Executive Director Lawrence Rael

Lawrence Rael brings a wealth of experience to the job of Executive Director for the Mid-Region Council of Governments – from the City, State, and Federal sectors. He has served in the capacity of Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Albuquerque for three separate Mayoral terms from 1990 through 2001. As CAO, Lawrence oversaw a number of major projects including the construction of a new professional baseball complex and the largest expansion of the Albuquerque Sunport.

Lawrence received his Master’s Degree in Public Administration at the University of New Mexico, with post graduate work at Harvard University’s School of Public Policy.

He is married to the former Kim Sanchez of Raton, New Mexico. The Raels’ live in Albuquerque’s North Valley with their three children: Lawrence, Anna, and Benna.

The Mid-Region Council of Governments is a multi-county governmental agency (a regional council) that provides urban and rural planning in central New Mexico.

Representing the counties of Bernalillo, Valencia, Torrance, and Sandoval, we support modern transportation, abundant local agriculture, clean & efficient water systems, economic growth, and a ready workforce.

Maps of the region are available here.

You can contact us online here.

Directions to our office are here.

History of Regional Councils

A regional council is a multi-service entity with state and locally-defined boundaries that delivers a variety of federal, state and local programs while continuing its function as a planning organization, technical assistance provider and “visionary” to its member local governments. As such, they are accountable to local units of government and effective partners for state and federal governments.

Conceived in the 1960s, regional councils today are stable, broad-based organizations adept at consensus-building, creating partnerships, providing services, problem solving and fiscal management. The role of the regional council has been shaped by the changing dynamics in federal, state and local government relations, and the growing recognition that the region is the arena in which local governments must work together to resolve social and environmental challenges.

Regional councils have carved out a valuable niche for themselves as reliable agents and many operate more independent of federal funding. Comprehensive and transportation planning, economic development, workforce development, the environment, services for the elderly and clearinghouse functions are among the types of programs managed by regional councils.

Definition provided by the National Association of Regional Councils

Governance: Boards and Committees

MRCOG Board of Directors and Executive Board

Metropolitan Transportation Board

• Transportation Coordinating Committee
  • Transportation Program Task Group
  • Congestion Management
  • Intelligent Transportation System Subcommittee
• Public Involvement Committee
  • Walking and Biking Advisory Group

Rural Transportation Planning Organization Technical Advisory Committee

Water Resources Board

Mid-Region Transit District Board

Workforce Connection of Central New Mexico (WCCNM) Chief Elected Officials

• Board
  • Executive Committee
    • Building an Employer-Driven One-Stop System
    • Youth Council
    • Training and Service Provider Committee
    • Performance and Monitoring Committee