Governor-elect Deb Haaland Names Transition Leadership

11/5/2026

Albuquerque, N.M. - Today, Governor-elect Deb Haaland acted quickly to name a transition team after her historic election and her mandate to deliver her vision of a New Mexico for all New Mexicans – creating opportunities for working people, putting more money in people’s pockets, and protecting and expanding access to healthcare.

Haaland turned to trusted aides from her time serving as the United States Secretary of the Interior and in Congress, and leaders with expertise in building political teams and systems quickly.

Her transition team leadership includes:

Dylan McArthur will serve as the Transition Director. Born and raised in Roswell, New Mexico, Dylan McArthur brings broad political acumen to lead Governor-elect Deb Haaland’s transition team. Prior to managing Haaland’s historic gubernatorial election, McArthur had a rapid rise in New Mexico politics, starting as a volunteer in 2018. In a few short years he rose to lead Maggie Toulouse Oliver’s statewide campaign to victory in 2022. He received national recognition for excellence in strategy and management for his leadership on Congressman Gabe Vasquez’s campaign in 2024. In addition to campaign work, McArthur has advocated for conservation and climate initiatives and stronger voting rights legislation to ensure every New Mexican has access to the ballot box.

Felicia Salazar will serve as the Deputy Transition Director. Born and raised in Moriarty, Salazar is long-time aide to Governor-elect Deb Haaland and most recently served as the Deputy Campaign Manager for Deb Haaland for New Mexico, where she played a leadership role in the campaign's strategy, shaping compelling messaging, outreach, and day-to-day operations. Prior to this role, Salazar served as President Biden’s Senior Presidential Speechwriter, served as Deputy Communications Director at the Department of the Interior, and led the strategy that led to the rise of Haaland as a national leader and voice in the U.S. Congress. Her experience working in executive, congressional, and municipal government offices will be an asset as she leads the Governor-elect’s transition team.

Joan Mooney will serve as the Transition Chief Operations Officer. Mooney most recently served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget at the Department of the Interior under Secretary Deb Haaland, supporting Haaland in overseeing an $18 billion budget and 70,000 employees. She was Haaland’s co-chair designee on the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission, whose recommendations on wildfire prevention, workforce capacity, and community resilience are reflected in pending legislation. She also serves on the Alliance for Wildfire Resilience Advisory Board. Previously, she was President & CEO of the nonpartisan Faith & Politics Institute. Under President Obama, she was the Senate-confirmed Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Legislative Affairs at Veterans Affairs, where she worked to increase funding and expand benefits, and she directed House outreach for his 2009 Inaugural Committee. She has also served as a congressional Chief of Staff.

Hannah Menchhoff will serve as the Transition Communications Director. Menchhoff will bring her extensive press and media relations experience. Before working as the Haaland campaign’s spokesperson, she has worked on the national level and in state and local government, advocating for Democratic leadership in the U.S. Senate, leading communications at the Wisconsin Secretary of State’s Office, and managing emergency rapid response for the Chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors during the pandemic.