former State Treasurer Earl Hartley pleaded guilty to misusing funds of the Western State Treasurers Association.[6] He completed that term and ran for a full term in 1986, becoming the first African American elected to a statewide office in New Mexico.

In 2006, Lewis ran again for position of state treasurer and won, serving until he was term-limited in 2014.[7]

In October 2007, State Treasurer James B. Lewis was elected president of the Western State Treasurers Association. In 2014, Lewis was elected president of the National Association of Auditors, Comptrollers and State Treasurers.[8]

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