§ 9-15-5 NMSA 1978

The chief executive and administrative officer of the department is the "secretary of economic development". The secretary shall be appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate. The secretary shall hold that office at the pleasure of the governor and shall serve in the executive cabinet; provided, however, that the secretary appointed to serve as the secretary of economic development and tourism and whose appointment has been confirmed by the senate may serve as the secretary of the economic development department at the pleasure of the governor and without further confirmation.