Clovis, NM – The Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority announced today that its
administrator, Orlando Ortega, has resigned, opting to begin his retirement. Mr. Ortega had
served as ENMWUA administrator since 2018.
“Mr. Ortega has played a key role in our project beginning with his early involvement as Mayor
of Portales, which helped jumpstart the Ute Pipeline Project and establish our Authority,”
Authority Board Chairman Mike Morris said. “Most recently, he has served as our administrator
for the past 7 ½ years. We are grateful for his service.”
“Mr. Ortega has served the City of Portales as a two-term city councilor and mayor and has been
involved and served the authority for over 20 years,” Authority Vice Chair Jim Lucero said. “We
are fortunate for his service and dedication, both to our communities and to the authority’s
ongoing mission to provide a renewable source of potable water. We wish him well in his new
chapter in life.”
Jacquelynn Bowens, the authority’s deputy administrator, will provide administrative leadership
during the interim.
“We are currently conducting interviews and actively seeking candidates to fill the position,”
Morris said. “In the meantime, we are fortunate to have an outstanding deputy administrator,
Jacquelynn Bowens, whose experience and competence provide continuity and ensure that
ENMWUA maintains its pace and momentum.”
The Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority was established in 2010 and is working to
complete the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System. Commonly known as the Ute Pipeline
Project, the ENMRWS will deliver treated surface water to the ENMWUA member communities
of Clovis, Portales, Cannon AFB, Texico, and Elida.
Information: www.enmwua.com
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