‘People Profile’

Featuring Peter Messerer, Senior Business Operations Analyst with the New Mexico Department of Public Safety, Missing Persons Clearinghouse.

DPS: Greetings Peter! What makes the Department of Public Safety a unique place to work?

Peter: The overall impact that your work has. In many companies, your contributions generally tie back to the bottom line; however, with the Department of Public Safety, your work impacts communities, families across cities and contributes to the safety of the State of New Mexico as a whole.

DPS: What drew you to this role and how did you get started?

Peter: Coming from Hotel Management, I wanted a role where I could continue learning and growing both professionally and personally, while having a meaningful impact beyond the workplace. I wanted to contribute to a mission that I could get behind, and I can proudly say that this role has exceeded all those expectations and more.

DPS: What are you most proud of - accomplishments?

Peter: Many of my proudest accomplishments come from the people I've had the pleasure of working with. I've found coaching and mentoring team members - and learning from mentors myself - to be some of the most rewarding moments in my career. Recently, I had the opportunity to assist in planning for the Department of Public Safety's booth in the Governor's Spring Fling, which I am very excited to be contributing to.

DPS: If you could give your younger self one piece of career advice, what would it be?

Peter: Don't be afraid to make mistakes; learn from them. Failure is part of growth; even Formula 1 drivers crash at the highest level. It's better to try and fail, than to never try at all.

DPS: Who or what inspires you in your career today?

Peter: My father, Klaus Messerer. As a German immigrant who recently became a dual citizen of the United States. He works harder than anyone I've ever met in my life. As a woodworker, he demonstrates tenacity, patience, and diligence every day - qualities that inspire me to keep pushing myself in both my work and my life.

DPS: What's a small win at work that recently made your day?

Peter: Funnily enough, a recent win was discovering a discrepancy in our files while working on a new website for the Missing Persons Clearinghouse. It stood out to me because the issue was ultimately uncovered through the improvements we were making and because it created another opportunity to learn and contribute meaningfully to the organization.

DPS: How do you achieve balance between work and your personal life?

Peter: This was hard at first in my career, since I can be a bit of a workaholic. What truly helped was reframing what life outside of work was. From "life being an escape from work," to "life being an opportunity to recharge and bring my 'A-Game' the next day." Now, when I'm not working, you can find me outdoors, on my motorcycle, climbing a cliff-face, or going on a backpacking trip with my friends.

Story by New Mexico Department of Public Safety Public Information Officer John Heil. Photo by DPS Media Relations Unit - Curtis Althaus.