Johnny Montoya, the husband of state Rep. Rhonda King, D-Stanley, has been hired as the interim chief of staff for the state Public Regulation Commission.

Montoya, 44 will replace Danny Mayfield, who is resigning to run for a Santa Fe County Commission. Mayfield's resignation is effective today.

Montoya said in an interview Tuesday he's aware that his ties to one of the state's most prominent political families will raise some eyebrows. But he said he hopes people will consider his qualifications such as his years of experience in the corporate world as well as government.

"I'm not in this for the money," Montoya said. "I like public service."

It's not clear how long Montoya will serve as interim chief. A PRC spokesman said Tuesday that the agency will conduct an "exhaustive nationwide search" for a permanent chief of staff.

Montoya, a Las Cruces native who graduated from New Mexico State University with a business degree, is related to PRC Commissioner David King, who is Rep. King's first cousin. Commissioner King said that the relationship with Montoya is not close enough to be considered nepotism under state law. He said he was one of three commissioners present Tuesday who voted unanimously to hire Montoya. At least one absent commissioner expressed approval by phone, King said.

The hiring immediately was applauded by the head of the state worker's union, which represents PRC employees. "People were high-fiving each other," said Arcie Baca of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. "It's a very positive step," Baca said. "He was my boss. The union supports him 100 percent."

Montoya said one of his goals will be to work on PRC hiring practices, which he noted was a major concern of agency employees in an ethics survey last year.

Mo Chavez, the state superintendent of insurance, who has been Montoya's supervisor, also praised the selection.

Montoya has worked at the PRC for about two years. He started out in the Utility Division before becoming Consumer Relations Division director. About eight months ago Montoya transferred to the Insurance Division, where he's worked as compliance director.

He worked for the Phillip Morris tobacco company and 11 years for the Miller Brewing Co. in marketing. He returned to New Mexico in 2000, going to work for the Rick Johnson advertising agency, where his accounts included PNM, Creamland Dairies and Giant gas. Later he worked as a vice president for marketing in two credit unions, U.S. New Mexico Federal and Del Norte.

Montoya worked for the state Tourism Department as director for marketing and advertising between 2005 and 2007.

The PRC has yet to determine Montoya's salary, spokesman Gerald Gardner said. Mayfield was paid about $100,000.

Contact Steve Terrell at 986-3037 or sterrell@sfnewmexican.com. Read his political blog at roundhouseroundup.com.