Ken Miyagishima

Kenneth Daniel Gallegos Miyagishima (born May 15, 1963) is an American businessman and politician, currently serving as the mayor of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Miyagishima took office in 2007.

Miyagishima was born in Biloxi, Mississippi. He is of both Mexican and Japanese descent. He has lived in Las Cruces, New Mexico since 1971. He attended public schools and in 1985 graduated from New Mexico State University with degrees in finance and real estate.

In 1984, Miyagishima began his insurance and financial services business while still in college.

In 1992, he became New Mexico's first American of Japanese descent to be elected to public office. From 1998 through 2000 he was voted "Best County Commissioner" in a local newspaper readers' poll. In 2002, he received the Commander's Award for Public Service from the United States Department of the Army. Miyagishima won re-election as City Councilman in 2005 running unopposed. Miyagishima is the first American of Japanese and Mexican descent to be elected Mayor of Las Cruces. He is also the second person in Doña Ana County to have been elected both Chairman of the Doña Ana County Commission and Mayor of Las Cruces.

In August 2013, Miyagishima unsuccessfully applied to become Doña Ana County Manager.

Ken is married to Rosario Miyagishima (née Rodriguez), and they have four children.