Martin J. Chávez, three-term former mayor of Albuquerque, is Executive Director of ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA, the nation’s leading advocate for more than 600 local governments on climate change and sustainability. He is based in ICLEI USA's Washington D.C. Executive Office.

Chávez leads the growing national movement of U.S. cities, towns, and counties that are taking action to combat climate change, save energy, create green jobs, and improve the quality of life of residents and their communities. He directs ICLEI USA’s ongoing efforts to empower these local governments with the proven tools, resources, and expertise necessary to be successful and achieve their sustainability goals.

Known for his passion and unremitting commitment to clean energy and the environment, Chávez has garnered worldwide recognition for his accomplished work on climate and sustainability during his twelve years as Albuquerque mayor. He received the World Leadership Award for Water and Utilities (London) 2006, the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Award (first place) 2007, the EPA Climate Protection Award (first place) 2008, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce/Siemens Sustainability Award 2008 and the Renewable Energy Innovator of the Year Award/Association of Energy Engineers 2008, among several others.

Prior to becoming its Executive Director, Chávez was a member of the ICLEI USA Board of Directors and of the worldwide ICLEI Executive Committee. He also served as a Trustee of the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM), chaired the Urban Water Council, and was co-chair of USCM’s Climate Change Task Force, which involved lectures around the country and in France and Mexico. He was one of 4 mayors who served as an advisor to Newsweek Magazine on green initiatives. He assumed the Executive Director position at ICLEI USA on March 1, 2010.