Senator Stephen H. Fischmann
Senator Stephen H. Fischmann (D-Dona Ana & Sierra-37) ("Steve") was elected to his first term as State Senator during the 2008 General Election. Steve has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Marketing from the University of California, Los Angeles. He is married to Sandy Katayanagi, and has two sons from a prior marriage, Sam, 26 and Zack, 24.
Steve had a 20-year career with Levi Strauss & Company where he worked as a strategic planner, operations director, and President of its designer businesses. He subsequently owned a real estate brokerage and property inspection business.
After retiring to the Las Cruces area Steve became involved in public policy issues involving his region and community. As a result, he saw many practices that appeared to waste public funds and result in policies contrary to the public's desires. That led to his focusing on local issues related to land use, energy policy and public participation in governmental decision-making. He believes in conserving New Mexico's unique public lands, pursuing renewable energy policies that create jobs, and schools that better prepare kids for the workplace.
Steve is committed to tying economic development, education, and job training together especially in the fields of renewable energy, and aerospace engineering. He believes this will be key to the success of Spaceport America, and to developing the plentiful renewable resources in Southern New Mexico. He is also committed to increased affordability and access to health care. Steve is also a backer of efficient and open government, including ethics and campaign finance reform.
Steve currently serves as Chair of the Southwest Energy Alliance, and has served on the boards of Southern New Mexico Common Cause, Southwest Environmental Center and Coalition for Clean and Affordable Energy. Steve's approach to problem solving is to first find the areas of agreement among stakeholders and then work through the areas of conflict. He says he is committed to broadening the common ground rather than staking out battlegrounds.
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