Tim Keller (politician)

Tim Keller
26th Auditor of New Mexico
Assumed office
January 5, 2015
Governor Susana Martinez
Preceded by Hector Balderas
Member of the New Mexico Senate
from the 17th district
In office
January 2009 – January 5, 2015
Preceded by Shannon Robinson
Succeeded by ???
Personal details
Born (1977-11-22) November 22, 1977
Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Alma mater University of Notre Dame
Harvard University
Religion Roman Catholicism
Website www.saonm.org

Timothy M. "Tim" Keller (born November 22, 1977), New Mexico State Auditor, is an American politician and Democratic State Auditor and former member of the New Mexico Senate, representing Senate District 17. The district is located in the Southeast of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Early life and career

Keller was born and raised in Albuquerque. His father was a founder of Union Savings Bank and his mother was a public school teacher and homemaker. After graduation from the University of Notre Dame, he co-founded a social enterprise, Digital Divide Data (DDD), which employs and trains disadvantaged persons in Cambodia. DDD now also works in Laos and Kenya and has more than 1000 employees. The organization was ranked by Fast Company magazine as a global Top Innovator[1] and by The Global Journal as one of the Top 100 NGOs worldwide.[2] Prior to that, Keller worked as an investment banker with Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette where he focused on energy technology corporate finance.

After completing his M.B.A. at the Harvard Business School, he returned to New Mexico. Keller later worked in the community, volunteering for groups that foster economic opportunities in Albuquerque's Southeast Heights. Keller has served on the boards of New Mexico Private Equity Funds, the Open Hands Foundation, the Asian American Association, and Albuquerque Southeast Team for Entrepreneur Development.[3]

New Mexico Senate

Keller was elected in 2008 to represent the people of New Mexico Senate District 17. [4][5]

In the 2011–2012 50th Legislative Session, Keller introduced 55 pieces of legislation,[6] passed 14 pieces of legislation, and 5 were signed into law by Governor Susana Martinez including reforming the ‘In-State Business Preference’ that gives local businesses bidding preference on state government procurement.

In the 49th Legislative Session, Keller introduced 30 pieces of legislation passing 8; 4 of which were signed into law by Governor Bill Richardson.[7]

Keller is viewed by New Mexico Democrats as a potential future statewide candidate.[8]

Term as Majority Whip: In December 2012, Keller was elected to the New Mexico State Senate leadership as Majority Whip and served two years until resigning after his election to State Auditor. [9]

Auditor's election

Keller announced in spring 2013 that he would seek the office of State Auditor.[10] He ran on a platform of transparency and good government policies that would stop fraud, waste, and abuse before it occurs.[11] During the election, Keller released a TV commercial that received national attention for being one of the most innovative and entertaining political ads of this cycle.[12] On November 4, 2014 Keller was elected State Auditor, defeating Robert Aragon, 54%-46%.[13]

New Mexico State Auditor

Since being elected, Keller created the Governmental Accountability Office (GAO), highlighted New Mexico’s challenges balancing its check book in relation to New Mexico’s disclaimed CAFR (comprehensive annual financial report), and developed a report of unused state funds or, “Money on the Sidelines.”

GAO-

Upon assuming office, Keller implemented the GAO,[14] which assesses whether tax dollars are being distributed equitably and effectively under the law and will address the root causes of financial misuse that hold our state back.[15]

State CAFR-

Following an over year late release, New Mexico’s FY 13 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), troublingly, reported millions of unaccounted for funds. Auditor Keller immediately launched an audit of the CAFR to ensure all New Mexican’s tax dollars are utilized to their fullest extent.[16]

Money on the Sidelines Report-

Auditor Keller announced the “Money on the Sidelines” report which found 4.5 billion unused state funds. This report, the first of its kind from the Auditor’s office, is meant as a tool to help the Governor’s office and the legislature to identify these funds and how to best appropriate them.[17]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.fastcompany.com/social/2005/statements/digital.html
  2. ↑ http://theglobaljournal.net/
  3. ↑ http://www.timkellerfornewmexico.com/meettim.aspx
  4. ↑ http://www.sos.state.nm.us/08PrimResults/BernalilloPrim08.pdf
  5. ↑ http://www.abqjournal.com/elex/309809elex06-04-08.htm
  6. ↑ http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/legislator_details.aspx?SPONCODE=SKELL
  7. ↑ http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/legrpt/legsponsordis.aspx?SponsorCode=SKELL&year=09
  8. ↑ Livingston, Abby (November 13, 2013). "Dems' Mission in New Mexico: Breaking Steve Pearce". Roll Call. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
  9. ↑ http://www.abqjournal.com/152343/news/dems-elect-new-leaders.html
  10. ↑ http://www.abqjournal.com/205253/politics/sen-tim-keller-to-run-for-state-auditor-pass-on-2014-govs-race.html
  11. ↑ http://www.timkellerfornewmexico.com/campaign/why-im-running/
  12. ↑ http://www.buzzfeed.com/andrewkaczynski/breaking-bad-themed-political-ad-might-be-best-political-ad#.qe9mod2yN
  13. ↑ http://www.kob.com/article/12152/
  14. ↑ http://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/news/2015/01/14/keller-launches-new-mexico-government.html
  15. ↑ http://www.saonm.org/media/news_pdf/1-15-15_Auditor_Keller_Announces_Major_New_Initiatives.pdf
  16. ↑ http://www.sfreporter.com/santafe/article-9920-irreconcilable.html
  17. ↑ http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/state-auditor-finds-b-in-unspent-funds/article_b494ff08-41d2-5836-a0d6-1de8833bf1d7.html

External links

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