Having one's name associated with bankruptcy generally is not an enviable state of affairs — but here's an exception. James Jacobsen, an assistant attorney general in the New Mexico AG's Office, has been honored by New Mexico Business Weekly magazine as Bankruptcy Attorney of the Year.

Jacobsen represents the state's interests in bankruptcy issues involving the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department, and in the past has represented several other New Mexico state agencies in such matters. He has served on the board of directors for the State Bar's Bankruptcy Section and is vice-president of the States' Association of Bankruptcy Attorneys, a national professional organization. Jacobsen, a graduate of The University of New Mexico School of Law, has been with the AG's Office since 2002.


Jim Nunns, the state Taxation and Revenue Department's director of tax policy, recently earned national recognition for his expertise in taxation and public finance. Nunns was presented with the Davie/Davis Public Service Award from the National Tax Association. The award, named in memory of two NTA members, commends Nunns for exhibiting the "highest levels of professionalism, skill and objectivity in the provision of expert analyses and objective advice on issues of taxation and government finance to elected officials, policymakers and the general public."


The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission's latest employee of the month is Tammy Lopez, administrative assistant in the agency's Managed Health Care Bureau. As one who helps track managed health care complaints from consumers and health care providers, Lopez is known for giving "quality customer service" and "making sure all concerns and complaints are handled in a timely manner," her nominators said. Before joining the PRC, Lopez worked in the New Mexico State Investment Council's Legal Division.


The state Transportation Department's Reprographics Section has been named section of the quarter among employees in the agency's General Office. The group handles all copying needs for the busy office, which often means responding to requests on very short notice and working through lunch or staying late to meet deadlines, nominators noted. Fulfilling these tasks are "hardworking employees" Lawrence Salazar, Bill Gomez, Kristy Sena and Lorinda Romero, who are described as "always professional, pleasant and accommodating."

Also in the Transportation Department, Mauricia Chavarria-Quam recently was chosen to receive a $500 scholarship for continuing education, presented by the agency's Highway Employee Association. Chavarria-Quam is a budget analyst in the Budget and Finance Division. Also earning a $500 scholarship was Rhesa Lujan, a 2009 graduate of Peñasco High School and the daughter of Ramona Lujan, a management analyst in the Planning Division.


David Telles, head of the Vulnerability Analysis Office at Los Alamos National Laboratory, has been honored with the 2008 Security Professional of the Year Award by the National Nuclear Security Administration.

The federal agency presented Telles with the award for "contributions to the security programs ... (that) exemplify the highest ideals of public service." With a background in engineering and law enforcement, Telles worked at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory before joining LANL in 1997.

If you have news about a public employee, contact Fauntleroy at 988-4068, fax 988-7262 or gussie7@comcast.net.