Effective July 1, UNM Rainforest Innovations is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael F. Buehler as Chair of its Board of Directors. Buehler succeeds Sandra K. Begay, who is stepping down as Board Chair after 15 years of leadership in the role and will continue serving as a member of the Board of Directors.
The UNM Rainforest Innovations Board of Directors brings together a diverse group of entrepreneurs, researchers, inventors, academics, administrators, business executives, and community leaders with local, national, and international expertise. The board provides strategic guidance to advance the UNM Rainforest Innovations mission of supporting the University of New Mexico and its partners through innovation management, technology commercialization, and economic development.
As Board Chair, Buehler will work alongside fellow board members and UNM Rainforest Innovations leadership to strengthen the organization’s efforts to translate University research into commercial opportunity, support startup creation, and drive innovation and economic growth in New Mexico and beyond.
Buehler currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at Nusenda Credit Union, where he oversees the organization’s lending operations, enterprise risk management, legal and professional services, and CUSO partner services. Since joining Nusenda in 1999, he has held positions as Financial Analyst and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to his tenure at Nusenda, Buehler built his career in the mortgage and real estate finance industry.
An advocate for economic development and higher education, Buehler has served on several community and nonprofit boards, including the Anderson School of Management Foundation, InnovateABQ Advisory Board, and the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce.
Buehler is a CUNA Certified Credit Union Executive (CCUE) and received both a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of New Mexico.