Cynthia archuleta
Veterans Service Leader | Albuquerque, New Mexico
Cynthia Archuleta earned her reputation as a highly respected advocate for veterans following more than 20 years of service in the United States Marine Corps. l Archuleta enlisted in the Corps after graduating high school in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Among her assignments was non-commissioned officer-in-charge of the military prison in Fallujah, Iraq. She held the rank of gunnery sergeant before retiring in 2008.
Since then, Archuleta has become a leader within the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). As service officer in the New Mexico Department of the VFW and twice elected commander of Post 5890 in Rio Rancho, she has helped hundreds of veterans navigate the VA claims process. In 2018 alone, she assisted over 600 disabled veterans in securing nearly $11 million in benefits.
Her excellence in service earned her national recognition as the VFW Accredited Service Representative of the Year in 2018. She currently holds the prestigious role of Regional Quality Assurance Specialist for the VFW's National Veterans Service, now serving Arizona where she moved in 2023. Beyond her official duties, Archuleta is a dedicated mentor and community leader, known for her compassionate advocacy and deep commitment to veterans’ welfare.
Archuleta's tireless efforts grounded in her Marine Corps ethos of service before self-gain make her an invaluable resource and mentor for the veteran community.
cecilia mavrommatis
Local Government Division Director, New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration | Santa Fe, New Mexico
Cecilia Mavrommatis is a decorated Marine Corps veteran and seasoned public servant now leading the Local Government Division at the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (DFA). Serving four years in the U.S. Marine Corps as a utilities specialist deployed both within the U.S. and abroad, she honed her leadership under pressure and supported crucial field operations.
Transitioning to civil service, Mavrommatis joined the Department of Defense, managing fiscal responsibilities for U.S. military commands across the Indo-Pacific region. In 2022, she moved to the New Mexico DFA as a principal policy and budget analyst, where her decade-plus of fiscal management and deep expertise in government budgeting quickly stood out.
Mavrommatis serves as the DFA’s Local Government Division Director, responsible for overseeing budgets, grants, and financial oversight for municipalities statewide. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Maryland Global Campus and a master’s degree in public administration from Hawaii Pacific University. Her appointment was praised by DFA Secretary Wayne Propst as a “leadership win for local communities,” reflecting her adept blend of military discipline and public fiscal stewardship.
Mavrommatis is driven by the principle that effective fiscal management is foundational to strong communities. Under her leadership, DFA works collaboratively with local governments to streamline processes, secure federal funding, and support public services like fire, EMS, and infrastructure.