Recently, Dale Erquiaga resigned from his position as director of Museums, Libraries and Arts. The Nevada Appeal reported he was the director of this department for six months. (Indications from staff at the Department of Museums, Libraries and Arts are that Mr. Erquiaga's assignment was a political appointment by our governor after he was sworn into office earlier this year.)
The question is, where is Mr. Erquiaga's allegiance to the state of Nevada and to the governor who appointed him? It is obvious to me that his allegiance does not lie with the citizens of this great state.
Historically, Mr. Erquiaga has worked in at least two positions for the state of Nevada. He has now resigned twice within the past three and one-half years to pursue opportunities in private business. (He formerly held a position with the Secretary of State's Office and now he resigned from the director's position in August.)
Apparently the opportunity he pursued three and one-half years ago in the private sector (reportedly the Hughes Corp. in Las Vegas) didn't last. Now another opportunity in private enterprise (R&R Partners) is too much for Mr. Erquiaga to pass up, so much of an opportunity that he was the director of the Department of Museums, Libraries and Arts for half a year.
Did our governor know when he appointed Mr. Erquiaga as director that he would remain in that capacity for six months? Did the governor know what education Mr. Erquiaga possessed that would qualify him for such a position?
If the governor knew any of the above, then I question the governor's decision to appoint Mr. Erquiaga as director. I'm convinced the governor would have required at least a 12 month commitment. A year's commitment would certainly lend to more continuity of supervision and services for the staff.
My guess is that Mr. Erquiaga's allegiance lies with himself and his alignment to the Republican party in Nevada. Possibly he has political aspirations of his own. Aligning himself with R&R Partners (Sid Rogich and others) won't deter those aspirations.
I'm sure Mr. Erquiaga will continue to jump at whatever job offer he identifies will improve his status. Certainly he cannot be critiqued for improving himself. However, I would recommend he quit using state service and the citizens of Nevada to facilitate his personal and political goals.
