SANTA FE – A top human resources employee for New Mexico’s governor has stepped down after more than two years in the position to take a new role with President Joe Biden’s administration.

Pam Coleman, who was appointed to serve as director of the state personnel office in January 2019 under Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, will now transition into a top-ranking job with the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.

Coleman will serve as head of the federal budget office’s office of performance and personnel management, according to The Washington Post.

Coleman, 55, said in her Jan. 27 resignation letter that she would take a “mutual passion for public service” to the Biden administration, the Albuquerque Journal reported.

Coleman previously worked in Washington, D.C., for former President Barack Obama’s administration before being called to New Mexico. In New Mexico, Coleman worked to undo a state government human resources consolidation order implemented by the previous state governor and implemented a new parental paid leave policy for state employees.

“State government is a great place to work, and Pam helped make it even better, helping to implement new leave, and fitness and wellness policies and working with important labor partners, among other important projects,” Lujan Grisham said.

Lujan Grisham said Ricky Serna, a former deputy secretary at the department of workforce solutions and the higher education department, is serving as acting state personnel director.