Being raised in a community where your history connects to every part of your present, it is difficult to find the courage to leave. It is similarly difficult to forge a path and stay. Questa del Rio News is committed to highlighting different members of our community, both those who have created their paths and planted their own roots in the community that raised them, and those who have pursued lives outside of the community—through our Representando series. This series is dedicated to those who are Representando communities in northern Taos County, in various facets of life.
Growing up in Questa, Malaquias “JR” Rael learned early the importance of hard work, taking pride in his work, and serving others—values he attributes to his parents, Malaquias and Danette Rael. One example of this spirit of service was when his mom stepped up to coach his soccer team, despite having never played the sport. “She volunteered so my friends and I could continue playing,” JR says. “Looking back, I really appreciate those sacrifices she made. It taught me that sometimes, you have to step up and take on new challenges, even when you don’t have all the answers right away.” These lessons of service and initiative would stay with Rael throughout his life, guiding him in his career and community involvement.
Rael’s early work experiences began at his family’s hardware store and Texaco gas station (now North Star). He recalls his uncle Marcus giving him his “first job” when he was about eight years old, counting bolts for inventory. “He made it feel like the most important job in the world,” Rael says. “Even though I was just a kid, he introduced me to terms like inventory and showed me how important those small tasks were to the bigger picture.” At the Texaco, Rael worked for tips, pumping gas and washing windows for customers. His father reinforced the lesson of taking pride in even the smallest jobs. “If you’re going to wash someone’s windshield, do it right,” Rael remembers his dad saying. “It wasn’t just about the task—it was about showing respect to the people you’re serving.” These lessons on attention to detail and commitment to excellence would stick with Rael throughout his life, reinforcing the idea that pride in one’s work makes all the difference.
In addition to learning the value of hard work, JR quickly realized the importance of connecting with people. Working in family businesses allowed him to hear a wide range of stories from the community. These experiences taught him valuable life lessons. “To be successful in any job, you have to understand people. You have to treat everyone with respect, no matter who they are,” Rael explains.
Rael carried these lessons forward when he joined student government and council during his school years, further developing his leadership skills. His curiosity about how systems worked, coupled with his desire to serve, would eventually lead him to a career in public service. “I’ve always been the kind of person who asks ‘why.’ I wanted to understand the bigger picture. That drive to learn, to understand, and to help—it’s been a constant in my life,” Rael says.
After graduating from Questa High in 2005, Rael moved to Albuquerque to pursue a degree in business administration. While attending the University of New Mexico, Rael started interning at Robles, Rael & Anaya, a private law firm specializing in civil rights and defense work. He continued working there after graduating in 2009, taking on business administration duties and eventually managing the firm’s operations. “Being part of a growing business gave me invaluable experience,” Rael reflects. “It taught me how to manage not just the business side of things, but also the human side of running an organization.
Though Rael briefly considered law school, his passion for business management and public service ultimately won out. In 2008, he began volunteering for Hector Balderas’s political campaign for state auditor, eventually serving as campaign treasurer. Managing long hours and long distances, Rael found himself further immersed in the values of public service and community leadership. “Working on campaigns is hard work, especially when you’re on the road for hours and facing opposition. But I’ve always believed in treating people with respect—even those who disagree with me. It’s through these connections that we can make real change,” Rael says.
Rael’s work on campaigns and the business management of a busy law firm eventually led to a position in the attorney general’s office, as chief administrative officer, where he managed the day-to-day operations of the agency, worked on policy issues related to natural resource management, data privacy, opioid awareness, and the crisis of murdered and missing Indigenous people. “From the very beginning, I’ve been driven by the desire to serve my community. I’ve always been interested in policy and government because it’s the way you can make a real difference in people’s lives,” Rael says.
In 2022, Rael was appointed deputy state treasurer for New Mexico, overseeing the state’s banking services and investment division. During his tenure, he managed the day-to-day operations of the agency during the state’s historic revenues and led efforts to modernize operations, including the implementation of new forecasting software and portfolio management systems. His focus on serving the public remained steadfast, ensuring the safeguarding and fiscal management of New Mexico’s finances.
Currently, Rael serves as the executive operations officer for the city of Albuquerque, working on citywide initiatives. “My job is all about connecting different agencies and departments to make sure we’re all working together toward a common goal,” Rael says. “It’s about making sure that people’s needs are met and that the city is a place where everyone can thrive.”
Throughout his career, Rael’s roots in Questa have remained a constant source of inspiration and grounding. “Questa has shaped me in so many ways,” Rael says. “It’s a small town, but it’s where I learned the value of hard work, of taking pride in what you do, and of always showing up for others. That community spirit has stayed with me in everything I do.”
Rael credits his wife, Dr. Sandra Montes, for teaching him more about strength and resilience through her own life experiences. “She’s shown me the power of perseverance, and we share a common work ethic and a deep commitment to serving others,” Rael says. “I’m incredibly proud to be her husband.”
As Rael looks to the future, his commitment to learning and service remains unchanged. “I want to grow to an old age and be someone who is still learning and serving the world around me,” Rael says. And through it all, he remains deeply connected to the community that raised him and the values that continue to guide him.
