Graduates at the fall commencement ceremony will get to hear from a Western New Mexico University alum that has led a distinguished career of public service.
Colonel Alfred J. Perez will deliver the keynote address at the Fine Arts Center Theatre on Friday, December 11 at 2:30 p.m. The event can be seen live online: www.wnmu.edu/events/commencement-2015.
COL Perez was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the New Mexico Army National Guard in May 1989 as an officer in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAGC). COL Perez graduated from the 120th Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course in December 1989. He has also completed the Judge Advocate Officer Advanced Course and the Command and General Staff Officer Course. He has served as a Staff Judge Advocate for the 111th ADA BDE, the 111the MEB and the 93rd BDE. He currently serves as the Deputy State Judge Advocate, Joint Forces Headquarters, Santa Fe, NM.
COL Perez deployed from January 2008 through January 2009, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was assigned to Joint Task Force Guantanamo where he was assigned as Chief of Legal Assistance and served as Liaison to the Office of Military Commissions.
A career civilian prosecutor, COL Perez is currently an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of New Mexico, where he is assigned as a section supervisor. He has worked for the U.S. Attorney’s Office since November of 1995, during which time he has prosecuted cases involving violations of federal narcotics, immigration, firearm, and child exploitation laws. COL Perez is licensed to practice before the State Courts of New Mexico, the U.S. District Court of New Mexico, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.
From January 1993 to November of 1995, COL Perez worked for the State of New Mexico as Chief Deputy District Attorney for the Sixth Judicial District. From May 1984 through December 1992, he worked as an Assistant District Attorney and Chief Deputy District Attorney with the Third Judicial District. From June 1981 to May 1984 he worked for the State of New Mexico as an Assistant Public Defender in Bernalillo County.
COL Perez graduated from Western New Mexico University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration concentrating in Marketing and Management, and received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law. He is a Silver High School graduate and was raised in Silver City.