Greater ABQ Chamber of Commerce 2023-2024 Plan of Action

Dear Investors,

We live in a tremendous place - rich in culture, adventure, and natural beauty and home to extraordinarily talented and generous people.

At the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, our goal is to build upon these assets and develop a welcoming business environment and thriving, diverse economy in New Mexico. Why? We know that when businesses are able to grow, jobs are created, our families prosper, and greater opportunities are available for our children - right here at home.

The Chamber’s work is community-focused, and as proud as we are of our city and state, we do not shy away from addressing the difficult challenges we face, which include persistently high crime, poor academic performance in our public schools, and the need to transform Downtown Albuquerque into a safe and vibrant destination to live, work, and play. As collaborators, conveners, and problem-solvers, we engage in the effort to find solutions to these challenges and overcome them.

For example, in this plan of action report, you can read about our work to improve public safety, including efforts to detain more serious and repeat offenders in jail pre-trial and our construction of two cutting-edge crime-fighting tools to help prosecutors and police bring criminals to swifter and more certain justice in the Albuquerque area. The work is part of a grant the Chamber competed for and was awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice; local law enforcement now use these tools.

With respect to education, the Chamber is at the forefront of supporting the launch and expansion of high-quality public charter schools. The Chamber is also leading work, based on a research study it led last year, to help New Mexico improve its preparation, training, and support of school principals, which will result in legislative proposals designed to improve school leadership and drive academic improvement in our public schools.

And in Albuquerque’s downtown area, the Chamber is working to mitigate the impacts of homelessness and crime, while working with the City to expand incentives for private development and build a game-changing “Rail Trail” that will connect the Rail Yards, downtown proper, Old Town, our museums and biopark facilities, and the beautiful bosque.

Whether it’s at City Hall in Albuquerque, at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe, or on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., the Chamber will continue to be a steadfast and effective advocate for businesses, working alongside those in power to advance policies that promote economic growth. We will fight to reduce gross receipts tax pyramiding, lower small business taxes, expand business recruitment and expansion incentives, and invest capital dollars in shovel-ready infrastructure projects - all the while recognizing that, for businesses to thrive, the communities in which they operate must be safe and highly-skilled, well-educated workers must be available. And, despite the polarizing and divisive discourse of our times, the Chamber will continue its work to develop strong civic leaders through its highly acclaimed Leadership Albuquerque program, and better connect the economic interests of rural and urban areas through the New Mexico Roadrunners program.

“Greater Albuquerque” is a phrase that has long described the geographic area our Chamber represents, but it most aptly reminds us of our purpose each day - to make our city and state a greater place to start and grow a business so that it can be a safe, exciting place to work and raise a family. Thank you for your investment in the Chamber, and together, let’s work to achieve a truly “GREATER ALBUQUERQUE.”

Sincerely,

Bruce Stidworthy, Chairman of the Board Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce

Cole, President and CEO Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce

Terri

THE CITY WE LOVE

A Destination City

■ More than 6 million visitors to Albuquerque each year

■ #4 - Best Places to Travel on a Budget (USA Today)

■ Top 10 Places to Travel with Kids (The Everymom, 2022) and 20 Best Cities for a Romantic Getaway (Brides, 2022)

■ Best Food Cities to Visit (Eater, 2023)

■ #5 Best Place to Live and Work as a Movie Maker (MovieMaker Magazine)

Outdoor Recreation

■ Top 50 city for outdoor access and recreation (REI/Trust for Public Land)

■ #23 - Park Systems in the US - 91% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park (ParkScore Index, 2023)

■ One of the Best Places for Outdoor Enthusiasts to Live and Work (SmartAsset, 2020)

■ Rio Grande River and its bosque runs through Albuquerque

■ New Mexico: third best state for camping (Adventures on the Rock)

■ Excellent hiking, biking, camping, skiing, and much more!

A Great Place to Live and Work

■ Average commute time of just 22 minutes

■ #11 - Best Cities for Work-Life Balance (Kisi, 2022)

■ Top 10 City for Women Working in Tech (SmartAsset, 2021)

■ Best Places to Live in the US (U.S. News and World Report, 2022)

■ New Mexico: second lowest property taxes in America (Tax Foundation)

■ New Mexico: lowest energy costs in the nation (WalletHub)

Culture and Heritage – Like No Other Place in America

■ Founded in 1706 as a Spanish colony

■ New Mexico is home to 19 tribes and pueblos

■ ABQ boasts cultural assets like the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and National Hispanic Cultural Center

■ Majority-minority city, home to 70 ethnic groups

■ Old Town, art, dance, museums – ABQ has it all!

Snapshot of Albuquerque

Population Estimates:

■ 562,000 – Albuquerque

■ 674,000 – Bernalillo County

■ 921,000 – Greater Albuquerque (4-county metro area)

Size:

■ 32nd largest city in America by population

■ Roughly 190 square miles

Racial / Ethnic Diversity:

■ 49.8% Hispanic

■ 37.4% White

■ 19% American Indian, Other, Mixed

■ 3.2% Black

■ 3.1% Asian

THE CHAMBER’S MISSION: A Greater Albuquerque

MISSION

Founded in 1917, we work with government, business, and community partners to promote and develop a welcoming business environment and thriving, diverse economy in New Mexico. Our goal is to make our city and state a great place to start and grow a business and a safe, exciting place to work and raise a family.

FOCUS

Advocacy

■ A powerful voice on behalf of businesses

■ Driving policy changes – especially in the areas of economic development, public safety, education reform, and downtown transformation

■ Collaboration and engagement at all levels of government

Connections

■ Business to Government

■ Business to Business

■ Business to Resources – including critical information, meeting space, trainings, and leadership development

OUR WORK INCLUDES

■ Policy analysis, convening, and negotiation

■ Lobbying decision makers

■ Benchmarking and best practices

■ Sector-by-sector business advocacy

■ Events with leaders and experts

■ Networking opportunities

■ Facilitation and coalition-building

■ DOJ Grant - crime-fighting initiatives

■ Education research - school leadership preparation

■ Strategic public communication on behalf of businesses

■ News and information distribution

■ Promotion and support of our investors

■ Leadership Albuquerque

■ Albuquerque Reads literacy program

■ Issuance of certificates of origin

The Chamber exists to improve our city’s quality of life and promote a dynamic, growing economy in the Albuquerque metro area. We believe that when it’s easy for businesses to start, grow, and thrive, our entire community benefits. Together, we can build an even greater Albuquerque – one that is safe, exciting, and full of opportunities for children, residents, and workers alike. 400

CHAMBER PRIORITIES, PLANS, AND POLICY PROGRESS

BOLD ISSUE GROUPS

BIGs

Chamber policy committees that drive forward a multi-year agenda in three key areas essential to long-term economic growth: transforming Downtown Albuquerque, improving academic achievement in our public schools, and reducing crime to make our city a safer and even more welcoming place.

EDTs

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAMS

Sector-specific groups of Chamber investors, board members, policy experts, trade associations, and other partners who meet and mobilize when an opportunity or threat to an economic sector arises; the coalition’s goals range from impacting public policy decisions (at all levels of government) to encouraging innovation and workforce development initiatives.

CANs

Connection Advocacy Networks

Various efforts in which the Chamber builds partnerships on a local and national level with other business organizations and economic development partners to amplify the voice of the business community and increase the collective impact of our advocacy work.

Top Advocacy Issues for the Chamber in 2022-2023

- Pretrial release/detention changes

- Homelessness

- Downtown projects and public safety

- Economic development incentives

- Education reform

- Investing in stable state permanent funds

- Felony warrant backlog

- Healthcare: provider shortages, liability reform

- Energy: all-of-the-above approach

- School leadership development

- Infrastructure funding

- Regulations: paid family medical leave

- Taxes: pyramiding, GRT rate reduction

- Technology: crime-fighting, broadband

BIGs

BOLD ISSUE GROUPS

The Chamber is in the business of solving BIG problems.

We support employers in our community by working to remove barriers to economic growth and create a welcoming and competitive business climate in our city and state. In order to achieve these goals, we will continue to push for fair and sensible tax, regulatory, and budget policies at all levels of government. However, Chamber leaders have also identified three systemic challenge areas that pose a fundamental threat to our long-term prospects for prosperity: high crime rates, inadequate academic performance in our public schools, and a need for renewal and revitalization in Downtown Albuquerque.

The Chamber has formed policy committees known as Bold Issue Groups (BIGs) to address these key challenges, and the Board has approved a multi-year strategic plan that identifies our priorities and structures our work within these policy arenas. Our primary goal for each issue area, as well as our core beliefs and policy objectives, are outlined on the following pages.

Enhancing public safety, improving public education, and transforming Downtown Albuquerque will take time and require great intention and focus. We are up to the task and in it for the long haul. After all, the Chamber knows that a safe community, with a thriving downtown and a talented well-educated work force, is a place where jobs are created and economic growth is robust and long-lasting.

Bold Issue Groups (BIGs) Leadership

PUBLIC SAFETY EDUCATION REFORM DOWNTOWN TRANSFORMATION

Chair: Doug Majewski Hartman + Majewski Design Group

Chair: Del Archuleta Molzen Corbin & Associates

Vice Chair: Karl Holme Greater Albuquerque Hotel & Lodging Association

Vice Chair: Paul Madrid REDW

Chair: Scott Hindman Excellent Schools New Mexico

Vice Chair: Janice Torrez Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NM

PUBLIC SAFETY

EDUCATION REFORM

DOWNTOWN TRANSFORMATION

THREE KEY POLICY COMMITTEES (BIGs):

Public Safety

Chair: Scott Hindman

Excellent Schools New Mexico

Vice Chair: Janice Torrez, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NM

Our Primary Goal Advocate for and help implement local and state-level policies and practices that will result in a reduction in crime in Bernalillo County and a tough, strategic, fair, and sophisticated criminal justice system

Education Reform

Chair: Del Archuleta, Molzen Corbin & Associates

Vice Chair: Paul Madrid, REDW

Our Primary Goal Advocate for education policies and practices that will lead to a direct improvement in the academic achievement of students in public schools and give every child the opportunity to receive a high-quality education that adequately prepares them for success in college, the workforce, and life

Downtown Transformation

Chair: Doug Majewski, Hartman + Majewski Design Group

Vice Chair: Karl Holme, Greater Albuquerque Hotel & Lodging Association

Our Primary Goal

Work with business, government, and community partners to revitalize and transform Downtown Albuquerque into the vibrant heart of our city - an area with broad appeal that is exciting, engaging, welcoming, and safe for businesses, residents, and visitors alike

On

the following pages, read about the Chamber’s core beliefs in each of our BIG areas and the major policy initiatives we are pursuing to make progress in our community.

PUBLIC SAFETY

A Crime Reduction Mission

OUR CORE BELIEFS:

High crime impedes economic growth, raising business costs and making it harder to attract employers and workers.

Those who commit crimes must face swift and certain apprehension and punishment; this is a key deterrent, and in New Mexico, it’s not happening.

The data-driven differentiation of offenders and deployment of technology in crime-fighting are keys to a more efficient, effective, and fair justice system.

Recent major changes to New Mexico’s justice system have made it harder to police and prosecute crime; in the end, the criminal element benefits. This includes holding fewer offenders in jail pre-trial, nixing the grand jury as a method to secure most indictments, onerous case processing rules and timelines, and continued DOJ oversight of APD.

Crime in Albuquerque is substantially driven by drug use, trafficking, addiction, and behavioral health disorders.

SPOTLIGHT: FIGHTING ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT

For years, businesses have been hit hard by organized retail crime, impacting:

• Employees who are often threatened with weapons during coordinated shoplifting incidents

• Customers who are disturbed by the chaos and feel helpless to do anything about it

• Business owners who pay a premium for private security, stolen merchandise, and more

During the 2023 legislative session, the Chamber successfully fought to pass a law that gives police and prosecutors new tools to combat retail theft. More shoplifting will result in felony charges - targeting repeat and group offenders with more jail time.

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez speaks at the Chamber’s annual Public Safety BIG Signature Event about his priorities for the 2023 legislative session, which included the fight against organized retail crime.

CHAMBER ROLLS OUT NEW CRIME-FIGHTING TOOL

In 2020, the Chamber was awarded a competitive DOJ grant to create a first-of-its-kind crime-fighting tool to streamline and improve how criminal cases are assembled and launched. In April 2023, the Chamber and its partners - then-D.A. Raúl Torrez, his successor D.A. Sam Bregman, APD and BCSO leaders, and data scientists at New Mexico Tech - officially rolled out “Case Catcher,” announcing the start of its official use by local law enforcement and prosecutors.

Case Catcher is designed to build stronger criminal cases against offenders in New Mexico.

• Provides for the electronic sharing of evidence – and the e-referral of casesbetween police and the D.A.’s Office.

• Identifies for police the types of evidence most likely to be associated with a case (and needed to win a conviction), and guides them in providing helpful information on those items.

• Allows the D.A.’s Office to assess the completeness and quality of a referred case and understand – on a single screen – the evidence that is present, pending, and non-existent.

• Creates a police/prosecutor team for each criminal case and facilitates easy communication between staff, officers, and prosecutors within the tool itself.

• Tracks the sharing of discovery material with defense attorneys to reduce in-court disputes over evidence.

Business has a role to play and a seat at the table when it comes to improving public safety,” said Chamber President & CEO Terri Cole. “We chose to lead this project because we believe a more efficient justice system is a more effective justice system.

CHAMBER PRIORITIES FOR 2023-2024

Crack Down on Serious Repeat Offenders

• Support federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutors in identifying offenders with warrants who are driving violent crime and drug trafficking - and get them held in jail and off the streets.

Attack Fentanyl Trafficking

• Support legislation increasing penalties for the trafficking of fentanyl, as well as efforts to stop the flow of fentanyl across New Mexico’s southern border.

Pre-Trial Release of Serious Offenders

• Analyze and publish data describing the impact of pre-trial release and the “revolving door” justice system on public safety.

• Push for statutory changes, including the creation of a rebuttable presumption of detention for repeat offenders and those arrested for serious/violent crimes.

Exit DOJ Oversight of APD, Add to Officer Ranks

• Push for a swift resolution to the DOJ’s settlement agreement with APD, with a clear exit timeline.

• Support efforts to recruit more police officers to ABQ, oppose policies that would hinder recruitment.

Crime-Fighting Technology

• Help secure capital funding for more police technology and equipment, support local efforts to tie private security cameras to the Real Time Crime Center – especially in Downtown.

Child Wellbeing and Safety

• Support efforts to improve the investigation and handling of child abuse incidents and the prioritization - in policy and practice - of the safety of a child above all else when placement determinations are made.

Top, D.A. Sam Bregman and other partners speak at the official rollout of the Case Catcher tool in April 2023. Bottom, the Chamber’s Scott Darnell and Maggie Newman give a demonstration of the tool.

EDUCATION REFORM

Working to Ensure Every Child Can Attend a High-Quality Public School

OUR CORE BELIEFS:

Every child is capable of learning and growing academically, regardless of their background.

The success of New Mexico’s schools should be measured primarily by whether students are learning.

Talented, effective school leaders are essential to turning around New Mexico’s alarmingly low academic performance, where just 3 in 10 students read on grade level and 1 in 4 do not graduate from high school.

Public schools delivering great results for kids should (a) have their successful practices integrated into struggling schools, (b) develop and send out talented administrators and teachers to other schools, and (c) in the case of charter schools, expand to serve more children.

Intervening early with students helps them develop critical literacy skills and can prevent them from becoming discouraged and dropping out.

Our schools are the workforce pipeline for New Mexico’s employers; they should help train students for great careers in key economic sectors and workforce shortage areas.

Our schools are the workforce pipeline for New Mexico’s employers; current academic achievement data significantly hurts business recruitment and growth.

BIG STEP: APS BOARD BECOMES “STUDENT OUTCOMES-FOCUSED”

In January 2023, the Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education unanimously voted to set academic goals for the district, laying out a five-year roadmap for the state’s largest K-12 system. The goals call for proficiency increases of at least 10-percentage points in early literacy and math, especially among low-income students and students of color, as well as large gains in the number of students demonstrating career and college readiness (industry certifications, AP credits, International Baccalaureate participation, etc.).

APS Superintendent Scott Elder will step down from his leadership role at the end of the 2023-24 school year. The new outcomes-focused Board, which includes four members who the Chamber supported in their election or reelection bids, will have a unique opportunity to select a strong, student-centered district leader.

MORE CHANGE IS ON THE WAY

SCHOOL LEADERSHIP:

KEY TO DRIVING CHANGE IN PUBLIC EDUCATION

Better-Prepared, Better-Supported Principals

Last Fall, the Chamber released groundbreaking new research on the importance of principal preparation to the academic performance of New Mexico schools. Funded by the Thornburg Foundation, the Chamber’s study also recommends several key policy or program improvements, including:

• Raising principal compensation (passed in 2023 session)

• Requiring those studying to be principals to receive on-the-job training through intensive residencies in school settings (in progress, pilot program launching this Fall)

• Enrolling first-year principals in an active mentoring program

• Creating an Office of School and District Leadership and launching a data tool to better monitor and manage the school leader workforce public school system.

High-Quality Public Charter Schools

The Chamber continues to support the dynamic leaders who launch and run charter schools, encouraging and helping them in their efforts to serve more students. New Mexico’s most recent student achievement data shows students of charter schools are significantly more likely to perform on grade-level than their peers in traditional district schools. And, public opinion surveys continue to find strong parent demand for more charter seats: nearly nine in ten parents in Bernalillo County would like to see more public charter schools opened.

CHAMBER PRIORITIES FOR 2023-2024

Public Charter School Growth

• Continue meetings between local business leaders and the directors of high-quality charter schools, urging and helping them to open another campus, add grade levels, or expand enrollment.

• Maintain bipartisan opposition in the Legislature to charter school enrollment caps and moratoria on new charter schools.

Albuquerque Reads

• Sustain the Chamber’s ABQ Reads literacy tutoring program for struggling K-1 readers.

Financial Literacy

• Advocate for the passage of legislation to require high school students to complete a full course dedicated to financial literacy and personal finance.

School Leadership Research and Changes

• Continue to advocate at the Legislature for a package of program changes, new policies, and funding requests to improve the preparation and quality of principals in our state.

School and Student Performance

• Support the rigorous measurement of academic progress.

• Actively engage in, and advocate for transparency around, the search for a new, student-focused APS superintendent.

Data shows charters outperformed district schools in reading, math, and science proficiency in the 2018-2019 school year; the most recent 2021-2022 data shows the gap is widening.

Albuquerque School of Excellence is a Chamber investor and a top-performing charter school serving students in grades 1-12. In the fall of 2022, ASE was one of just three schools in New Mexico to be recognized by the US Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon School.

Proficiency at New Mexico’s District and Charter Schools in SY 2018-2019 and 2021-2022

DOWNTOWN TRANSFORMATION

Creating a Vibrant Live / Work / Play Environment in the Core of Our City

OUR CORE BELIEFS:

Successful and thriving cities tend to have a vibrant downtown, bustling with people.

Successful downtowns have a diverse economic base, with adequate housing, shopping and dining options, entertainment venues, public transit, and open spaces that support congregation and recreation. Addressing the persistent problems of crime and homelessness is necessary to revitalizing Downtown Albuquerque.

Investing in game-changing development projects will increase the appeal of Downtown, broaden its range of uses, and attract more visitors and employers.

Transforming the downtown area will bring economic and quality-of-life benefits for the entire city.

NEW GAME-CHANGING DEVELOPMENT FUNDING

In partnership with the City of Albuquerque and communities across the state, the Chamber successfully advocated for a new funding mechanism to support Downtown redevelopment activities. Passed during the 2023 legislative session with near-unanimous support, SB 251 will allow metropolitan redevelopment areas, like Downtown, to collect additional gross receipts tax revenue to support private and public redevelopment work, unlocking more than 20 times the typical amount of revenue available.

Metropolitan Redevelopment Areas provide infrastructure improvements, business assistance, and overall revitalization, including the redevelopment of blighted areas, affordable housing, and more unique projects like Albuquerque’s Rail Trail.

THE ALBUQUERQUE RAIL TRAIL

The Chamber is a strong supporter and partner in the City’s plans to develop a 7-mile urban trail that would allow residents and visitors to walk or bike between the historic Rail Yards, Downtown proper, Old Town and the Sawmill District, our museums and biopark facilities, and the beautiful Rio Grande bosque.

Albuquerque-based and internationally-renowned architect Antoine Predock has a developed a vision for the project. At “hotspots” along the route, which Predock calls “auras,” Rail Trail users will be invited to pause to take in a collage that captures the history of the place, along with a QR code visitors can scan with their smartphone to learn more. The most dramatic of these will be an electric tumbleweed, a 25-foot neon sphere that cyclists and pedestrians will walk through and cars will drive underneath at a railroad underpass.

Another milestone along the trail will be the Enchantment Plaza, where the trail will be raised above the ground to give users a spectacular view of the city and the Sandia Mountains, and create space for pop-up shops and restaurants underneath, perhaps in shipping containers.

Once complete the Rail Trail will:

• Showcase the incredible economic, cultural, historical, and ecological diversity of our city

• Bring together neighborhoods in and around greater Downtown

• Be an anchor attraction in Downtown, catalyzing the development of commercial enterprises and unique public spaces that will pull more people into the area

Over the past few years, the Chamber has been an active advocate for the project and its funding, helping the City raise $39 million at all levels of government - local, state, and federal - for the loop. City leaders say the project is about half-funded; the Chamber will continue to be supportive in the City’s work to accrue more funding to finish the project.

CHAMBER PRIORITIES FOR 2023-2024

The Albuquerque Rail Trail

• Secure local, state, and federal funding – as well as public support – for the ongoing development of a nearly 7-mile trail connecting key parts of the greater downtown area (see above).

High-Quality Hub for Homeless Sheltering & Services

• Support the swift scaling up of the Gateway Center as originally intended – a 24/7 shelter and coordinated service center for the homeless.

Business Improvement District (BID)

• Launch a Downtown business improvement district, allowing businesses to pool and spend resources on downtown-specific marketing, beautification, special events or markets, homeless interventions, and additional public safety improvements.

Crime-Fighting Resources and Coordination

• Support City- and county-led efforts to bring a greater police presence to Downtown, including more officers; security cameras tied into city-wide, real-time monitoring; and technology.

Top, Mayor Tim Keller unveils the vision for the Rail Trail, which includes interactive milestones like the “electric tumbleweed,” bottom left, and the “Enchantment Plaza,” bottom right.

EDTs

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAMS

Chair: Tom Jenkins, Real Estate Advisors

THE CHAMBER IS IN THE BUSINESS OF ECONOMIC GROWTH.

Sector by sector, the Chamber is working to improve our state’s economy by advocating for regulatory and legislative changes that will help diversify and grow our private sector.

As issues or opportunities arise that would impact a particular industry – or group of industries – in New Mexico, the Chamber will convene Economic Development Team meetings to discuss the business community’s response to the situation and advocacy strategy. These meetings will include investor companies from the affected sector(s), Chamber staff and Board members, allied organizations and trade associations, leading experts, and other local leaders. The goal is to build a strong coalition with a clear message, goal, and game plan for driving pro-business changes at the local, state, or federal level.

SECTOR ADVOCACY TEAMS

CHAIR: RYAN SHELL, NEW MEXICO GAS COMPANY

Energy and Utilities

Telecommunications Information Technology

Tech/Innovation and Aviation/Space

CHAIR: BRETT THOMPSON, KPMG

Banking and Financial Services

Audit and Accounting

Legal and Other Professional Services

CHAIR: FRANK GALLEGOS, INTEL

Manufacturing Design and Construction

Real Estate – Commercial and Residential

CHAIR: SCOTT HINDMAN, EXCELLENT SCHOOLS NEW MEXICO

Education Services and Schools

Nonprofit Organizations

Advocacy, Public Affairs/Relations

CHAIR: MIKE CANFIELD, INDIAN PUEBLO CULTURAL CENTER

Retail and Services

Restaurants

Leisure, Recreation, and Hospitality

Vehicle Rentals and Sales

CHAIR: KATE BECKER, UNM HOSPITALS

Healthcare and Senior Services

CANs

CONNECTION ADVOCACY NETWORKS

Chair: Kevin Eades, Molzen Corbin & Associates

We are always stronger – and our voice on behalf of businesses is louder – when we work as a team.

LOCAL PARTNERS

Other Chambers of Commerce

A statewide chamber association meets regularly and, prior to each legislative session, collaborates on setting business priorities.

Economic Development Organizations

The Chamber often works with EDOs to stop harmful legislation that would hurt business recruitment and pass legislation making NM more competitive for jobs.

Trade Associations

Various trade groups join the Chamber’s Sector Advocacy Team meetings, and we collaborate on advocacy efforts with groups representing restaurants, hospitals, contractors, realtors, and others.

Standing Strong for Businesses… Together

In the 2023 legislative session, the Chamber worked with numerous other business organizations to mount an unprecedented defense against a proposed “Paid Family and Medical Leave Act” that would enact a new tax on businesses and workers, disrupt workplaces, create a massive new state bureaucracy, and drive away small and large employers alike. Against long odds, this coalition worked with key lawmakers to ultimately stop the bill in its final committee - after hours of strong testimony from business owners and operators who opposed the measure.

NATIONAL PARTNERS

We partner with three national chamber organizations to promote economic growth across the United States.

Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Western Association of Chamber Executives

Alongside an impressive showing from business owners and operators from across the state, the Chamber helped secure a tabling vote on an onerous paid family and medical leave bill in its final committee assignment.

The Chamber works diligently to build partnerships with a wide range of organizational partners across New Mexico and the United States, including other chambers of commerce, trade associations, and economic development organizations.

The Chamber has joined a broad, vocal coalition of organizations advocating in Congress for more direct flights to be added from western states to our nation’s capital (DCA airport).

CHAMBER PROGRAMS

Leadership Albuquerque

A widely-acclaimed professional education program that develops knowledgeable and engaged civic leaders in our community

Albuquerque Reads

An education program that provides low-income elementary students up to 20 books per year and 90 minutes of one-on-one literacy instruction each week by volunteer tutors

New Mexico Roadrunners

Goodwill ambassadors representing Albuquerque’s business community who travel each year to different parts of New Mexico to build relationships with local elected officials, chambers of commerce, and other partners

LEADERSHIP ALBUQUERQUE

Vice

Developing knowledgeable and engaged civic leaders in our community

Leadership Albuquerque develops and prepares professionals to expand their influence in their organizations and increase their engagement in the community.

What Leadership Albuquerque Offers Participants:

■ ACCESS to top influencers and decision makers in our city and state

■ Interesting and exciting EXPERIENCES

■ KNOWLEDGE about the critical issues impacting economic growth and our quality of life

■ Meaningful CONNECTIONS with other business and civic leaders in Albuquerque

■ Opportunities for SERVICE and professional LEADERSHIP growth

TOPICS

COVERED INCLUDE

■■Public Safety & Behavioral Health

■■Energy and Water

■■K-12 and Early Childhood Education

■■State and Local Government

■■Economic Development & Diversification

■■Tourism and Quality of Life

■■Downtown Transformation

■■Skill Building: Negotiations and Leading Intergenerational Workplaces

Here’s what some of our 2023 graduates had to say about the Leadership program:

“All the program days were engaging and well planned.”

“It was so helpful to shed light on the complexities of the challenges facing the city and state.”

“I’ve lived here most of my life and yet learned SO MUCH about my community. And the connections were so valuable!”

“I learned things and built a network that I simply wouldn’t have been able to otherwise.”

Leadership ABQ Class of 2023 at its leadership development retreat at the Downtown DoubleTree by Hilton

Chair: Tom Antram, French Funerals & Cremations

Chair: David Campbell, Mesa Del Sol

Counterclockwise:The class tours the construction site and future home of the BioPark’s Asia exhibit. Participants get a rare behind-the-scenes look as House Appropriations and Finance Committee Chair Nathan Small debates on the passage of the $8-billion state budget. At the program’s graduation, New Mexico Representative Meredith Dixon (left) was the ceremony’s keynote speaker. Left to right: Sandia Science & Technology Park Development Corporation’s Sherman McCorkle, GACC President and CEO Terri Cole, and Comcast Vice President and Leadership Albuquerque Chair Chris Dunkeson also attended the graduation ceremony.

ALBUQUERQUE READS

This program year, we’re celebrating a milestone 20 years of partnership with Albuquerque Public Schools through our trajectory-changing literacy tutoring program Albuquerque Reads!

Celebrating 20 Years

Albuquerque Reads provides kindergarteners and first graders with 90 minutes of one-on-one literacy instruction each week, delivered by a couple hundred adult volunteers. A collaborative effort between the Chamber and APS, the program serves mostly students from low-income families at three elementary schools. The Chamber also provides each student with a backpack and 20 books of their very own to read at home.

Interested in volunteering to help a child learn to read or donating to support this important work? Visit www.abqreads.com or contact Lauren Rouse at 505-764-3728 or lrouse@greaterabq.com.

NEW MEXICO ROADRUNNERS

Chair: Kevin Eades, Molzen Corbin & Associates

The New Mexico Roadrunners are goodwill ambassadors representing Albuquerque’s business community who travel each year to different parts of New Mexico to meet with local businesses, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, elected and appointed officials, and university and community leaders. Along the way, they share exciting “New Mexico True” experiences and eat at iconic restaurants, learn about important issues and local concerns, and build strong relationships in support of a shared mission: to make New Mexico a great place to start and grow a business and a great place to work and raise a family.

2023 ROADRUNNERS TRIP: SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO

In past years, the Roadrunners have traveled to Northwest NM and the Navajo Nation, South-Central NM and the Southern Border, and Eastern NM, touring everything from Chaco Canyon to Spaceport America to a peanut factory.

Chair: Liz Earls, US Bank

Left to right: GACC Board Chair Bruce Stidworthy and APS Board President Yolanda Montoya-Cordova celebrate Verizon’s outstanding support of the Albuquerque Reads program. During the 2022-2023 program year, the company contributed $13,000 to the program.

Albuquerque

Roswell

Artesia Carlsbad

Hobbs

Mexico, including

invested $496.6 million in

expenditures, employee wages

giving

$178.8M Technology and infrastructure investments in New Mexico in the last three years, including upgrades to our network.

three

$13.4M Total cash and in-kind charitable contributions to New Mexico nonprofits in the last three years.

New Mexico small businesses owned by people of color and women have been awarded business services through the Comcast RISE program, as of May 2022 — including marketing, creative, media, and technology services. More information at ComcastRISE.com.

THE CHAMBER ADVANTAGE

REDW Principal and Wealth Management Practice Leader Paul Madrid poses a question to Public Education Department Secretary Dr. Arsenio Romero at the Chamber’s Education BIG signature event.

AN IMPORTANT MISSION

The Chamber works with government, business, and community partners to promote and develop a welcoming business environment and thriving, diverse economy in New Mexico. Our goal is to make our city and state a great place to start and grow a business and a safe, exciting place to work and raise a family.

A REPUTATION-BUILDER FOR BUSINESSES

Chamber involvement says a lot to consumers about a business. In fact, a 2020 scientific survey by Research & Polling, Inc. found that OVER HALF of all Bernalillo County residents (52%) have a more favorable opinion of a business if it is active in our local chamber of commerce (compared to just 12% who view chamber affiliation unfavorably). These results hold across all regions of Albuquerque and across all demographic lines.

Nationally, we find similar results. The Schapiro Group found that businesses active in their local chamber experience a greater level of consumer trust, awareness, and favorability. Seven out of ten consumers believe that being actively involved in their local chamber demonstrates that a company engages in good business practices.

A PRIVATELY-FUNDED BUSINESS ORGANIZATION

Our investor companies represent over 130,000 employees statewide, and 70% of our Chamber investors have been with our organization for a decade or more. The Chamber is privately-funded - not a part of government - and is a long-standing and well-respected voice for businesses in our community.

Investing in the Chamber Brings Benefits in Two Key Areas

ADVOCACY

The Chamber is a powerful and necessary voice for business at all levels of government — see pages 22-27

CONNECTIONS

The Chamber is uniquely suited to help its investor companies connect with government agencies and officials, other businesses, and critical resources and information — see pages 28-29

ADVOCACY

A POWERFUL VOICE FOR BUSINESS ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT

PILLARS OF THE CHAMBER’S ADVOCACY WORK

Economic Development Teams (EDTs)

Industry-specific groups discuss barriers to business growth, develop recommendations for the Chamber’s advocacy work at the local, state, and federal levels, and build coalitions with aligned partners. Chamber investors are encouraged participate in their industry’s SAT when the need arises.

ISSUES GROUPS (BIGs)

Three policy committees work with government and community leaders to transform Downtown Albuquerque, eform and improve public education, and reduce crime. Progress in these three areas will make our community a more welcoming, thriving, and attractive place to live, work, and do business.

LOBBYING ON BEHALF OF BUSINESS

The Chamber’s team of policy experts, communicators, and lobbyists analyzes policy proposals and monitors government decision-making at all levels, engaging with appointed and elected leaders to help craft and pass legislation that (a) incorporates the perspective of the business community, (b) supports economic growth and (c) makes it easier to be a job creator. At times, the Chamber must work to stop legislation that is detrimental to economic growth. In the 2022 legislative session, five policy analysts, writers, and lobbyists – as well as several board members – were involved in the Chamber’s business advocacy work in Santa Fe.

POLICY MEETINGS AND BEST-PRACTICE VISITS

The Chamber meets throughout the year with government officials and various partners to develop pro-business policy proposals, visits other cities and states to identify best practices (in order to implement them here), and convenes hosts task forces that address critical issues and challenges. At the local and state level, the Chamber is often involved in negotiating the various provisions of ordinances and bills.

PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS

The Chamber is a prominent and active voice for businesses in the traditional news media – through interviews, op-ed pieces, and press conferences – and on social media.

SIGNATURE EVENTS WITH EXPERTS, THINKERS, AND LEADERS

The Chamber holds a number of events each year with top decision makers and experts, bringing the business community to the table on any number of important issues.

Last year, among other events, the Chamber hosted panelists Wendy Rollstin, CFO of BayoTech; Ryan Shell, President of the New Mexico Gas Company; and Daniel E. Klein, Managing Partner of Libertad Power for a discussion of the future of hydrogen energy in New Mexico and beyond. New Mexico Public Education Department Secretary Dr. Arsenio Romero addressed the Chamber at its annual Education Reform event, sharing his new vision for public education. And, recently-elected Attorney General Raúl Torrez spoke to the business community about changes needed to the state’s pre-trial release policies at the Chamber’s annual public safety luncheon.

Past signature event speakers have included New Mexico Senator Ben Ray Luján, as well as Mayor Tim Keller and APD Chief Harold Medina on the City’s Metro Crime Initiative.

BUSINESS BEAT SPEAKER SERIES

The Chamber presents a virtual event series called the Business Beat Speaker Series, which features speakers on four to five newsworthy topics - ranging from state finances to election recaps to the future of UNM - throughout the year. The virtual series will be back this year for more in-depth discussions on topics that affect our local business community.

LETTERS TO GOVERNMENT LEADERS AND AGENCIES

The Chamber frequently expresses the viewpoints of the business community in letters to elected and appointed decision makers. In the summer of 2022, the Chamber criticized the New Mexico Supreme Court for using a secretive and unusual process to issue an order restricting law enforcement access to the GPS data of released criminal defendants. The Chamber also wrote a letter in support of the reauthorization of the charter for Mission Achievement and Success Charter School - which boasts a near-perfect high school graduation rate. Last year, the Chamber urged the City Council to maintain the original intent of the Gateway Center - to provide well over a hundred homeless individuals safe overnight sheltering, on-site services, and a place to be dropped off by first responders for triage and help.

POLICY MEETINGS AND NEGOTIATIONS

The Chamber works alongside coalition partners to develop public policy proposals, negotiate the details of these proposals with local and state officials, and advocate for their passage. The Chamber is currently working closely with higher education leaders and state legislators and staff to develop policies that strengthen school leadership development in New Mexico.

BOARD MEETINGS

The Chamber regularly hosts elected leaders, government officials, and policy experts to address the Board and take questions on the pressing issues facing Albuquerque, the state of New Mexico, and the country. The Board also formally approves an annual legislative agenda, adopts strategic plans for its BIG policy committees, and endorses specific policy positions - on topics ranging from early childhood education and employment regulations to pre-trial detention procedures and taxes. As seen at right, the Chamber Board held a meeting at Wagner Equipment and toured its full-service facility that takes care of customers’ repair needs across the state as well as equipment sales and rentals.

OP-EDS

During the 2023 legislative session, Chamber leaders had three op-ed pieces published in two newspapers: a critique of proposed tax increases in a time of overflowing state fiscal resources, published in the Santa Fe New Mexican; a warning about the proposed paid family and medical leave act, which would have created a crushing burden for businesses under the underfunded program and its mandates, published in the Albuquerque Journal; and a call to remove a provision in the tax package that would decimate New Mexico’s capital gains exemption.

BEST-PRACTICE VISITS

The Chamber often leads delegations of local officials to study programs/initiatives that have worked elsewhere to combat challenges facing our city and state. In recent years, Mayor Tim Keller and other City leaders joined the Chamber for a visit to San Antonio, Texas for a view into the city’s effective system for sheltering and connecting people experiencing homelessness to the resources they need. This visit became the basis of Albuquerque’s Gateway Center.

TESTIMONY

Chamber staff, lobbyists, and board members regularly provide public testimony at City Council, County Commission, and State Legislative hearings to articulate the business community’s perspective on important issues, such as proposed zoning changes, employment regulations, tax policy, and changes to criminal statutes. In December 2022, Chamber leaders delivered testimony in support of expansion requests for four high-performing charter schools and the renewals of another three schools, adding up to more than 1,000 new, high-quality seats at local public charters.

FEDERAL ADVOCACY

Each year, the Chamber holds a meeting, virtual or in-person, with members of New Mexico’s Congressional delegation for timely discussion of important federal issues that affect our state. The Chamber also takes a delegation to Washington, DC annually to meet with a number of federal agency heads, congressional members and staff, and leaders of national organizations to discuss topics related to the Chamber’s work. Learn more about this successful whirlwind visit on page 27.

IN THE NEWS

Chamber staff and Board members regularly appear on local news platforms to promote Chamber initiatives, discuss policy issues, and promote the city’s business community.

Then-board chair Peter Lorenz testifies before the Public Education Commission in support of Mission Achievement and Success Charter School’s expansion request.

Five years after the Chamber’s best-practice visit to San Antonio’s Haven for Hope, Chamber board members tour the newly-open Gateway Center in Albuquerque.

ADVOCACY AT THE ROUNDHOUSE

STRONG PRESENCE IN SANTA FE

LEGISLATIVE AGENDA:

Prior to each legislative session, the Chamber’s Board approves an agenda that identifies the priorities and perspective of the business community – on everything from economic development incentives and tax policy to education and criminal justice. The agenda is crafted with the input of Chamber investors, SATs, and industry partners.

THE “LEGISLATIVE ROUNDUP”:

During the session, the Chamber publishes a nightly legislative recap – heralded as a “must-read” by Roundhouse watchers, legislators, and local businesses – that keeps investors and our partners apprised of what’s going on in the Legislature.

LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY:

Each year, the Chamber publishes a comprehensive “Legislative Summary” magazine that provides business leaders with information about what happened in Santa Fe during the session – including key successes for the business community and concerns.

KEY SUCCESSES:

• Defeated an onerous paid family and medical leave program - SB 11 would have been the latest in a string of new burdens imposed on small businesses, including a recently-enacted paid sick leave mandate and a 60% increase in the minimum wage. On top of a new tax on employers, the bill would have caused significant and costly business disruptions, especially for the 90% of our state’s companies with less than 20 employees that lack the flexibility to absorb long-term vacancies, move employees to fill gaps, or quickly hire new employees. The bill also would have created a large and costly state agency to administer the program, which would likely have been up to $330 million in the red from the start.

• Organized retail crime - In response to a sustained statewide rise in organized shoplifting, the Legislature passed HB 234 giving prosecutors new tools to battle retail theft. It allows the value of merchandise a person steals over time to be aggregated, making it easier to charge them with a felony-level crime and creates new “aggravated shoplifting” and “organized retail” crime penalties that will put perpetrators in prison for years.

• Downtown redevelopment incentives - SB 251 allows metropolitan redevelopment areas (MRAs) across the state such as in Downtown Albuquerque, to capture additional incremental gross receipts tax revenue for redevelopment projects. In Albuquerque, this could mean up to 20 times as much revenue annually for revitalization work in downtown - including infrastructure improvements, private development incentives, affordable housing growth, business assistance, and innovative projects like the Rail Trail.

• Funding for officer recruitment and retention and addressing Bernalillo County’s felony warrant backlog

• Fully-funded job training incentive program and closing fund for economic development projects

KEY CONCERNS FOR THE FUTURE: Anti-Business Policies

In recent years, many concerning measures were proposed - and advanced through key committees - that would have increased costs on small businesses and made it harder for businesses to operate in New Mexico, which the Chamber worked to successfully defeat. These policies would have:

• Increased corporate tax rates

• Increased personal income tax rates

• Eliminated the capital gains tax deduction

• Raised workers’ compensation costs

• Increased the minimum wage

• Made it easier to sue businesses

• Mandated employer-provided family/medical leave

• Restricted oil and gas production

• Created a public bank

• Moved NM toward government-run healthcare

Willingness to Enact True Tax Reform

Continued billion-dollar budget surpluses provide a great opportunity to end GRT pyramiding and lower the GRT rate, addressing one of the key impediments to doing business in NM. It’s unclear whether the Legislature shares this priority.

Top right: the Chamber’s 2023 legislative summary publication, covering the most important action from the 2023 regular and special sessions. Bottom right: the New Mexico Capitol building in Santa Fe.

ADVOCACY IN WASHINGTON

The Chamber holds a number of events each year with top decision makers and experts, In winter 2022, the Chamber took a delegation of business leaders and local government officials to Washington, DC for a series of meetings with federal agency leaders, New Mexico Congressional members, and national organization heads. In just three days, the group attended nine meetings to discuss topics like progress on the development of the Chamber’s Case Catcher tool, the revitalization of Downtown Albuquerque, and the state of the charter school sector in New Mexico.

CASE CATCHER

The Chamber’s delegation met with a high-level team at the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance to brief them on the development of Case Catcher, a first-of-its-kind tool to streamline and strengthen the judicial system’s process for collecting evidence, building cases, and facilitating the discovery process. The BJA was the grantor of the Chamber’s $1.2-million grant for the 2018-2023 development of the tool. BJA staffers were excited to hear about the New Mexico team’s progress, and just a few months later in April 2023, the team would visit Albuquerque to attend a day of meetings with local law enforcement, state leaders, and New Mexico Tech developers.

CAPITOL HILL

The group sat down with Senator Ben Ray Luján (photo at top left) and Congressman Gabe Vasquez (photo at bottom right), who had not yet been sworn in at the time. Luján – who found the time to talk with the Albuquerque leaders in between a busy schedule of votes – talked about his work on behalf of New Mexico and listened as Chamber leaders discussed the impact of the future Rail Trail and the continuation of the federal Charter Schools Program funding for the state’s charter schools; Vasquez talked about his plans for his term, including his special focus on small businesses, informed by his background as a businessman and chamber leader in his own right.

The Chamber’s delegation also met with the staffs of Congresswomen Melanie Stansbury and Teresa Leger Fernandez for productive conversations about critical federal funding and updates on other issues important to the state.

The delegation also attended meetings with the following entities:

National Alliance for Public Charter Schools to discuss national trends in charter school authorization and expansion, and the Chamber’s work to advance charter school growth in New Mexico.

U.S. Department of Transportation for a conversation about the potential impact of the Rail Trail project on Albuquerque.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce for a briefing on current federal issues, how they’ve changed since the pandemic, and where chambers of commerce fit into the mix as trusted local and state advocates.

CONNECTIONS

BUSINESS TO GOVERNMENT

SIGNATURE EVENTS WITH GOVERNMENT LEADERS

Each year, the Chamber hosts several large events featuring local, state, and federal leaders. These include our annual Congressional Series with members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation, a post-legislative session reception with Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, and events with prominent community leaders like Mayor Tim Keller, Attorney General Raúl Torrez, UNM President Garnett Stokes, and others.

ACCESS AND PROBLEM-SOLVING CONNECTIONS STATEWIDE

The Chamber helps its investors navigate government more easily, including connecting businesses to government agencies or leaders when they have concerns or need help.

BUSINESS TO BUSINESS

“SHAKERS AND STIRRERS” NETWORKING EVENTS

The Chamber holds engaging, after-hours events that allow Albuquerque professionals to extend their networks in an exclusive, entertaining environment. We hold these events several times per year at unique, local venues,including events in the coming year at:

> Fogo De Chão - September 2023

> University of New Mexico football game - October 2023

> Electric Playhouse - February 2024

> Albuquerque Isotopes - May 2024

> Albuquerque BioPark - June 2024

CHAMBER EXCLUSIVE REFERRALS PROGRAM

When businesses or members of the general public ask the Chamber for guidance in finding a certain type of product or service in the Albuquerque area, Chamber staff refer them exclusively to our investor companies.

NEW MEXICO ROADRUNNERS

Chamber Board members and investors are invited to join this goodwill ambassador team that travels annually by bus to a different region of New Mexico, spending two days building relationships with businesses, state legislators, local leaders, and chambers of commerce in other parts of the state. Talk about a business-building opportunity!

BUSINESS TO RESOURCES

RIBBON CUTTINGS FOR ANY IMPORTANT OCCASION

The Chamber helps its investors celebrate important milestones with ribbon cutting ceremonies. Promotion of these events is shared at Chamber Board meetings and distributed to Chamber investors and local media.

ADVERTISING AND EXPOSURE FOR CHAMBER INVESTORS

Chamber investors can submit announcements about upcoming events, sales, promotions, or programs to be included in a twice-monthly “Investor Deals and Announcements” distribution.

BUSINESS PROMOTION VIA SOCIAL MEDIA

Our investors’ latest news, announcements, programs, or specials are routinely promoted on the Chamber’s social media platforms.

FREE MEETING SPACE

Bring your meeting to the Chamber’s modern and comfortable downtown offices across from Civic Plaza, where investors have access to a large conference room with video projection capabilities, as well as a smaller conference room and at least two other meeting spaces of various sizes.

CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN

The Chamber issues certification documentation for goods produced in New Mexico that are sold internationally.

LEADERSHIP ALBUQUERQUE

Our city’s premier leadership development program, Leadership Albuquerque is designed to develop engaged and knowledgeable civic leaders in our community. The program offers participants unparalleled access to the state’s top leaders, expands their understanding of important issues facing our city and state, and builds strong relationships with their peers from various industries.

INTRODUCTIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS

The Chamber facilitates introductions and networking to help local businesses find solutions to problems, strengthen partnerships, and start new ventures that will serve the community.

CRITICAL INFORMATION FOR LOCAL

BUSINESS LEADERS

Breaking News Alerts and Calls-to-Action

When major news breaks that affects the business community or a significant action is taken by the Legislature or City Council, the Chamber sends alerts to its investors to ensure they are well-informed. And, prior to key votes or decisions on public policy matters that impact economic growth, the Chamber sends “call-to-action” emails that urge businesses to make contact with particular elected or appointed officials.

“News and Views” Bi-Weekly Newsletter

The Chamber publishes a regular newsletter to inform our investors on the latest development surrounding important policy issues, as well as report on the activity at the Chamber’s signature events and Board meetings.

Chamber Connections

Every other week, the Chamber distributes an e-newsletter – billed as a “one-minute read” – that provides information about upcoming Chamber events, program deadlines, new investors, investor anniversaries, and major announcements from Chamber companies.

The Business Beat

The Chamber’s Leadership Circle investors have access to a short, daily round-up of news articles and opinion pieces that relate to topics of interest to Albuquerque’s business community.

For questions about joining the Chamber and partnering in our important work, please call (505) 764-3700 today.

CHAMBER LEADERSHIP

■ Bohannan Huston, Inc. President and CEO since 2017, with nearly 30 years of industry experience

■ Previously two-time Leadership Albuquerque chair and education reform policy committee chair with the Chamber

■ Has served on a variety of community and professional organizations, including as the Chairman of the New Mexico District Council of the Urban Land Institute

■ Has provided design services for numerous LEED certified projects around New Mexico as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Accredited Professional

■ Holds a bachelor’s degree from New Mexico State University in civil engineering and a master’s degree from the University of New Mexico Anderson School of Management

■ Joined the Chamber staff in 1978 and has served as President and CEO for 40 years

■ The first female to lead a big-city chamber of commerce in the U.S. and the first female to lead the American Chamber of Commerce Executive Association

■ Certified Chamber Executive, CCE professional designation, 1988

■ Graduate, Institute of Organization Management, 1986

■ Chair, Stanford Institute of Organization Management, 1991 and faculty member

BOARD

■ Founder and CEO of Esparza Advertising, a marketing firm internationally recognized for industry-best work

■ Has served on the Chamber’s board for 19 years and has served as the chair of each of the Chamber’s public safety and Downtown revitalization policy committees

■ The published author of The Next Dinosaur, a guide for small and mid--sized businesses as they transition from brick-and-mortars to ecommerce

■ Active on many community boards, including the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City

Del

CHAMBER LEADERSHIP

OF DIRECTORS 2023-2024 Executive Committee

Peter Lorenz Immediate Past Chair, Local Government Affairs Chair Unirac

Kellie Mixon Treasurer New Mexico Mutual

Doug Majewski Chair, Downtown Transformation BIG, Hartman + Majewski Design Group

Sherman McCorkle State Legislative Affairs Chair Sandia Science and Technology Park

Liz Earls

ABQ Reads Chair U.S. Bank

Tom Antram

Leadership Albuquerque Chair French Funerals & Cremations

Scott Hindman Public Safety BIG Chair Excellent Schools New Mexico

Del Archuleta Education BIG Chair Molzen Corbin & Associates

Leean Kravitz Federal Government Affairs Chair & Washington, DC Fly-in Chair Fidelity Investments

Don Tarry Member At-Large PNM Resources

Kevin Eades CANs Chair Molzen Corbin & Associates

Tom Jenkins EDTs Chair Real Estate Advisors

Carolyn Ingram Member At-Large Molina Healthcare

Terri Cole*, President and CEO

Esparza*, Chairman-elect of the Board

Bruce Stidworthy*, Chairman of the Board

*Executive committee member

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Board Members

Kamal Ali PNC Bank

Rick Alvidrez Miller Stratvert Law Firm

Kyle Beasley Bank of Albuquerque

Kate Becker UNM Hospitals

Norman Becker Consultant

Nimish Bhatt Thornburg Investment Management

Nadyne Bicknell Consultant

Thomas R. Briones Briones Business Law Consulting

David Campbell Mesa Del Sol, LLC

Mike Canfield Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

Joe Christian Nusenda Credit Union

Steve Conyne BlueHalo

Dale Dekker Dekker/Perich/Sabatini

Michelle Donaldson KOB-TV

Chris Dunkeson Comcast

DeAnn Eaton Haverland Carter Lifestyle Group

Frank Gallegos Intel Corporation

Angela Gonzales Pattern Energy

Joanie Griffin Sunny505

Carlos Hernandez United Supermarkets

Rob Hester Amazon

Karl Holme* Greater Albuquerque Hotel & Lodging Association

Justin Horwitz Rodey Law Firm

Shad James Jaynes Corporation

Greg Leyendecker New Mexico Bank and Trust

Lauren Madigan Presbyterian Healthcare Services

Paul Madrid REDW

Marsha Majors U.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union

Ryan McGrath Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

Glenn Megehee Komatsu America Corp

Margaret Meister Modrall Sperling Law Firm

Bill Miera Fiore Industries

HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS

Scott Elder

Albuquerque Public Schools

David Gibson

Sandia National Laboratories

Tracy Hartzler

Central New Mexico Community College

Garnett Stokes, Ph.D. University of New Mexico

Chris Mueller SUMCO

Jeremy Oswald Citizens Bank

Isabel Quepons General Mills

Johnny Rodriguez Lowe’s Companies Inc.

Brian Rothe Wagner Equipment

Dr. Robert Rubin Lovelace Biomedical

Brian Rule

Blake’s Lotaburger

Ryan A. Shell New Mexico Gas Company

Paul Silverman Geltmore LLC

Mariposa Sivage Sutin, Thayer & Browne

Ray Smith Klinger Constructors

Molly Stevens

The DoubleTree by Hilton at the Albuquerque Convention Center

Brett Thompson KPMG LLP

Janice Torrez Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico

Andrea Vestrand Netflix Studios

Dr. Doug Ziedonis UNM Health Sciences Center

*Partner status

Colonel Michael J. Power Kirtland Air Force Base

PAST BOARD CHAIRS

1917 – Max Nordhaus

1918 – A.B. McMillen

1919 – W.C. Oestreich

1920 – Dr. Leroy S. Peters

1921 – G.E. Breece

1922 – R.E. Putney

1923 – Arthur Prager

1924 – Allen Bruce

1925-27 – Ira N. Sprecher

1928 – Clyde Oden

1929 – Sol Benjamin

1930 – E.N. Boule

1931-34 – Clyde Oden

1935-41 – Oscar Love, Sr.

1942-45 – Clyde Oden

1946 – Charles Broome

1950 – Elmer Elliot

1951 – Don Woodward

1952 – Robert Fitzgerald

1953 – Robert L. Tripp

1958 – R.P. Tinnin

1959 – Sam Brown

1960 – Archie Westfall

1961 – Edward L. Jory

1962 – Charles S. Lanier

1963 – Caswell U. Forrest

1964 – Arthur L. Welsh

1965 – Jack Jones

1966 – Gene E. Hinkle

1967 – W.D “Dub” James

1968 – Alfred Valdez

1969 – Frank M. Schifani

1970 – Jim Summers

1971 – Mahlon Love

1972 – Jerry D. Geist

1973 – Robert P. Matteucci

1974 – Thomas P. Ryan

1975 – John P. Salazar

1976 – Richard F. Mather

1977 – Jack Westman

1978 – Robert Hoffman

1979 – Bill Trembly

1980 – Chet Caldwell

1981 – Lee B. Zink

1982 – William G. “Bing” Grady

1983 – Roy W. Bidwell

1984 – J.B. “Bud” Mulcock, Jr.

1985 – J. Howard Mock

1986 – Robert E. Jancar

1987 – I.B. Hoover, Jr.

1988-89 – Sherman McCorkle

1989-90 – Joyce Godwin

1990-91 – George Friberg

1991-92 – Tony Strati

1992-93 – Joseph McCabe

1993-94 – Don K. Padgett

1994-95 – Donald E. Kawal

1995-96 – Bob McCabe, AIA

1996-97 – Jeff Sterba

1997-98 – Kathleen Avila

1998-99 – Victor J. Chavez

1999-00 – Adelmo “Del” Archuleta

2000-01 – Rick Alvidrez

2001-02 – Michael Stanford

2002-03 – Norman Becker

2003-04 – Jesse D. Dompreh

2004-05 – James H. Hinton

2005-06 – Cindy McGill

2006-07 – Lonnie Talbert

2007-08 – Paul Sowards

2008-09 – Don Chalmers

July 1, 2009 – January 22, 2010 – Michael Zientek

January 23, 2010 – June 30, 2010 – Adelmo “Del” Archuleta

2010-11 – Pat Vincent-Collawn

2011-12 – Jed Fanning

2012-13 – Dr. Paul Roth

2013-14 – Elizabeth Shipley

2014-15 – Adelmo (Del) Archuleta

2015-16 – Elizabeth Shipley

2016-17 – Tom Antram

2017-18 – Meg Meister

2018-19 – Pat Vincent-Collawn

2019-20 – Mike Canfield

2020-21 – Kyle Beasley

2021-2022 – Norm Becker

2022-2023 – Peter Lorenz

CHAMBER LEADERSHIP CIRCLE

The Chamber’s Leadership Circle is comprised of upper-tier investor companies and organizations in our community that receive access to exclusive benefits, above and beyond the advocacy and connection opportunities afforded to all Chamber investors, including:

CHAMBER LEADERSHIP CIRCLE

Providing safe, reliable and affordable energy is our commitment.

We are building smarter energy infrastructure and transitioning to 100% carbonfree by 2040. At PNM, we are thankful for our employees and crews who work to deliver clean energy to our customers.

Stay ahead of cyber threats.

Discover precisely where your business is most vulnerable with REDW’s Security Scorecard

REDW’s

trusted advisors have spent seven decades helping New

Mexico

businesses

future While cyber threats are

frame a more secure

constantly evolving, we

’ re

here to

provide the expertise you

Scan here for information on REDW’s Security Scorecard

momentum.

need to stay ahead and maintain your