Mayor Keller Announces Key Additions to City Leadership

The City is filling important roles and promoting experienced leaders to help navigate large initiatives and bring projects to fruition. Matthew Whelan will be the Interim Chief Administrative Officer, his appointment will go to City Council for confirmation. Charley Salas-Ramos will be the Deputy Chief Operations Officer. Both bring extensive knowledge of City government that will help support the executive team.  

Matthew Whelan, Interim Deputy Chief Administrative Officer  

Matthew Whelan is an accomplished leader with extensive project management skills. He has roots in Las Cruces, NM where he started his professional career as a teenager working for his grandfather’s sanitation company, Silva Sanitation. He began by assembling roll-out collection containers, cleaning containers, and riding on the collection trucks. After the business was sold, he worked for Mesilla Valley Disposal doing accounting work while he attended college. He has served as the Director of Solid Waste Mangement and previously as the Deputy Director of the Parks and Recreation Department. His career with the City of Albuquerque started as a Principal Accountant for the Department of Finance Administrative Service before advancing to the Parks and Recreation Department where he first became the Fiscal Manager, then the Deputy Director. Mr. Whelan has over 11 years of experience in finance and accounting, including auditing for City, County and Tribal Governments. Prior to the City of Albuquerque, he worked for six years with REDW, LLC one of the largest certified public accounting and business consulting firms in the Southwestern United States, with its main office located in Albuquerque. He is experienced in preparation and compilation of financial statements for government as well as non-governmental entities. 

Mr. Whelan holds degrees in Accounting and Finance Administration from New Mexico State University. 

Charley Salas-Ramos, Deputy Chief Operations Officer  

Charley Salas-Ramos is a native of Albuquerque, and a graduate of Valley High School and the University of New Mexico. She has been employed with the City of Albuquerque for over 25 years, beginning her career at the age of 17 as a temporary summer program hire. Since then, she has served in many different capacities within several departments and divisions. Charley’s long-standing tenure with the City has given her an overall understanding of City operations and its unique structure, providing for a comprehensive approach to problem solving and development of best practices. She has initiated and managed many successful projects for the City and continues to take on challenges daily. Her husband of 19 years, a retired City of Albuquerque Firefighter, four daughters, and tight-knit family are the backbone of her success. Charley is eager to serve in her new role as the City’s Deputy Chief Operations Officer.