CEHMM TEAM

ADMINISTRATION
Jennifer Ramirez
Controller
jennifer.ramirez@cehmm.org
Administrative:
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Elva Gonzalez | Financial/Administrative Assistant
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Jessica Renteria | Financial/Administrative Assistant
Environmental Services:
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Sandra Tanner | Environmental Services Project Manager
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Larry Paul | Biologist
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Jessie Hubbling | Field Technician
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Treyton Neece | Field Technician
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Meghan Veliz | Field Technician
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Anthony Cattet | Field Technician
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Clyde Zoubian | Field Technician
Conservation Programs:
Dune Sagebrush Lizard/Lesser Prairie-Chicken – District 1
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Ryan Schmidt | Conservation Project Manager
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Matthew Creswell | Field Technician
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Maxie Kiehne | Wildlife Biologist
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Erica Torres | Range Conservation Scientist
Dune Sagebrush Lizard/Lesser Prairie-Chicken – District 2
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Kyle Dillard | Conservation Project Manager
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Josh Ricklefs | Range Conservation Scientist
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Austin Wilson | Wildlife Biologist
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Zane Corman | Wildlife Biologist
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Jaimi Peterson | Administrative Assistant
Texas Hornshell
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Matt Ramey | Project Manager
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Austyn Chester | Field Technician
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Michelle Cattet | Wildlife Biologist
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHAIRMAN
JOHN HEATON
A former state representative for the people of southeastern Eddy County, New Mexico. He chaired the Radioactive and Hazardous Materials Committee of the New Mexico State Legislature. Receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy from the University of New Mexico and subsequently became a Fellow in the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists. He practiced primarily in southern New Mexico, where he owned and operated several pharmacies and many other allied businesses.
VICE PRESIDENT
WILLIAM M. HADLEY, PH.D.
Dean Emeritus and Professor Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Pharmacology/Toxicology of the College of Pharmacy at the University of New Mexico (UNM). He is also an adjunct scientist at the Inhalation Toxicology Research Institute in Albuquerque, NM. Dr. Hadley is the author or co-author of more than 50 scientific papers. He earned B.S. (Pharmacy), M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in pharmacology/toxicology from Purdue University.
SECRETARY
MICHAEL H. REYNOLDS
The former chief of the Carlsbad Fire Department, a licensed paramedic, and a Certified Hazardous Materials Technician specializing in chemistry. He teaches training courses in the chemistry of hazardous materials, hazardous materials transportation regulations, and incident command. He holds two Associates’ degrees, a Bachelor's degree, and is pursuing an M.A. in fire and emergency management administration.
TREASURER
ROBERT H. FORREST
A former Mayor of Carlsbad, New Mexico. He is the founder and President of the Carlsbad Area Retarded Citizen’s Farm (CARC) and Washington Ranch, Inc., an organization with two large facilities that assist children and adults facing developmental disabilities and delays. He is the co-owner of Forrest Tire Company, the Stevens Inn owner, and chairman of the Carlsbad National Bank board.
BOARD MEMBER
LINDA RUNDELL
During her 32-year career with the BLM, she has accepted various positions and assignments in several locations to obtain a diversity of experiences. With a degree in Wildlife Science from New Mexico State University, Linda entered the Agency during the tumultuous years following the Federal Land Policy Management Act's passage when the first iterations of multiple-use land planning were being prepared. She worked in field positions as a Range Conservationist in Las Vegas, Nevada, and a Wildlife Biologist in Roswell, New Mexico. This was when she began a lifelong enchantment with a rapidly declining species, the lesser prairie-chicken—along the way gaining extensive experience in the management of both renewable and non-renewable resources, including controversial programs such as oil and gas, helium, and coal leasing and oversight. During an assignment to the Agency’s headquarters in Washington, DC, she accepted a one-year detail to Sen. Pete Domenici staff, deceased, then Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. She became one of the first female line managers in the Agency. Following a stint in Anchorage, Alaska, she became the New Mexico State Director, a position she held for almost nine years. Retired in 2011, Linda is actively engaged in various volunteer activities with her Church, including missionary work in Honduras and serving on the Executive Board of Santa Fe’s Interfaith Community Shelter for the homeless.
BOARD MEMBER
VIMAL D. CHAITANYA, PH.D.
A Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Chemical Engineering at New Mexico State University. Dr. Chaitanya holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, a Masters in Bioengineering from Clemson University, and a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from MSU. Dr. Chaitanya’s active research areas include materials characterization, material degradation, and failure analysis. His significant technical contribution ranges from life prediction of thermal barrier coatings for gas turbines to chemical mechanical polishing for multi-layer electronic device fabrication.
BOARD MEMBER
VAN D. ROMERO
The Vice President for Research and Economic Development at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (New Mexico Tech). He holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in physics from New Mexico Tech and a Ph.D. in physics from the State University of New York. Dr. Romero’s current research includes developing a state-of-art astrophysics observatory to investigate near earth objects and deep space phenomena; the detection of explosives using Nano-Technology films; renewable energy reliability in power grids; and decontamination of produced water.
BOARD MEMBER
SUSAN CROCKETT
Is an Eddy County Native. She was elected Eddy County Commissioner District 5 in 2012 and served until she termed out in 2020. She currently sits on the New Mexico Association of Counties Board for Public Land and Natural Resources and the Economic Development Board. She is a member of Energy Communities Alliance, Secretary of Eddy Lea Energy Alliance, Past President of the Carlsbad Department of Development, and currently sits on their Executive Board. Vice-chair of CarlsbadMain Street and Past President of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. She is VP and GM of Springtime Cleaning, where she oversees seventy employees, manages over fifty accounts, and handles budgeting, payroll, strategic planning, and marketing. She is married to Jason Crockett and has two grown sons and one grandson.
BOARD MEMBER
EMILY K. WIRTH
Emily K. Wirth was born and raised in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Feel free to ask her all
about Ground Hog Day. After earning her Master of Science degree in Biology from the
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, she began working for the University of Florida, where she
wrestled alligators in the Everglades. Emily joined the CEHMM team in 2011 as a Wildlife
Biologist. She then took the reins to create a new division within CEHMM and develop the
Environmental Services Program. While working as the Project Manager of the new program,
she was offered the Operations Manager position. Having a thorough understanding of every
aspect of CEHMM, it was obvious she was by far the best candidate to fill the role as Executive
Director when the previous director retired. Emily has over ten years of experience in wildlife
research and conservation and more than seven years of NEPA experience. Emily and her
husband, Kevin, have two beautiful daughters.