What was your first job.
In the summer of 1991, as a junior in high school, I was hired as a seasonal park technician at Coyote Creek and Morphy Lake State Parks. My primary duties were park maintenance, beautification, and visitor support.
What got you interested in this industry?
I was raised in a rural area nestled in the Sange de Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico. We ranched, farmed, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, backcountry hiking and horseback trips. I was surrounded by and spent most of my time in the Santa Fe National Forest, Pecos Wilderness, and state parks/lands.
What are you most looking forward to in the coming year?
I’m looking forward to implementing an improved state parks and boat registration fees schedule. Unfortunately, we have been unable to raise core state park fees over the past 20 years, and our boat registration fees have not increased since 1984. Based on the support of this administration and extensive engagement with the public, we are now poised to implement improved fees next year.
Any exciting projects you are working on that you would like to share?
I’m looking forward to making cabins available at two mountain state parks. Our state parks system is celebrating its 91st year, and these cabins will be the first offerings of this type in the system.
What do you enjoy about the outdoors in your state?
I cherish and enjoy the diversity that our Land of Enchantment provides. You can experience the southern Rocky Mountains, upper Chihuahuan Desert, Kiowa Grasslands, and the Rio Grande. These are storied places where you have the chance to follow in the footsteps of Indigenous people, Spanish conquistadors, Civil War soldiers, outlaws, and lawmen.
Highlight one or two state parks in New Mexico and why we should visit.
Elephant Butte Lake State Park - Elephant Butte Reservoir, created by a dam constructed in 1916 across the Rio Grande, is 40 miles long with more than 200 miles of shoreline. Although constructed to provide for irrigation and flood control, the lake is New Mexico's premier water recreation destination.
Navajo Lake State Park - The San Juan River is world renowned for providing some of the most rewarding trout fishing you will ever experience. The quality waters section is a 4 mile stretch of river below Navajo Lake Dam and is a consistent producer of large Rainbow and Brown Trout averaging 16 to 18 inches, with many reaching much larger proportions.
If I was a visitor, what would be the top three things you’d show me?
Clayton Lake State Park and Dinosaur Trackway – View the exciting geological feature of approximately 500 dinosaur tracks found in sandstone at the dam spillway. Stratigraphic studies suggest that the footprints are about 91–100 million years old. At one spot, the tracks suggest that a large planteater slipped in the mud and used his tail to keep his balance.
Hyde Memorial State Park – The cornerstone of our state parks system, and our first off-grid state park powered by a solar micro-grid. The microgrid’s solar photo voltaic and battery system is designed to provide the park with more than 85 percent of its annual energy needs, only using a propane generator as back-up.
City of Rocks State Park – The “city” is a geologic formation made up of large, sculptured rock columns, or pinnacles, rising as high as 40 feet and separated by paths or lanes resembling city streets. These rocks were formed about 34.9 million years ago, and the sculptured columns seen today, create a stunning, otherworldly landscape.
Most memorable moment(s) in your career?
I grew up with and believe in the “ride for the brand” culture and I applied this culture to my state parks career. Being appointed Director was the most memorable moment of my career because it demonstrated what could be accomplished through hard work, loyalty, and commitment to a shared mission.
What’s the most motivational/inspiring thing anyone has ever said to you?
My Abuelita (grandmother) taught me, “En boca cerrada no entran moscas y cada cabeza es un mundo.” (It’s ok to keep your mouth shut, to listen, and, to remember we all have different perspectives.)
Share a fun fact about yourself.
I grew up in Mora, New Mexico, and our high school mascot was the Rangers. Suitably, I went on to a wonderful career as a Ranger for over 25 years and counting.
What are you most passionate about?
My family, our culture, and our Spanish dialect.
What are you reading?
Brothers of Light – The Penitentes of the Southwest by Alice Corbin Henderson.
Where is your next vacation?
Mount Vernon, Maryland. We have plans to visit our daughter this fall. Lorena is in her fourth year at Johns Hopkins University pursuing a PhD in Mechanical Engineering.
Pets
Indy is our Chihuahua that thinks she’s a Doberman. She was added to our family while I was away working in a state park for an Independence Day holiday weekend.
Hobbies
I am currently in my third term supporting the Pojoaque Valley School District as a school board member. It’s been an honor to serve as board member, secretary, and president over the last nine years.
Nickname
I don’t have a nickname, but I think I’ve given a few to friends and family.
The last thing that made me snort with laughter.
Watching my cousin eat a dehydrated meal on a wilderness backpacking trip. It wasn’t fully hydrated, but he said he loved the crunchy texture.
A poem, line of poetry, or quote that I return to:
“I had seen beauty, but the beauty had burdened me with responsibility.” Rudolfo Anaya
An actor/actress I would watch in anything
Robert Duvall
My favorite blockbuster and favorite movie.
No Country for Old Men; Hoosiers
A song, band, or musician I love.
Def Leppard: any time, place, or occasion.
My favorite way of wasting time.
Watching BBC murder mysteries with my wife.
Something delightful introduced to me by a kid
While volunteering at a regional Special Olympics competition, an 8th grade student introduced me to the art of competitive speed walking. I couldn’t keep up with the student by following the rules
