The Re-1 Montezuma-Cortez School District reports it has hired Kyle Archibeque to serve as the new finance director.

He replaces Melissa Brunner, who ran the department for 18 years.

Archibeque previously worked as finance director for the Central Consolidated School District in Shiprock, New Mexico, which has 5,000 students. He also worked as a finance support analysis for Oracle in Colorado Springs and has held several other accounting positions.

At Central Consolidated, he was responsible for a general fund budget of approximately $60 million.

Archibeque holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Colorado Technical University and a master’s in accounting from Western Governors University. He is a graduate of Montezuma-Cortez High School.

“I look forward to working with this administration, school board and community for many years to come,” Archibeque said.

“We’re excited to welcome Kyle to our RE-1 team,” said Re-1 Superintendent Lori Haukeness. “He brings strong expertise in finance along with a knowledge of, and dedication to, our community. We extend a deep thanks to Melissa for her years of service and wish her the best in her retirement.”

Brunner said the pandemic “caused me to reevaluate my priorities and retire early to spend more time with my family.”

She will work part time for several months to help with the transition. She also served as the Montezuma County administrator from 2013 to 2018.