Jerry elected to the
New Mexico State Senate in 2004 and reelected to a second
term in 2008. State Senate District 12, is a large, very diverse
part of the City of Albuquerque, including the Downtown area
and surrounding historic neighborhoods, the University area
and a major portion of the South Valley on the west side of
the Rio Grande.
He has been there to support working families, economic growth and health and human services reforms.
Jerry has served on these standing committees:
- Rules
- Indian Affairs
- Public Affairs
- Corporations and Transportation standing committees
and on these interim committees:
- Welfare Reform
- Information Technology
- Land Grants
- Ethics
- Health and Human Services
Jerry has worked in State and Local government agencies; university and college teaching; United Way administration; child advocacy initiatives
and private, non-profit social agencies as well as in the private, for-profit sector with an Employee Assistance Program (Human Affairs International) operated by Aetna Insurance.
In July, 2008, at the age of 66, Jerry retired from full-time employment following a forty-two year career as a social worker, social welfare program administrator,
human services and human resource management professor and community organizer and social services planner.
His interests broadened gradually over the years from an initial focus on mental health and children’s protective services to work in child and family advocacy,
substance abuse, positive youth development and early childhood programming.
He has lived and worked throughout New Mexico (Las Cruces, Taos, Las Vegas and Santa Fe) but have spent the past 31 years in Albuquerque.
Educational Background
BA in Latin American Studies (University of New Mexico, 1965
Masters in Social Work (Tulane University School of Social Work, 1968
Accomplishments
Founded (with two other social workers) a private adoption and foster care agency called La Familia, a major social service provider in the Albuquerque area.
Founded Five Charter High Schools for drop-outs in Albuquerque, Deming and Anthony:
Robert F. Kennedy Charter School (2000)
Cesar Chavez Charter High School (2003)
Gordon Bernell Charter High School(2007)
two similar schools in Deming (2005) and Anthony (2008)
All five of these schools are focused on returning drop-out
adolescents and young adults to complete their high school
education. Together they enroll almost 1,000 former drop-outs
and are graduating over 100 per year.
Jerry was a founder of the New Mexico Forum on Community
and Youth Development, which supports positive Youth Development
throughout New Mexico which fosters the Youth Alliance, a
body of young New Mexicans who advise the Lieutenant Governor
and the Children’s Cabinet on youth-related policies and issues.
1995—2001 - served on the Board of the Porter-Cason Institute at the Tulane University School of Social Work, advising the Dean and
administration of the School on a large donation given to Tulane to “further family therapy education”.
Instructor for Webster University and for St. Francis College in their evening programs in Albuquerque. Jerry taught Human Resource Management
(Webster) and Criminal Justice (St. Francis) during a five year period in the 1980’s.
Newspaper columnist writing on political and social issues for the Santa Fe Reporter (1977--2003) and for The Weekly Alibi in Albuquerque (since 2001).
contributes occasionally to other publications in New Mexico.
Registered lobbyist with New Mexico State Legislature with twelve years’ experience, as advocate for low-income families, children and non-profit social agencies,
including the Children’s Continuum, the Adolescent Continuum, United Way Agencies, the Human Needs Coordinating Council and the Children’s Agenda.
Employment
Before 1980
Public social agencies: Child welfare worker in Las Cruces
and Las Vegas (1965-69); Community organizer in Taos (1969-71)
College of Santa Fe social work assistant professor (1971-74)
State Health and Social Services Title XX Bureau Chief (1974-78)
New Mexico Highlands University Management Training Center
staff (1978-80)
1980 to 1993
New Mexico Youth Work Alliance State Director (1980-82)
Director, Social Services Division, New Mexico Human Services Department (1983-84)
Human Affairs International (EAP) (directed Albuquerque office) (1985-88)
United Way of Central New Mexico, director of community relations (1989-93)
1993 to 2008
Director, New Mexico Advocates for Children and Families (1993-97)
Director, City of Albuquerque Dept. of Family and Community Services (1997-2001)
NM Community Foundation, Coordinator of SPARK statewide planning project (2002)
Director, Protective Services Division State CYFD (January-April, 2003)
Director of Family Services Division, HELP-NM, Inc. (June, 2004 to July, 2008)
Personal
Jerry is married to Donna Bruzzese, a marriage and family therapist in private practice. They have three adult children and four adult step-children.
They also have eleven grand-children and step grand-children.
Jerry is a native New Mexican, born in Santa Fe to a family with roots in colonial times. He has been involved in many religious, cultural and civic ventures.
Jerry is a fluent Spanish speaker.
Jerry is a member of the Peace and Justice Commission of the Aquinas Newman Center at UNM. He does volunteer work with the Center for Action and Contemplation in the Atrisco area.
Jerry and Donna have traveled to El Salvador several times in support of a community based organization there called APRODEHNI, the Association for the Protection of the Rights of Children.
The Ortiz y Pinos have been active members of the Downtown Neighborhood Association in central Albuquerque for twenty-five years.
