Albuquerque, NM, April 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Albuquerque Regional Financial Alliance (AREA) immediately introduced the appointment of Chad Matheson as President and Chief Government Officer, efficient April 1, 2026. Matheson, who has served as Interim President & CEO since August 2025 was chosen following a complete nationwide search led by the group’s Board of Administrators.
“The AREA Board of Directors is pleased to confirm Chad Matheson as the permanent President and CEO of AREA,” stated Josh Parsons, Board Chair. “Chad has embraced and grown in his role as the Interim President and CEO by offering a strategic vision, and a deep commitment to advancing economic competitiveness across the Greater Albuquerque region. The momentum he has built makes him the right candidate to lead this organization into its next chapter.”
Matheson is a nationally acknowledged financial improvement chief with deep experience in regional financial technique, labor market evaluation, and alternative identification. His strategy bridges rigorous analysis with on-the-ground execution, enabling communities to translate data-driven perception into measurable outcomes round job creation, expertise alignment, and sustainable financial progress.
Amongst his skilled achievements, Matheson was named one in every of North America’s High 50 Financial Builders in 2023 and New Mexico Financial Developer of the Yr in 2024. In 2025, he earned the Licensed Financial Developer (CEcD) designation from the Worldwide Financial Growth Council, the career’s highest credential.
“I am honored to step into this role and deeply committed to the mission of AREA and to the communities we serve,” stated Matheson. “The Greater Albuquerque region has extraordinary assets, a growing and innovative ecosystem with community of leaders ready to drive meaningful progress. I look forward to working alongside our partners, stakeholders, and the AREA team to advance bold strategies that strengthen our regional economy for the long term.”
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Previous to becoming a member of AREA in February 2022, Matheson led enterprise intelligence for the Higher Memphis Chamber, the place he co-founded the Heart for Financial Competitiveness in partnership with the College of Memphis, a data-driven initiative centered on long-term job creation and expertise improvement methods. Earlier in his profession, he directed enterprise intelligence for the Hampton Roads Financial Growth Alliance, contributing to regional progress technique and long-term financial planning.
Matheson holds a bachelor’s diploma in economics from Outdated Dominion College.
