Chief of Staff Malaquias “JR” Rael

JR Rael serves as Chief of Staff for the City of Albuquerque, supporting the Mayor and executive leadership in advancing the Administration’s priorities. In this role, he helps drive strategic initiatives, align departments around shared goals, and ensure effective execution across complex, citywide efforts. His work focuses on strengthening internal coordination, advancing policy and operational priorities, and engaging partners and the community on issues that impact Albuquerque’s quality of life.

Before joining the Mayor’s administration, JR served as Deputy State Treasurer for New Mexico, where he managed the state’s banking services and investment division during a period of record revenues. He also served as Chief Administrative Officer for the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office, overseeing agency operations and guiding policy initiatives on issues ranging from natural resource management to opioid abatement efforts and settlement implementation. Earlier in his career, JR was Chief Operating Officer for a New Mexico law firm, managing its business operations and strategic growth.

A proud native of Questa, New Mexico, JR brings the values of hard work, respect, and community responsibility to every role he serves. His leadership is defined by a commitment to collaboration, problem-solving, and delivering results that strengthen Albuquerque’s future.