Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Marks had an extensive career in healthcare finance and rate setting. After serving as Hospital Programs Manager for Oregon Medicaid, he joined Myers and Stauffer LC, a mid-sized accounting firm, where he became a Principal (non-CPA partner) and led a national consulting practice extending to 20 states and the federal government. Mr. Marks’ accounting and consulting practice focused on government regulated/government operated health programs.
From 2005 through 2012, Jason Marks served as a member of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. As the only attorney member of the PRC, Marks conducted evidentiary and rule-making hearings, wrote orders and recommended decisions, and drafted statutes and regulations (including language that is now in the New Mexico Constitution). He also advised his colleagues on regulatory and governmental legal matters. The New Mexico Supreme Court reversed every appealed PRC Order where Marks dissented from the majority on a legal point (five cases), with the Court quoting Marks' dissent in two of its decisions. On multiple occasions, Marks was recognized in the Albuquerque Journal and elsewhere as the voice of ethics and accountability on the PRC, for calling attention to attempts to violate the Open Meetings Act other improper practices.
Mr. Marks’ law practice since concluding his second term as PRC Commissioner is based in Albuquerque and focuses on civil litigation and related advisory services. The practice includes commercial real estate transactional work and litigation, commercial litigation, and regulatory law. Although Mr. Marks is barred by “cooling-off period” statutes from personally appearing before the PRC prior to January 2015, he assists private sector clients in their dealings with energy and telecom utilities, performing both advisory and transactional work. Mr. Marks represents the trade association of state-licensed medical cannabis producers in regulatory proceedings before the Department of Health. He has also appeared before the Oil Conservation Division.
Under contract with German & Associates, LLC, Mr. Marks serves as defense attorney for several New Mexico school districts in litigation alleging violations of federal and state civil rights laws, tort claims, and breaches of contracts, including both employment and special education cases. Public entity defense comprises approximately one-quarter of the law practice. In addition, Marks serves as General Counsel for the Estancia Valley Economic Development Association.
Heather Townsend (Special Projects) has more than a decade of experience in tribal economic development, tribal government, and intergovernmental relations. She is a member of San Felipe Pueblo and Zuni Pueblo, and has a B.S. degree from Univ. of N.M. She has previously served as San Felipe Tribal Administrator and as legislative chair for 19 Indian Pueblos.