Special To KRTN Multi-Media
Paul Jenkins of Grow Raton was recognized as volunteer of the year at the NM Industrial Development Executives Association at their annual meeting.
The New Mexico IDEA Awards are given to individuals and/or organizations to encourage, recognize and promote outstanding achievement and professionalism in the field of economic development. This Award is given to a person who has contributed to the success of a significant project that created or enhanced jobs in their community during the past twelve (12) months. The awards are given each year at NMIDEA’s annual meeting which took place this year at NM Tech in Socorro.
Jenkins was nominated for the award by Tim Hagaman, New Mexico Economic Dev. Dept. Community Business Rural Development Representative, Region 4. Hagaman said,
“The NMIDEA named Raton’s Paul Jenkins as volunteer of the year as recognized by his peers during their annual conference. Paul’s commitment regionally with no borders was recognized through his desire to make a difference through his leadership and strategic planning with grow Raton, Raton Basin, and NEEDO, our regional economic development organization.
IDEA Awards
Socorro – Five individuals were recognized for their contribution to economic development in New Mexico this week at the New
Mexico IDEA annual meeting, held at New Mexico Tech in Socorro. Among the five individuals who received awards were the New
Mexico Economic Development Department’s (NMEDD) Mark Roper and Therese Varela.
“New Mexico has many talented and hardworking professionals, both in the Economic Development Department and in other
organizations, dedicating countless hours to creating an environment where businesses can thrive and I thank NM IDEA for
recognizing these individuals for their great work,” said New Mexico Economic Development Secretary Jon Barela. “I am grateful
to their efforts and count on them as partners as we continue growing our private sector and creating jobs for New Mexicans.”
Mark Roper, who is a Community, Business & Rural Development Team representative for the Economic Development Department serving
southeast New Mexico, received the “New Mexico First” award. Roper played a significant role in creating and implementing the
department’s Business Retention & Expansion program. His work with the aviation cluster in Roswell led to two bills in the 2014
Legislative session that support the industry and facilitated job growth in his region. The legislation was signed into law by
Governor Susana Martinez earlier this year.
Therese Varela, Economic Development division director for the Economic Development Department, was recognized with the “Public
Servant of the Year”award. Varela has made a career serving the people of New Mexico through her more than 20 years at NMEDD.
She served as director of the Job Training Incentive Program for many years prior to being appointed division director by
Secretary Barela in January 2011. Varela works with communities of all sizes to administer NMEDD’s key programs. She is also a
leader in Santa Fe, the city where she was raised, and she devotes many hours of volunteer time to a number of organizations.
Others receiving awards were:
Mark Van Wormer, M.D., executive director of the Union County Economic Development Corporation, received the “Dallan Sanders
Award” for his instrumental work in the development of the Clayton Industrial Park and the Clayton bio-fuels project and as the
president of Clayton MainStreet.
Paul Jenkins of Raton, received the “Volunteer of the Year” award for efforts resulting in the creation of the Greater Raton
Economic Development Corporation and the seven-county North East Economic Development Organization (NEEDO). He also
participated in the creation of an economic development strategic plan for Raton and the region, and he has worked to create a
marketing alliance between Trinidad, Colorado and Raton.
Myra Pancrazio, executive director of the Estancia Valley Economic
Development Alliance, received the “Developer of the Year” award for working to bring economic growth to her rural region. She
played an instrumental role in not only retaining Titan Aerospacein Moriarty but helped them continue to grow there as a Google
company. She also chairs the NMEDD’s Rural Economic Development Council.
The awards were presented by Deborah Breitfeld, Brycon Construction, president of IDEA, and George Bootes, past president. New
Mexico IDEA is an organization of economic development professionals, and community and business leaders dedicated to bringing
new jobs and investment to the state.
The New Mexico Economic Development Department’s mission is to enhance and leverage a competitive environment to create jobs,
develop the tax base, and provide incentives for business development. For more information visit goNM.biz.
