The New Mexico Technology Council tapped Lupe Montoya to join its board of directors.
Montoya is the director of sales for technology company Westwind Computer Products in Albuquerque, where she's worked since January 2018. She previously managed site operations for Black Box at Sandia National Laboratories, according to a news release.
“I’m honored to participate on the NMTC board," Montoya said in a statement. "It’s wonderful to see the growth that technology has brought to our state. I’m happy to help NMTC continue that growth, inspire creative thinking, and support our community.”
NMTC is led by Executive Director Deborah Breitfeld. The organization is privately funded, began in 1999, and advocates for tech jobs across the state. Notable members of NMTC include Affordable Solar, Facebook, New Mexico Consortium, Rural Sourcing, REDW and several others.
NMTC helped launch TechHire New Mexico in collaboration with Workforce Connection of Central New Mexico, Central New Mexico Community College and Innovate ABQ. It was created to establish pipelines of tech workers across the country as part of the national TechHire initiative under former President Barack Obama.
“With her strong tech background, OEM relationships, and customer focus, she was a natural fit with Westwind,” said Westwind CEO Frances Jaramillo in a statement. "We’re proud that she was invited to join the NMTC board and look forward to the group’s contributions to technology growth in New Mexico."
Business First reported on Westwind expanding its reach into 3D print manufacturing in April 2019. Westwind leaders opened a new arm to the company — Roadrunner 3D — by signing a three-year lease for a 3,500-square-foot space at 5651 Jefferson St. NE, to oversee the sale of the printing equipment. Over $1 million was invested into equipment and infrastructure.
Westwind began as a retailer of environmental products and in 1998 added an information technology department, selling and providing support for HP computers to government agencies. The IT sector eventually became its main focus, Business First previously reported.
In 2020, Westwind was a Business First "Best Place to Work" finalist for medium-sized businesses that have between 25-49 employees.
