The Speakers and Panelists

Dr. Richard Daniel Mestas, is the current City Manager of Raton, New Mexico. Raton is a statutory municipality and the county seat of Colfax County in northeastern New Mexico with a Commission/Manager form of government. He is a retired US Government civil servant who started his first federal job as a Roads and Grounds Maintenance Worker (WG-01) at the Pueblo Depot Activity in the summer of 1983 and finished as Chief, Space OPINTEL Training, Doctrine and Education Branch (J27) for United States Space Command at Peterson Space Force Base and Kirtland Air Force Base in December 2022. He previously served as Director of Campus Operations/Assistant Professor at the National Intelligence University in Bethesda, Maryland.

Dr. Mestas received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Colorado State University-Pueblo in 1985, a Master of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College in 2005 and his Doctor of Public Administration Degree from the University of Baltimore in 2012. His research interests include agriculture, natural resources, network science, and competing bureaucracies. He is a Gulf War veteran where he served as a commissioned officer (Ordnance) in the United States Army and Army Reserve. He has been awarded the Defense Intelligence Agency Director’s Award, the Joint Civilian Service Commendation Medal, The Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and numerous other military and Department of Defense civilian awards.

Dr. Mestas’ POSSLQ is Mary Elder, retired as Assistant Regional Director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2022. Ms. Elder is a Navy veteran.  They reside in their cabin near the top of Raton Pass on the Colorado / New Mexico border with their two Saint Bernard dogs, Blanche and Margaret.

Ron Kresha is the Chief Financial Officer and a founding member of Golden Shovel Agency, where he combines entrepreneurial vision with financial expertise to empower communities for long-term success. With a strong focus on strategy and innovation, Ron analyzes economic trends and leads unique projects that enhance the agency’s impact.

A natural connector, Ron thrives on building relationships and understanding the real-world challenges community leaders face. He brings a resilient, hands-on approach to every initiative, always seeking new ways to support clients’ goals. Based in Little Falls, Minnesota, Ron enjoys piloting aircraft, crafting wooden games, and staying engaged in the world of entrepreneurship.

Dr. Shanna Sasser serves as the Deputy Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Tourism Department, where she helps to lead the state’s efforts to expand tourism as a driver of economic development, job creation, and community vitality.

Before joining the department, Dr. Sasser served as the Economic Development Administrator for the City of Los Alamos, where she worked to advance strategic initiatives to diversify the local economy and strengthen the connection between innovation, culture, and quality of life. She also previously served as New Mexico’s first Rural and Frontier Ombudsman, advocating for small communities and helping local governments access state and federal resources to support sustainable growth.

Dr. Sasser’s career began in higher education, where she worked to expand access and success for underrepresented students. Her doctoral research focused on improving outcomes for underserved student populations, reflecting her long-standing commitment to equity and community empowerment.

She brings that same passion to her work in tourism-using it as an economic tool to create opportunity across New Mexico, especially in rural and frontier communities that showcase the state’s unique heritage, landscapes, and creative spirit.

As CEO of investUS LLC and Managing Partner of investUS Opportunity Fund, Ms. Burns focuses on bringing new sources of private investment capital to New Mexico to invest in worthwhile businesses, real estate projects, and municipalities. A New Mexico native, Deborah is passionate about unlocking the potential of communities to flourish and seeing New Mexican’s thrive.  

 Ms. Burns’ financial career spans more than 30 years and includes roles as an institutional investment officer in New York City, finance officer at a New Mexico start-up company that became a $58 billion NYSE publicly traded company, and Chief Lending Officer for a New Mexico community bank. In these roles, she honed her ability to determine key factors for business sustainability, profitability and growth in a wide variety of industries. Ms. Burns founded the Project Finance Group at TIAA, and she was the lead institutional investor for a variety of power projects in the US and emerging markets, sports arena and other infrastructure construction and long-term loans. During her investment career, she invested more than $3 billion. While at the NM startup company, she issued over $40 billion in publicly traded securities and managed $1.4 billion in bank credit facilities.  

 Ms. Burns has an A.B in Economics from Princeton University and an Executive MBA in Finance from New York University Stern School of Business. Ms. Burns lives in Albuquerque with her husband and son and enjoys swimming and Pilates.  

Eric Gibson has a bachelor’s degree in international business economics from Weber State University and master’s degree in economics from Purdue University. Eric is the Vice-president of Data Analytics and Director of Economic Development for Better City LLC. He currently leads projects in Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico and has worked across the county in other states including in Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Washington, and Virginia. His engagements have led to more than $2 million in grant funds awarded to municipal clients and small businesses. He developed several data products including community dashboards, redevelopment area reporting tools, and peer-community identification and comparison. He has deep experience with creating strategic plans, conducting feasibility studies, and working with local stakeholders and leaders to align resources, increase local capacity, and implement catalytic projects. Eric’s most recent focus is on the importance of data analysis and its benefits to small communities. He was a featured speaker at the Arizona Rural Policy Forum in 2025, where he presented on best practices and case studies for building community resilience.

LinkedIn profile linkedin.com/in/eric-l-gibson 

Jonah Reynolds has been designing, developing and building off-grid, super sustainable buildings in the United States and all over the world for over 40 years.

Jonah has extensive knowledge in designing off-grid living systems for new construction and retrofit/remodel projects of all sizes and in all climates and geographic conditions.

His projects include residences in challenging, remote hillside locations, emergency shelters in Haiti and schools and community buildings in Malawi and Sierra Leone.

Since long before co-founding Pangea Design Build, Jonah has been an integral part of Earthship Biotecture, the birthplace of the Earthship concept, in New Mexico with his father, Michael Reynolds.

Jonah’s unique life experience includes traveling to dozens of countries to teach and assist thousands of individuals become self sufficient threw off-grid living structures.

Mr. Jaden K. Welch, PMP, City of Raton Community Director of Engineering, will serve as Project Director. Mr. Welch manages procurement and grant identification for Raton, reviews and approves engineering plans and specifications, prepares site plans and project requirements. In addition to providing technical support to Raton’s Water and Power departments, he assists in managing public works and all facilities departments. With over a decade of experience managing design, development, and optimization of radiation hardened power supplies, Mr. Welch will leverage his technical and management experience to ensure project success.

LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaden-welch-1409b242

Bret Weir serves as a Councilor for the Village of Angel Fire, where he plays an active role in advancing local economic development, infrastructure planning, and community resilience. With a strong focus on rural innovation, Bret brings a practical and community-driven perspective to policy, housing development, and regional collaboration efforts. His leadership in Angel Fire reflects a deep commitment to sustainable growth, responsive governance, and supporting Northern New Mexico’s future.

Jennifer Myers is a seasoned economic development professional with over 15 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. She holds a BA in Business Administration (Magna Cum Laude) from the University of New Mexico and has worked with organizations such as the State of New Mexico Economic Development Department, City of Albuquerque, and the Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance (AREA) to drive community growth, business expansion, and job creation.

Currently, as the Community, Business & Rural Development Team Leader at the New Mexico Economic Development Department, Jennifer leads a team of 13 and manages critical grant programs, including LEADS and Certified Economic Development Organization Certification. In her previous role as Statewide Disaster Recovery Coordinator, she played a key role in the state’s COVID-19 recovery efforts, facilitating relief funds and supporting business recovery across New Mexico.

With broad experience in economic development, grant compliance, and government relations, Jennifer is dedicated to helping New Mexico’s communities thrive through effective planning, resource allocation, and business support. Her diverse background spans industries such as government, construction, payroll, and cybersecurity, making her a versatile leader in driving economic growth.

 Jackie Thornburg is a dynamic Administrative Professional with over a decade of experience supporting executives and cross-functional teams across government, healthcare, and hospitality sectors. She currently serves as an Economic Development Program Support Specialist at the New Mexico Economic Development Department, where she plays a pivotal role in launching and coordinating three of the state’s newest strategic initiatives: Site Readiness, Utility Pre-deployment, and Trade Ports Development. Her contributions ensure seamless application processes, efficient board coordination, and successful program execution.

Jackie’s technical expertise includes managing calendars, coordinating meetings, and overseeing a wide range of administrative functions. She brings advanced proficiency in office software and exceptional communication skills—refined during her tenure at Los Alamos National Laboratory, where she supported scientific operations and maintained strict confidentiality under Q clearance.

Her earlier career in healthcare, with roles in patient access, staffing coordination, and call center leadership, reflects a deep commitment to service, regulatory compliance, and effective communication. Prior experience in hospitality further sharpened her customer-first mindset and leadership capabilities.

Now focused on government-facing and technically complex programs, Jackie combines administrative precision, system fluency, and frontline insight to drive operational excellence and deliver meaningful impact across New Mexico’s economic development landscape.

Andrew Portalatin serves as an Environmental Protection Specialist with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6, where he supports communities in revitalizing underutilized and contaminated properties through the Brownfields Program. With a focus on environmental justice and sustainable redevelopment, Andrew helps local governments, tribal nations, and nonprofit organizations access federal resources to assess, clean up, and repurpose vacant land and buildings.

His work spans technical assistance, grant administration, and interagency coordination, making him a key resource for communities seeking to turn blight into opportunity. Andrew is especially passionate about helping rural and underserved communities navigate complex regulatory frameworks and leverage Brownfields funding to support long-term economic development and health equity.

Savannah’s background is in environmental planning and brownfields. Since 2018, she has been with the New Mexico Environment Department, managing an EPA Assessment Grant and leading various remediation efforts. As of February 2023, she has taken on the role of Team Leader, showcasing her management skills and commitment to brownfields assessment, cleanup, and redevelopment.

Before her current position, Savannah spent five years in southern California, where she worked in county government and consulting, moving development projects through the California Environmental Quality Act compliance process and helping developers understand habitat conservation plans. Her career in the brownfields sector started in 2010 at the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, where she began as an intern.

Educationally, Savannah holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from Oklahoma State University and a Master’s in Regional and City Planning from the University of Oklahoma.

Matt Ashby is recognized as a trailblazer in community development, bringing more than 23 years of experience to the field. As Vice President of Development Services at Ayres, Matt is known for his dynamic approach to brownfield innovation and Main Street revitalization. He has managed more than a dozen EPA Assessment Grant projects nationwide, helping communities transform underutilized sites into vibrant assets through creative public engagement, strategic planning, and visionary placemaking.

Matt’s expertise spans downtown development, comprehensive and strategic planning, code writing, design review, and zoning entitlements. He has played a pivotal role in Main Street programs across Colorado and Wyoming, including serving as Executive Director of the Windsor Downtown Development Authority for nearly seven years. His leadership has guided multi-block redevelopment efforts, historic preservation initiatives, and the revitalization of landmark sites like the Old Windsor Mill.

A recognized thought leader, Matt has developed signature initiatives such as the Pickaxe Economic Impact and Storytelling Toolkit, redefining Main Street communications and branding for dozens of communities. He is a frequent speaker at state, regional, and national conferences, sharing insights on brownfield redevelopment and downtown revitalization. Matt’s commitment to community-driven solutions is further reflected in his service on the Wyoming Main Street Advisory Board and his award-winning work in both public and private sectors.

With a passion for helping communities realize their vision, Matt’s work at Ayres continues to support transformative projects that blend environmental stewardship, economic growth, and authentic placemaking.

Synthia Laura Molina, MBA, BSc, is best known for increasing the efficiency, effectiveness, and earnings of mission-driven leaders, managers, and professionals with impact-accountable side hustles, startups, small-to-midsized businesses (SMBs), multinational corporations (MNCs), nonprofit organizations (NPOs), government agencies, and public-private collaboratives.  She delivers transdisciplinary, cross-functional, and digital-tech support that boosts top-line, bottom-line, and competitive performance. A founder, co-founder, and principal in a series of highly successful social-benefit enterprises with press-worthy exits—and a crisis manager for organizations as large as AmerisourceBergen, Baxter International, and the American Red Cross—Molina typically steps in as an advisory board member, interim chief officer, or strategic program director to enable individual, organizational, or community jumpstarts, turnarounds, and transformations. Molina studied and worked with management guru and Presidential Medal of Honor winner, Peter F. Drucker; has supported the Drucker School of Management for 30+ years as a member of the Industry Advisory Board; and currently serves as the Director of Community and Economic Development for the City of Raton in Northern New Mexico. She is passionate about solving the Wicked Problem of rural American blight—and views AI as a mission-critical enabling technology.  

Pat Howlett is an entrepreneur and community builder focused on Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico. He leads the Colexico Alliance, a multi-state cross-county coalition focused on regional economic growth and collaboration, and is pioneering the use of AI tools to help chambers of commerce, small businesses, and nonprofits compete in a rapidly changing landscape.

Benjamin Lincoln is Director of Continuing Education at Santa Fe Community College, where he leads strategic growth, revenue expansion, and innovative community partnerships. Under his leadership, the department has exceeded enrollment and revenue goals, elevated instructor and student engagement, and expanded regional outreach. A Certified Program Planner (CPP, LERN), Benjamin has twice presented nationally on corporate partnerships in Continuing Education programs, sharing best practices with peers across the country. He draws on decades of entrepreneurial success as founder and co-owner of multiple consulting and creative ventures. Benjamin holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Southern Methodist University, blending business acumen with a passion for education, the arts, and leadership to deliver high-impact, learner-centered experiences

Dan is the Sector Partnership Manager with WIN Construction Trades. Dan has a degree in Behavioral Psychology with extensive experience in Leadership and Organization Development facilitation, consulting, coaching, and training.  He has worked with government, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations in the US, Europe, and the Far East, leading strategic planning, productivity improvement programs, and system change efforts.  

As part of the Workforce Integration Network federal grant, he currently facilitates meetings among Construction Trades employers, education providers, support service agencies and community leaders among the 7 counties in North Central NM to promote Skilled Trades careers, work with schools to align training with industry needs, and help employers find qualified applicants. 

Tracy Morales, CDL Administrator at Luna Community College, offers exceptional insight into commercial driving, backed by a Class A CDL obtained in 1997 and over 25 years of CDL training experience. This expertise is rooted in both her time instructing at Luna and her past role as the owner/operator of a private CDL training school in Albuquerque, NM. Tracy resides in Mora County, where she manages a small ranch with her husband.

Brenda Ferri is the Executive Director of the Great American Main Street Award winner, Raton MainStreet and the Raton Arts & Humanities Council. She serves on the Raton Public School Board and is also a board member with the Santa Fe Trail School for the Performing Arts.  Currently she is the President of the New Mexico Elks Association.  The Economic Vitality of Raton and the surrounding area is very important to her.

After 28 years in executive roles across the United States, Puerto Rico, Spain, and Mexico, Rose Reza returned to her home state of New Mexico in 2014. Upon her return, she became the Executive Director of the Taos Entrepreneurial Network, where she dedicated her expertise to supporting local entrepreneurs in areas such as merchandising, 

operations, and access to funding. 

In 2019, Rose was invited to join the UNM-Taos HIVE initiative and was soon appointed Executive Director. Under her leadership, the HIVE evolved from concept to reality, officially opening its doors in June 2021. The initiative established the region’s first incubator and accelerator for tech startups, with a mission to build a tech-inclusive ecosystem in northern New Mexico. 

Since its launch, HIVE has served thousands of community members through digital upskilling, literacy support, and educational programs that empower youth, adults, entrepreneurs, and local organizations alike.

In recognition of her leadership and community impact, Rose was named a 2024 Woman of Influence by New Mexico Business First and honored as a Taos Woman of Impact in 2025. 

Rose and her team remain deeply committed to creating inclusive, forward-thinking learning environments that inspire innovation, personal growth, and lasting positive change throughout northern New Mexico.

Christine Louden, Executive Director of Emergent Campus Trinidad, brings a uniquely powerful combination of rural Colorado roots and global business savvy to her leadership of the region’s emerging innovation hub. A fourth-generation Coloradan originally from Branson, she returned home in 2018 after building a career in international marketing, design, and leadership consulting that took her to Southeast Asia, Australia and London. SCBFD+1 A graduate of the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, Christine now channels that worldly experience into building opportunities for entrepreneurs, students and local businesses across rural southern Colorado. Facebook+1 Since her appointment in July 2024, she has helped launch the Trinidad campus of Emergent Campus—recruiting startups, creating career pathways, and fostering collaboration across education, workforce and small-business sectors. SCBFD+1 With a mission to merge hometown grit and global perspective, Christine is helping ensure that rural Colorado doesn’t just follow tech trends—but defines them.

Brandy Dietz is the vice president of the Greater Raton Economic Development Corporation (GrowRaton). She is formerly the marketing director of a national plaintiffs’ law firm based in Dallas, Texas, where she worked for over 20 years. She is skilled in digital media and has an associate’s degree in communications. Brandy and her husband  moved to Raton in 2020 after purchasing Raton Pass Motor Inn, a vintage roadside motel. With an interest in experiential travel, Brandy enjoys welcoming people to the Motor Inn and providing a motel experience that leaves guests eager to return. As an advocate for professional development, she has served in various roles with GrowRaton since 2021. She served in leadership roles with the Legal Marketing Association from 2013 to 2018. Brandy was a Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor and matched with her Little for over ten years. An avid outdoor enthusiast, Brandy is a member of the Sierra Club and Friends of Sugarite. In her spare time, she loves traveling, running, mountain biking, hiking, and sailing.

Tim has lived in New Mexico since 1984 after earning a BA in Mass Communications from Western Illinois University and attending the Economic Development Institute at Oklahoma University. He is an economic development specialist, public speaker, and board member of the Wild West History Association. Tim works for the NM Economic Development Dept. and has served as a Tribal Liaison. He and his wife reside in an 1880 adobe home by the Mora River and spend time at their Casita on the Sea of Cortez.

Arlen Nelson is the New Mexico Economic Development Department: Creative Industries Division Coordinator. He is an Entrepreneur, Philosopher, and Content Creator. Arlen worked as a Youth Program Monitor for the State to New Mexico’s Department of Workforce Solutions. Originally from Kansas City, MO but moved here from Dallas, TX in 2015 to attend school at the University of New Mexico.  I received my associate’s degree in business administration (2014) from Dallas Community Colleges and earned my bachelor’s degree in Africana Studies and a minor in Philosophy (2019) from UMM. He is a scholar-activist, a major proponent for both implementing work produced from the field of Equity and Inclusion and in changing society for the better for all people (in part through ensuring access for all people). I started my own creative marketing, and entertainment business in August of 2021 called Trickster Entity Ltd. Co., where I do content creation, and creative outreach consulting. 

Fun Fact:  UNM uses images of me graduating in their marketing throughout the State. The main one is in Coronado Mall.

Jenifer Treu, Head brewer and GM of Nuckolls Brewing Co. I have been brewing for 11 years and GM for the past two years. Nuckolls currently has 3 locations. The original brewery and restaurant is in the railyard district of Santa Fe, a tap room in Lamy, NM, and our newly acquired taproom and production facility in Angel Fire, NM. 

Trent Deines earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering along with a minor in Math from New Mexico State University. Following graduation, he joined Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) in Illinois, where he spent six years developing expertise in equipment reliability and maintenance optimization at the largest corn milling facility in the world. During his tenure, he advanced from Reliability Engineer to Predictive Maintenance Program Leader, overseeing initiatives to improve operational efficiency and asset performance. In 2021, Trent made the decision to return home to New Mexico to purchase and operate his family’s business, Silver Dollar Wood Products LLC. Under his leadership, the company continues to grow, combining his engineering background with a commitment to quality manufacturing and sustainable production practices.

My name is Chicky Lee Gomez, I am a fourth-Generation resident of Raton. I am employed with New Mexico Workforce Connection as an Employment Business Specialist. I take lots of pride and Joy in our community. I am eager to help the residents and business of our community with any of their employment needs. I have lots of Professional and personal connections within the community. The services offered through New Mexico Workforce Connection range from assisting with Unemployment claims, Pre-Apprenticeship Opportunities, Creating Resumes, Assisting employers and job seekers with job placement. My ongoing dedication and connection to our community offer a service based experience to help our community to thrive and grow.

Native to Raton, Patricia serves as the Executive Director of the Center for Community Innovation, where she focuses on entrepreneurship, workforce, and tourism development in Northeastern New Mexico. With a passion for design and mission-driven nonprofit work, she has held roles as an economic developer, public relations specialist, freelance journalist, and graphic designer. Additionally, she co-pastors Mesa Church in Raton.

With a university degree in architecture and a passion for drawing, Arna learned how to screen print in 2010 and turned it into her career, printing her own designs and also for clients.  She started showing her art in 2013 and has since shown throughout the US and has been sought out by the Chicago Design Museum, The New York Times, Chronicle Books, Bored Panda, Hi-Fructose and Colossal, and many more interesting clients.

Since 2017 her main income source has been selling her art - prints, originals and useful items -  through her Shopify website.  Her art has made its way to customers around the world - to New Zealand, Hong Kong, Brazil, Hungary, Germany, the UK, and beyond, selling directly to individuals as well as through cute shops.

Living in Europe for 3 years, she learned to scale and run a business from abroad, use paid advertising, and outsourcing. 

About Arna’s art: She finds influence from magic-show posters, matchboxes, firecracker packaging, Victorian lithographs, and book covers, and creates narrative illustrations with a distinct vintage and Americana feel.  Text is often included to create a humorous and relatable human experience, while still allowing the viewer to participate. 

Find out more at arnamiller.com.

David "Pino" Garcia is the owner and founder of Pino Browns Custom Print and Embroidery, where art meets hustle. Creativity runs deep in my roots — I grew up surrounded by artists and makers, watching my mom bring bold ideas to life through her projects. That same spark pushed me to build my own lane. I spent countless hours mastering top-tier design software, investing in the best machines, and grinding to perfect every detail. At Pino Browns, it’s all about quality, originality, and expression — creating gear that speaks loud for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and everyday dreamers. From shirts and hats to hoodies, socks, towels, and flags — if you can dream it, I’ll help you wear it. This isn’t just custom printing — it’s art in motion, built for the bold.

Since 2020, I have owned and operated Barrio Princess Bakery - a mobile bakery I launched while in graduate school and have since expanded across multiple cities and state lines. I’m deeply passionate about pursuing opportunities that foster both personal growth and community impact. Throughout my career, I’ve worked across a diverse range of fields—including university settings, healthcare, account management, and high school education—many of which I’ve balanced or layered simultaneously. These overlapping experiences have shaped my adaptability, creativity, and leadership skills. Today, I continue to build on that foundation by facilitating restorative justice circles, helping students develop empathy, communication, and accountability. My work—whether in business, education, or community spaces—is rooted in a commitment to growth, connection, and meaningful change.