About the Commissioner

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Debbie O’Malley has fought for good jobs, affordable housing and new mental health and substance abuse services for Bernalillo County families for District 1. She is currently serving her second term.

Debbie O'Malley

On Jan. 8, 2019, she was elected Vice Chair of the commission for a one-year term.

Commissioner O’Malley's district includes much of the North Valley, Downtown, the Westside, To’Hajiilee and part of Laguna Pueblo.

Commissioner O’Malley brings 30 years of strong, effective public service to the board: First as a neighborhood leader, actively working for redevelopment of her historic, working-class community; and then for nine years as an Albuquerque City councilor, focusing on public safety, workforce housing, neighborhood planning and revitalization.

In 2014 she led the effort to provide much-needed funding for new mental health, drug treatment and support services for people in crisis in Bernalillo County. Today she’s committed to developing more safe and secure housing for the chronically homeless, and good-paying jobs for Bernalillo County’s working families.

Debbie’s public service career began in 1995 as founder and later executive director of the Sawmill Community Land Trust. There, she spearheaded the planning and development of Arbolera de Vida, a multimillion dollar, nationally-acclaimed revitalization project in the Sawmill and Old Town District.

Debbie has served as Albuquerque City Council president and vice president, chair of the Middle Rio Grande Council of Governments, and chair of the Metropolitan Transportation Board. An Albuquerque native, she has lived the economic challenges facing working families.

Debbie and her husband of 44 years, Mike, are the proud parents of two daughters, April and Kristy, and four grandchildren, Evan, Aiden, Hope and O’Malley.

Record of Leadership

Vice Chair, Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners, 2019

Chair, Albuquerque/Bernalillo Water Utility Authority, 2019

Vice Chair, Mid-Region Council of Governments, 2019-20

Chair, Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners, 2014, 2017

Albuquerque City Councilor, 2003-2013

Vice President, City Council, 2012

Chair, Mid-Region Council of Governments, 2011-2013

Chair, Metropolitan Transportation Board, MRCOG, 2009-2010, 2014-2016

Chair, City Council Land Use and Zoning Committee, 2006, 2009

Vice President, Albuquerque City Council, 2008

President, Albuquerque City Council, 2007

Vice Chair, Metropolitan Transportation Board, MRCOG, 2006-2007

Chair, City Council Committee of the Whole, 2004, 2005

Associate Director, Sawmill Community Land Trust, 2004

Executive Director, Sawmill Community Land Trust, 1998-2003

Project Director, Sawmill Advisory Council/Development Corporation, 1995-1998

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