Local Flavor w/ Raul Turrieta

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Raul Turrieta began his career in the Grant County Assessor’s office in 1981, immediately after completing two stations of active duty in the United States Navy, having served in Sardinia, Italy on the USS Howard W. Gilmore AS-16 and in San Diego, California on the USS Dixon AS-37, both submarine tenders. At 20 years old, he started as an enumerator, assessing properties throughout Grant County, and was placed on full-time status in 1983. By 1986 Raul had completed his appraisal certification through the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) and has since completed over 350 hours of appraisal courses and continuing education. Mr. Turrieta first served as Grant County Assessor between1999-2006 and was re-elected in 2018 for a fourth term, which began on January 1, 2019. With more than 40 years dedicated to the same office and the same community, Mr. Turrieta is committed to informing the public and providing professional, respectful, and exceptional customer service to anyone who interacts with the Assessor’s office that has been my life. 

Raul is a member of both the International Association of Assessing Offices (IAAO) and New Mexico Association of Assessing Officers (NMAAO). He has also been chairman and vice-chairman of the NMAAO for the Assessor’s Affiliate and was elected Board of Directors of the New Mexico Counties (NMC). Currently, under the NMC, he is a board member for the Economic Development Infrastructure Policy Committee (EDIPC) and Native American Policy Committee (NAP). Just recently sat on a media board panel for community radio for the Better Informed Public Official (BIPO). And these positions and appointments are reflective of Raul’s deep involvement in the legislative process on behalf of the Assessor’s Affiliate for the last 32 plus years.

Community outreach is another of Raul’s priorities. He sits on the following committees and boards: Silver City Community Theater (SCCT), Silver City Museum board member, COHART member, Southwest Region Health and Wellness, chairman of the Grant County Trails Group (GCTG), committee member of the Territorial Charter of Silver City, committee member of the Tamal Festival, and Santa Clara Festivals, radio announcer and worked with the film industry as a assistant location manager. Raul is also involved with the NM Senior Olympics, winning numerous gold, silver, and bronze medals throughout the years, while also enjoying Senior Softball USA and Men Senior Baseball League (MSBL) and really enjoys roller blading for health and entertainment, however he is committed on his golf game.  When not out and about engaging the community and enjoying an endless calendar of events, Mr. Turrieta, a 3rd generation native New Mexican, can be found at home on Sanctuary Road with his wife of 13 years, Billie G. Turrieta. Raul is a father of his late son Raul S. Turrieta III and daughter, Serina Turrieta, is attending New Mexico State University (NMSU) Undergraduate Arts and Sciences Music Education, Music Arts and Science.