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COMMUNITY TRAILBLAZERS SELECTED FOR PRESTIGIOUS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

Leadership New Mexico Announces 2023-2024 Core Class

Albuquerque, NM – Leadership New Mexico is proud to announce 46 distinguished New Mexicans, from 18 different communities have been selected as the prestigious Core Class of 2023-2024. The Core Program connects diverse leaders through experiential learning programs and activities to help foster solutions to our state’s most pressing issues.

“It is an honor to be accepted into this highly competitive program,” Leadership New Mexico President Diego Espinoza said. “The diversity and accomplishments of the upcoming class are astonishing, and I am excited to see how they will take what they learn and improve our state.”

During the 10-month-long Core Program, participants visit the state’s different regions and tour their major employers and economic hubs. Members will experience the unique culture of each area and learn about its opportunities and challenges. They will also hear from New Mexico’s subject matter experts focused on education, agriculture, economic development, crime, and much more. This process offers an opportunity for inquiry, analysis, and the development of solutions.

Participants from Albuquerque Metro Area:

• Johnny Barton, Brycon Corporation, Division Manager (Albuquerque, NM)
• Robert Chavez, Youth Development, Inc., Chief Executive Officer (Albuquerque, NM)
• Daniel Cheshire, TechSource, Inc., Contracts Director (Albuquerque, NM)
• Dr. Michael Chicarelli, University of New Mexico Hospital, Chief Operation Officer (Bosque Farms, NM)
• Jeffery Duer, Great Southwest Council, Chief Executive Officer (Albuquerque, NM)
• Brian Earnest, Amreston Homes, Division President (Rio Rancho, NM)
• Kelly Fajardo, The Fajardo Group, LLC, Owner (Albuquerque, NM)
• Shawna Frost, Meals on Wheels New Mexico, Chief Executive Officer (Albuquerque, NM)
• Rafael Gonzalez, Sandia National Laboratories, Director (Albuquerque, NM)
• Dr. Christina Hall, Wishbone Chiropractic, Owner/Doctor of Chiropractic (Albuquerque, NM)
• Daisy Hernandez, Laguna Development Corporation, Corporate Director of HR (Albuquerque, NM)
• Rep. Joshua Hernandez, New Mexico Legislature, State Representative (Rio Rancho, NM)
• Cristin Heyns-Bousliman, REDW LLC, Principal & Practice Leader (Albuquerque, NM)
• Sara Keller, Nusenda Credit Union, Vice President of Community Engagement (Rio Rancho, NM)
• Sean Martinez, Bank of the West, Vice President (Albuquerque, NM)
• Suzanne Mirabal, First National 1870, Senior Vice President, Commercial Team Leader (Albuquerque, NM)
• Erin Muffoletto, Comcast, External Affairs Manager (Albuquerque, NM)
• Dr. John Pearson, Healthcare, Chief Executive (Albuquerque, NM)
• Scott Reynolds, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, First Vice President – Senior Financial Advisor (Albuquerque, NM)
• Juan Sanchez, Radical Hope, PC, Owner (Albuquerque, NM)
• Joshua Smith, WaFd Bank of New Mexico, NM Commercial Division Manager (Cedar Crest, NM)
• Denise Wilcox, New Mexico Gas Company, Vice President HR & Corporate Security (Corrales, NM)

Participants from Eastern New Mexico Area:

• Rosie Duran, Eastern New Mexico University – Roswell, Vice President of Business Affairs (Roswell, NM)
• Dr. James Johnston, Eastern New Mexico University – Portales, Chancellor/President (Portales, NM)
• Shelly Schmidt, USAF, 27 Special Operations Civil Engineering Squadron, Registered Architect, Engineering Flight Chief (Clovis, NM)
• Claudia Yanez, USAF, Budget Officer/Section Chief (Clovis, NM)

Participants from Southern New Mexico Area:

• Stacie Allen, Tresco, Inc., Community Engagement Manager (Las Cruces, NM)
• Leon Duquella, U.S. Department of Energy, Division Director (Hobbs, NM)
• Elizabeth Foster, New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau, Chief Executive Officer (Las Cruces, NM)
• Khushroo Ghadiali, Devon Energy, Community Relations (Carlsbad, NM)
• Bethany Hoffman, Big Brothers, Big Sisters Mountain Region, Senior Director (Las Cruces, NM)
• Sonja Jamilla, Souder, Miller & Associates, Chief Information Officer (Las Cruces, NM)
• Shannon Johnson, Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, Vice President, Networking & Partnerships (Midland, TX)
• Farrah Marquez, First American Bank, Market President (Las Cruces, NM)
• Van Myrick, City of Jal, Public Works Director (Jal, NM)
• Miguel Perez, Pioneer Bank, Regional VP/Commercial Loan Officer (Hobbs, NM)
• Susana Rodriguez, Pettigrew & Associates, P.A., Business Manager (Hobbs, NM)
• Brandi Selby, American Document Services, Chief Executive Officer/Co-Owner (Las Cruces, NM)
• Twilla Thomason, Western Commerce Bank, Vice President & Trust Officer (Hobbs, NM)
• Emily Wirth, CEHMM, Executive Director (Carlsbad, NM)

Participants from Northern New Mexico Area:

• Kyle Burns, The Rikoon Group, President (Santa Fe, NM)
• Rebecca Grisolano, Cooper Fire Protection Services, Inspections and Service Manager (Kirtland, NM)
• Melvin (Vince) Moffitt, Basin Health Companies, Chief Executive Officer (Farmington, NM)
• Monica Martinez-Archuleta, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Community Outreach Specialist (Ojo Caliente, NM)
• Kari Olson, Montgomery & Andrews PA, Shareholder (Santa Fe, NM)
• Representative Joseph Sanchez, Los Alamos National Laboratory/NM Legislature, Senior Electrical Engineer / State Representative (Alcalde, NM)

This is the twenty-eighth class of the Leadership New Mexico Core Program.

The Core Program is open to all citizens of the state. Leadership New Mexico selects a class each year of 40-45 leaders who represent a cross-section of the various geographic regions as well as public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Special consideration is given to ensure diversity of race, gender, and occupational background.

Since its founding in 1995, Leadership New Mexico has provided a non-partisan perspective on statewide topics of concern and opportunities for improvement. The organization identifies current and emerging leaders throughout New Mexico, enhances their leadership skills and deepens their knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing our state.

Leadership New Mexico is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization governed by a Board of Directors from throughout the state of New Mexico.  For more information about Leadership New Mexico’s programs visit our website at www.leadershipnm.org.