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Monday, October 26, 2009
Banquet fetes 10 distinguished New Mexicans
Journal Staff Report
What separated the 10 winners of this year's New Mexico Distinguished Public Service Awards from the pack was an extraordinary commitment to service to community.
Here's a sampling from the 10 who will be feted during a gala banquet Nov. 12 at the Marriott Pyramid North, 5151 San Francisco Rd. NE in Albuquerque.
• Dr. Paul Bosland of Las Cruces is a world expert on chile genetics, breeding and evaluation, leading that research at NMSU. He has headed a program that provides first-generation children of migrant farmworkers the opportunity to experience agricultural research. He also assists college students from first- or second-generation migrant farm labor families.
• Nella "Bunny" Guenther of Los Lunas established an area substance abuse program and has been a prolific community volunteer for more than two decades. She has created an English-as-a-second-language class, tutors orphans and heads up several literacy initiatives.
• Imogene Lindsay of Albuquerque, a longtime Department of Labor employee, also has been a leader for the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, the New Mexico Zoological Society and an advocate of civil liberties in the state.
• Fred Lujan is a former governor of Isleta Pueblo who has served in various roles, federal and state, serving New Mexico pueblos in the areas of housing, planning, law enforcement, forestry and more. He has served as a consultant on pueblo affairs, advised the N.M. State Fair and worked for New Mexico First. He is a lifelong traditional leader at Isleta.
• The Rev. Msgr. Jerome Martinez y Alire of Santa Fe has spent more than 30 years as a priest in New Mexico. He restored an adobe mission in El Rito and created the Archbishop's Commission for the Preservation of Historic New Mexico Churches. He also founded a task force on AIDS-related ministries, and has lectured and written extensively on state history and art.
• Brett Newberry of Gallup, who runs his own CPA firm, is credited with leading a variety of organizations and initiatives to improve the quality of life in western New Mexico, including chairing the Rehoboth McKinley County Hospital, helping to create a business improvement district and helping raise more than $4 million for the hospital and its associated programs.
• Anthony Ortiz of Socorro is a former banker who for years has helped run, organize and increase participation in the statewide New Mexico Science and Engineering Fair and the New Mexico Science Olympiad. He has served on many education boards, has been an AYSO soccer coach and coordinated the Socorro American Cancer Society Rely for Life.
• Tony Trujillo of Silver City is the director of government relations for Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., formerly Phelps Dodge. He has worked on various educational and economic development initiatives, border issues, mine safety, various community groups and was named a "citizen of the year" by the Silver City-Grant County Chamber of Commerce.
• Facundo Bernabe Valdez of Las Vegas, N.M., has been a high school teacher, social worker and worked for the UNM Center for Community Action. He has been credited with instrumental work on mental health conferences dealing with the state's Native American population and other initiatives.
• Carolyn E. Zerkle of Los Alamos National Labs, most recently directed an upgrade of cybersecurity there, and has volunteered her time in the community for health care, scholarship programs and improving children's welfare. She is a co-director of an annual bike race there.
The NMDPSA board also is honoring The J.F. Maddox Foundation with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The Hobbs-based nonprofit has donated tens of millions of dollars in grants for various educational initiatives at all levels and economic development.
Former Govs. Garrey Carruthers and Toney Anaya will again emcee the banquet, which will feature a keynote address by astronaut and former U.S. Sen. Harrison Jack Schmitt. Call Mediaworks at 505-344-6177 for reservations.
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