My Mom is Crazy

Albuquerque Journal
Monday, April 27, 2009
 

City's Chief Financial Officer Heading to Iraq


Journal Staff Report
         Anna Lamberson is preparing to leave the political war zone for a real one.
        She will head to Iraq this summer with a civilian contractor to help rebuild local governments there.
        "I'm very grateful to the mayor and city of Albuquerque for the opportunity," Lamberson said this week in an interview. "I've learned tons. I hope I can put it to good use."
        Lamberson, the city's chief financial officer, has served in the mayoral administrations of Martin Chávez and Jim Baca. She has a doctorate in economics from the University of Utah, where she focused on international trade and development.
        "This is like going back to what I wanted to do," she said. "This is an offer I can't refuse."
        Lamberson will work for the Research Triangle Institute. She will be located in Iraq but isn't sure where yet.
        It's a one-year assignment. She will be a public-finance adviser for a reconstruction team.
        Under Lamberson, the city has seen its bond rating climb to "AAA" — one of the highest in the country for a municipality.
        Chávez said Lamberson is one of only a few executives he hired from the Baca administration after succeeding him in 2001. Chávez said he "didn't have to worry" about finances with Lamberson keeping watch.
        "She's a star in any environment," he said.