ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CNM Ingenuity names Mark Fidel to interim CEO role
He replaces longtime chief executive Kyle Lee
CNM Ingenuity announced that Mark Fidel has been selected as the organization鈥檚 interim CEO, replacing Kyle Lee, who is stepping down after a decade in the role.
Formed in 2014 under the New Mexico University Research Park and Economic Development Act, CNM Ingenuity provides workforce programs spanning advanced manufacturing, film and technology.
Since November 2020, Fidel has served as chair of the organization鈥檚 board of directors. He will resign from that position to assume his interim CEO role, which began Wednesday and runs through the end of January 2027. Lee鈥檚 last day with CNM Ingenuity is Aug. 3.
The nonprofit said it will begin searching for a permanent CEO starting this fall. Fidel said he does not seek to hold the position permanently.
鈥淭his is an exciting moment for CNMI鈥檚 next chapter, and I鈥檓 honored to help carry it forward as we set the stage for a great permanent CEO,鈥� Fidel said in a statement.
Fidel holds a juris doctorate from the University of Denver and a master鈥檚 degree in business administration from the University of New Mexico.
His professional expertise spans entrepreneurship, law, finance, capital formation and nonprofit governance, CNM Ingenuity said in a news release. Notably, he is the co-founder of RiskSense Inc., a cybersecurity company he grew from its founding until his departure in 2021.
Lee, who led the nonprofit for a decade, said Fidel 鈥渉as a great understanding of the New Mexico University Research Park and Economic Development Act through his experience with RiskSense and other endeavors.鈥�
鈥淗e鈥檚 been a valued mentor to me and he is a thoughtful and caring leader who understands the organization鈥檚 mission, its partnerships and its potential,鈥� Lee said. 鈥淚 can think of no one better to help lead CNM Ingenuity through this transition while ensuring our innovative work continues to move forward with purpose and momentum.鈥�
Fidel attributes much of the organization鈥檚 foundation to Lee, saying he will continue building on Lee鈥檚 work leading the organization.
鈥淢y focus over these next six months is straightforward,鈥� Fidel said. 鈥淜eep our programs, partnerships, and people moving forward without interruption, while we strengthen the structure underneath, from our governance alignment with CNM to the relationships we鈥檙e building in quantum, space and advanced technology.鈥�
Keelin Fisher is a business reporter for the Journal. You can reach her at kfisher@abqjournal.com.
