Chairman Garrett was born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is a graduate of St. Michael’s High School and received his BA at the University of New Mexico.

Chairman Garrett joined the New Mexico State Police in 1991 and served in various areas of New Mexico as a patrolman and in an undercover capacity with the narcotics division.

Chairman Garrett retired as a Lieutenant in Albuquerque in 2013 and began doing private investigations specializing in probate and health care.

His hobbies are beach volleyball, scuba diving, and spending as much time as he can with his two children, Madison and Alina.

Darren “Indy” White – Indy currently serves as the Director of PurLife, the second largest medical cannabis organization in New Mexico. Indy has extensive experience designing, building, and operating successful medical cannabis dispensaries. His vast and distinctive level of expertise in the business is well-recognized, and he has consulted on successful applications for highly competitive medical cannabis licenses in New Mexico, New York, Louisiana, Rhode Island, and New Jersey. Owing to Indy’s talent, PūrLife earned a reputation in New Mexico for producing some of the highest quality medical cannabis.

Indy studied at the University of New Mexico in 2005, earning a Bachelor’s degree in both Communications and Public Relations. In 2014, he graduated from Saint Louis University School of Law, where he helped organize and coordinate the Veterans’ Advocacy Project (VAP), which provided free legal assistance for homeless veterans living in downtown St. Louis. For his leadership at VAP, he received the David Grant Student Clinic Award, which is given to one graduating student each year for their commitment to public service. Darren now lives in Albuquerque and is licensed to practice law in New Mexico. In 2007, Indy enlisted in the New Mexico Air National Guard, completed his six-year enlistment commitment, and was honorably discharged in 2013.

Commissioner Billops was appointed to the CPA Board Seat in June 2021

VAN J. BILLOPS, CPA/PFS, CEP, brings a valuable combination of tax and investment expertise. Since 2009, he has worked in public accounting, providing corporate and individual tax, audit, as well as estate/wealth transfer planning, retirement planning, and wealth/investment management services to individuals. Prior to this, Van worked for various investment firms as a Mutual Fund Accountant and SEC Financial Reporting Manager.

When not training for a triathlon (multiple Ironman finisher), Van serves on various non-profit boards focusing on feeding the state’s hungry and helping those in need.

Commissioner Miller was appointed to the Attorney Board Seat in February 2024

Before joining the Board, Commissioner Miller served as the chief judge for the Pueblos of San Ildefonso and San Felipe in New Mexico.  Prior to being appointed to the bench, Commissioner Miller served in a variety of leadership roles in NM and throughout Indian Country as either an attorney, board member, or as executive leadership of an organization.  Commissioner Miller has been recognized nationally for his efforts to reduce and study the impact of Native American defendants’ terms of incarceration in the Federal Court system compared to other groups by his appointment to the U.S. Sentencing Commission’s Tribal Issues Advisory Group (TIAG) in 2016.

Commissioner Miller is a proud citizen of the Pueblo of Tesuque with shared ancestry in the Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma.  He received his B.A. from New Mexico State University and his J.D. from the University of Wyoming College of Law.  Commissioner Miller is a licensed attorney in New Mexico and in several tribal court jurisdictions throughout the United States.

Commissioner Smith was appointed the New Mexico Gaming Control Board’s Ex-Officio Member when he was chosen as the New Mexico Racing Commission’s Chairman.

Commissioner Smith has been a New Mexico horse owner and breeder since the 70s, having campaigned the 2006, 2007, and 2013 Quarter Horse World Champions.

As the owner of Smith Enterprises, LLC, a private firm specializing in construction as well as entrepreneurial purchases, entertainment, development, and sales of businesses, he has been involved in a multitude of successful business ventures throughout the Southwest.

Commissioner Smith has served on various boards for the American Quarter Horse Association, including the Graded Stakes Committee, the Championship Selection Committee, and the Racing Committee.