DAILY LOBO new mexico
Dead audience see page 4
thursday
September 15, 2011
The Independent Voice of UNM since 1895
Search firm partner aids at-risk students
UNCONVENTIONAL CANVASES
by Charlie Shipley
charlieshipley84@gmail.com The front man of UNM’s presidential search said he’s seen firsthand the difference education can make. Alberto Pimentel, a managing partner of Storbeck, Pimentel and Associates, grew up in east Los Angeles, an area notorious for its poverty and high crime rates. English wasn’t Pimentel’s first language, and he and his siblings were the first in their family to go to college. “Many of the guys you grow up with end up in jail, in gangs or dead,” he said. “As a young man, you look and you say ‘this isn’t right.’ … I helped at-risk kids that were brothers and sisters and nephews and nieces of the guys I hung out with.” Pimentel said it was the need to give back that kept him in the field,
and the ability to help students with similar backgrounds to his is something he values. After receiving degrees from California State University, Point Loma Nazerene University and Harvard University, Pimentel said he returned to his roots to help atrisk K-12 students. “I represent a lot of public universities that serve a diverse population and provide first-generation college students the opportunity to advance,” he said. “Those are important to me.” UNM spokesperson Karen Wentworth said that Storbeck, Pimentel & Associates was selected to head the presidential search by a Request for Proposal (RFP) process. The committee aims to select a new president for the University by June 2012.
see Pimentel PAGE 3
Comm. director Firm to test tech in mock town honored for service Dylan Smith / Daily Lobo
Marcus Romero’s work gives nude art a whole meaning. For the full story, and photos, see page 6.
by Luke Holmen holmen@unm.edu
Pegasus Global Holdings, an international technology development firm, announced plans to build an uninhabited city in New Mexico designed to test self-driving cars, smart energy grids and other new technologies. “Our center is unique,” Pegasus CEO Robert Brumley said. “Up until this time, these proving grounds have been government-owned and contract-operated. This is contractor-owned, contractor-operated where the government is buying services and access to the facility.” Brumley met with the heads of UNM’s IT department, business school and engineering school in July. “UNM will have a very big role to play in the next few months,” he said. Douglas M. Brown, dean of Anderson School of Management, said he met with Brumley and local attorney John Salazar from the Rodey Law Firm at a meeting where Pegasus presented its project. Brown said Brumley didn’t address a specific role for UNM, but he said the project presented research and job creation possibilities. “My principle motivation is to try to find internships and good permanent jobs for our students,” Brown said. “Some (projects) might lend themselves to business professors, but I suspect more would be in engineering, hard sciences of medical research. I hope it materializes and provides the economic boost and educational and employment opportunities we need.” Last Monday, Pegasus released a statement announcing the start of a five-month study to evaluate the costs and benefits of the future
Inside the
Daily Lobo volume 116
issue 19
research facility and determine where in New Mexico the facility will be built. Pegasus has deemed this its “Sandbox project,” and the facility, which will be known as the Center for Innovation, Testing and Evaluation, represents a new era in the way research is developed, Brumley said. Pegasus plans to build the city near either Las Cruces or Albuquerque on available land close to academic institutions such as UNM and research labs such as Sandia.
“I am confident this innovative project would provide a great boost to New Mexico’s economy.” ~Susana Martinez NM Governor “This is the way things will work in the future,” he said. “We will take the financial risk: It’s a mindset shift from the government as an owner to governor as a consumer. The taxpayer doesn’t have to put up the money to fund it, just to use it.” Many of the nation’s top research facilities, including the Los Alamos and Sandia laboratories, are government-owned. “Sandbox” would be the first contractor-owned facility of its kind, open to both private and government firms alike. Brumley said Pegasus developed the concept for the project after experiencing difficulty with government-run facilities, which are booked months in advance and aren’t always available to private companies.
“We want everyone to have access to technological proving grounds,” he said. The Associated Press reported the project is projected to cost $200 million. In a press release, Pegasus said the project hopes to create 350 direct jobs and 3,500 indirect jobs in the development, construction and ongoing operation of the facility. Brumley said the company’s goal following the feasibility study is to target investors and raise the necessary funds for construction. The company hopes to gather the necessary funding to break ground in June 2012 and become operational by 2014. Brumley said the state of New Mexico is not a financial partner, and that the money for the project will come from private funds. Following collaboration throughout the summer between Pegasus and the NM State Government, Brumley said he and his colleagues met with Gov. Susana Martinez and Secretary of Economic Development Jon Barela during the first week of September. The group discussed crucial government support for the project. The state has committed to providing non-financial involvement — resources the state normally provides to businesses — and an introduction to the different agencies and regulatory rules to aid in planning. “I am confident this innovative project would provide a great boost to New Mexico’s economy,” Martinez said. State officials and the company signed a memorandum of understanding pertaining to feasibility study and the state’s involvement in the project.
see Pegasus PAGE 3
A solid foundation
Number games
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by Charlie Shipley
charlieshipley84@gmail.com Susan McKinsey, UNM’s director of communications, has spent decades working for and with the media. Her impending retirement has now made her the subject of the news, which she said feels odd. “I don’t like the idea of me being the news,” she said. McKinsey, who is set to retire at the end of the month, was honored this week with the Board of Regents’ Meritorious Service Award during Tuesday’s board meeting. McKinsey is a former radio and television broadcaster who worked for KOB-TV in the late 70s before moving on to positions in California and Florida. She returned to UNM in 1993 as a communications specialist and has been director of communications since 2001. McKinsey was humble as she accepted the award, giving only a short statement of thanks. “You have no idea how much this means to me,” she said. “You don’t have to be here many years to know that you don’t do it by yourself.” The regents, as well as UNM President David Schmidly shared memories and praised McKinsey’s professionalism. “I’ve never worked with a finer professional, or a person with more talent than Susan,” he said. “You’re always a Lobo and we’re very proud of you.” Regent President Jack Fortner joked that as a parting gift, he had McKinsey’s name legally changed back to Moczygemba, McKinsey’s maiden name, and the name she was known by during her early years in New Mexico. “I changed your name for you, free of charge,” Fortner said. “We’re
very grateful for all you’ve done for us and wish you the best of luck on the next leg of your journey. You’ve always been there for us.” McKinsey praised those she worked with, asking members of the communications staff who were present to stand and be recognized. “These individuals have served the University meritoriously, and it is my honor to accept this award for you,” she said. Senior Communications Representative Karen Wentworth said she has worked with McKinsey for eight years. “She’s great, very conscientious and detail-oriented and professional,” Wentworth said.
Courtesy of UNM Today McKinsey said she will continue to work at the University after retirement, but for only 10 hours per week. “I can’t say what my fondest memory of UNM is, because it may not have happened yet,” she said. She said the best part of serving as communications director is communicating. “Talking to folks, talking to regents, talking to students,” she said. “Everyone is interesting.”
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