New LAPS Financial Team members, from left, Chief Financial Officer Lisa Montoya and Comptroller Teresa Gatewood. Courtesy/LAPS

LAPS News:

Los Alamos Public Schools Chief Financial Officer Lisa Montoya Comptroller and Teresa Gatewood were recently named as the new LAPS Financial Team. The two take over for John Wolfe and Alex Salazar, who took positions outside the district.

Montoya, who served in the district’s financial department five years ago as the comptroller, returns to the district in her new capacity as chief financial officer. Gatewood, who previously served as the LAPS interim payroll/general ledger supervisor (assistant to the comptroller) and senior general ledger technician, takes over as full time comptroller.

The two new financial experts quickly settled into the District’s Business Office routine. The tasks they are currently working on include strategies to increase transportation funding, assisting the auditor in the review of the District’s financial picture and developing a strategy for building next year’s school operational budget.

With the hiring of these two financial experts, the District’s financial picture will continue to be strong, Superintendent Gene Schmidt said. Between the two, they have 22 years of service working with school finance.