Community leaders discuss future of Northern New Mexico

Community leaders from across Northern New Mexico met at the Hernandez Community Center on June 14 for the third annual Rio Arriba Leadership Summit, hosted by the Northern New Mexico College Foundation, Northern New Mexico College, the Rio Arriba County Commission, and Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Rio Arriba County Commissioner Barney Trujillo set the tone of the discussion with his opening remarks. “The most important thing about the summit is our youth—it’s crucial we work and collaborate for them.” 

Laboratory Director Charlie McMillan underlined the role the Laboratory has played in education and training programs, both through investment from the Board of Governors of Los Alamos National Security, LLC, and from contributions from Laboratory employees to the Los Alamos Employees' Scholarship Fund (LAESF).

Three student recipients of LAESF grants were present at the meeting, including Mario Martinez, who is currently interning at the Laboratory before starting at New Mexico State University in the fall. McMillan recognized the students’ achievements and reflected that “the future of leadership in the region is in good hands.”

McMillan said that increased hiring in recent years means “it continues to be a time of opportunity at the Laboratory” and stressed how initiatives such as the ¡Arriba! internship program at Northern New Mexico College provide a bridge from education to the workplace. He also met with several local high school STEM students who took part in the RoboRave event sponsored by the Laboratory.

Several community leaders, including Española Mayor Alice Lucero, noted the positive influence the Laboratory has on the broader community of Rio Arriba, and Assistant County Manager David Trujillo praised the spirit of cooperation among the attendees at the summit. “Shared success is the best value-added resource,” he said.

Laboratory Director Charlie McMillan addresses the Rio Arriba Leadership Summit. Also pictured are Carole Rutten and Kathy Keith from the Community Partnerships Office, and Laboratory Executive Director Dave Lyons.

Rio Arriba County Commissioner Alex Naranjo, Laboratory Director Charlie McMillan, Rio Arriba County Commissioner Barney Trujillo.