Gregg Marcantel, is a United States Marine Corps veteran with over 30 years of law enforcement experience. Before taking over the New Mexico Corrections Department (NMCD) 4 years ago he spent much of his career as a homicide detective and undercover narcotics officer with the FBI.

With a keen understanding of the circumstances that led to the infamous 1980 riot at “Old Main,” Secretary Marcantel has vowed to never let a tragedy like that happen again. He is embracing the past and using the lessons learned to lead New Mexico’s prison system into the future.

Throughout his public safety career, Gregg has received numerous awards ranging from the Navy Achievement Medal in the USMC to national recognition by the Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration, to include receipt of the Nation’s Top Cop Award by the National Association of Police Organizations in Washington D.C.

Additionally, Gregg holds membership in the FBI National Academy Associates, the Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (LEEDA), the Association of State Correctional Administrators, and the International Law Enforcement Planners Association (ILEPA). He also serves on a variety of government oversight boards.