Originally from Long Island, New York, William “Bill” Mattiace has called Las Cruces his home, and has lived in District Two, for more than 30 years. Upon his arrival in Las Cruces, Mattiace immediately began his commitment to community service while studying Elementary Education at New Mexico State University.
In 1976 Mattiace founded and opened the Las Cruces Vocational College, which eventually evolved into the Doña Ana Community College. His path took him to Wallace Chevrolet, and later to the Sisbarro dealerships, where he was one of the top sales professionals in the region – because of his honesty and ability to negotiate fair deals. After graduating from the General Motors School of Finance Mattiace realized his passion for helping people, in this case with a set of keys. While working with his wife Wanda, owner of Adventure Travel, Mattiace got the itch for politics through the realization of the need to protect and support local businesses. (Ask him about the hot-dog truck side hustle sometime.)
Mattiace was elected to the Las Cruces City Council in 1998 and served District Two for one four-year term. In 2002, Mattiace was elected Mayor of Las Cruces in a special election and was reelected twice more, serving as Mayor for just under seven years. Mattiace is honored and humbled to have worked for the people of Las Cruces for nearly ten years as a public servant.
Most recently, Mattiace served as Executive Director of the New Mexico Border Authority from 2010-2018 – the state agency managing border infrastructure and commerce at New Mexico’s three busy ports of entry. The office also advised the office of the Governor regarding any potential business opportunities along the border. His service to the community is not only limited to his governmental involvement. Mattiace has always volunteered his time to a multitude of meaningful organizations and boards, to name a few; he’s a former member of New Mexico Economic Development Partnership, founding board member of the ChildSafe/Niños Seguros Initiative, former board member of the Ending Homelessness Task Force, founding board member of the Las Cruces Mayor’s Top Teens Program, former director of the NM Healthcare Insurance Alliance Board, former board member of the Boys and Girls Club Advisory Committee and former board member of the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico. Mattiace has also served as a founding board member, and past chairman, of HonorFlight of Southern New Mexico. Mattiace said he and other volunteers have found taking the heroes of Southern New Mexico to see their World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. has been the most rewarding experience of their lives and his.
Mattiace co-chaired the creation of Vision 2040, a comprehensive plan for responsible and sustainable growth in Doña Ana County. Mattiace has been married to Wanda (Nicolitz) Mattiace for 53 years. Wanda, a first-generation immigrant, has been in Las Cruces since she was five years old and was proudly raised in the “Chiva Town” area near S. Solano Drive in Las Cruces.
Wanda and Bill have three children: Lauren, his youngest, earned her degree in biology from New Mexico State University and a master’s from Vanderbilt University. Lauren is a nurse practitioner who serves the community at Amador Health Center. His middle child, William, holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from New Mexico State University and works in automotive experiential marketing and public relations. Michelle, his eldest, is the managing attorney with the Children Youth and Families Department in southern New Mexico. Now a single mother, Michelle raised three wonderful grandchildren in Las Cruces: Lila, Jack, and Luke.
Mattiace prides himself on always putting family first. He considers southern New Mexico the best place on Earth – his investment in community service is proof.