When your trash is picked up, a pothole disappears or you spend an afternoon at the BioPark, you’re seeing the work of Samantha Sengel even if you don’t know her name.
The Albuquerque City Council unanimously reappointed Samantha Sengel as chief administrative officer (CAO) Wednesday. The city’s most powerful non-elected position oversees 6,000 employees and more than $1 billion in annual spending for the day-to-day operations of the state’s largest city.
“I run the day-to-day operations of the city on behalf of the Mayor,” Sengel told City Desk before Wednesday’s Council meeting. “This means that the CAO connects the Mayor’s vision with prioritizing daily operations in service to our community.”
She manages daily operations, supervises all 27 department directors and prepares the city budget.
By law, the CAO is the city’s top personnel authority, able to set rules and pay, manage staff and take emergency action, though the role does not cover City Council employees.
Sengel joined the administration in October 2023 after more than 20 years at Central New Mexico Community College.
Her accomplishments include completing the Gateway System of Care and bringing the Albuquerque Police Department into full compliance with the U.S. Department of Justice consent decree. “We successfully brought APD into full compliance with the DOJ consent decree, entering the next era of focus on crime fighting and constitutional policing.”
She said the city has made services easier to access, from faster 311 response times to smoother permitting and maintenance.
“We’ve been investing in our workforce,” Sengel said, noting the city’s recent Platinum-level award as a Family Friendly Business. “Consistent, high-quality services depend on a stable and motivated city team that all works as OneAlbuquerque.”
Priorities for her new term include public safety, family and child well-being, economic opportunity, and ensuring vulnerable residents can access support services and housing.
“We all live here together and see all of the same challenges you see,” she said. “Our 6,000 city employees are committed to showing up every day to improve the lives of our residents and our families, too.”
The council also unanimously confirmed Fire Chief Emily Jaramillo during the same meeting. Her reappointment passed with no questions and full support from all councilors.
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