New Mexico State University recently brought together several influential business, civic and philanthropic leaders from across the nation to Las Cruces via the President’s Roundtable, a select advisory group that reflects the university’s commitment to engaging leaders who are shaping the future of industry, education and communities across the region.
The President’s Roundtable provides a forum for NMSU President Valerio Ferme to reflect on strategic priorities, including research expansion, workforce development, industry partnerships, student success and philanthropic investment. Members also serve as ambassadors for the university, helping connect NMSU with policy and economic networks, emerging opportunities and strategic partnerships that advance its mission and extend its impact.
The group includes business executives, accomplished alumni, civic leaders and philanthropic partners. Their backgrounds span leadership of global corporations, economic development initiatives, and advocacy on behalf of education and communities across the country. Collectively, the members bring decades of experience and shared commitment to expanding opportunities through higher education.
Following its inaugural meeting in Las Cruces Sept. 24, members of the roundtable will meet quarterly to provide insights on emerging opportunities in the national economic and educational landscape and discuss the challenges facing higher education in the coming years.
The goal of these discussions is to create an additional advisory resource that can help NMSU anticipate challenges, create opportunities for expanded partnerships, support student success initiatives and identify innovative avenues for research, economic development and philanthropic growth.
“The idea anchoring the roundtable reflects both the momentum of New Mexico State University and the opportunity of leveraging expertise and innovative ideas in fields internal and external to the academy,” Ferme said. “Bringing together visionary leaders from business, philanthropy and community development helps us operationalize a forum where ideas can be presented, discussed, prioritized and then tested through NMSU Forward, the strategic direction embraced by the university.”
Ferme sees an additional benefit of convening the group.
“When students see leaders of this stature engaged with NMSU, especially those who graduated from the university and had incredibly successful careers, they see what is possible,” he said. “We want every student to understand that their path can begin here and lead anywhere.”
President’s roundtables are often used at universities across the country to bring together institutional leaders, alumni and business executives to discuss strategic priorities, foster collaboration and strengthen support for higher education.
“I look forward to working with this distinguished group to facilitate meaningful discussions, shape priorities in collaboration with university leadership and ensure a broad range of perspectives are represented,” said chair Kevin R. Johnson ’81. “NMSU has long been a place where talent, determination and opportunity come together. As someone whose own journey began here, I’m honored to help convene a group of leaders committed to expanding what is possible for future generations of Aggies.”
Roundtable members include:
- Kevin Johnson ’81, chair, former president and CEO of Starbucks Coffee Company
- Louis A. Vega ’91, former president, Dow North America
- Woody Hunt, chairman emeritus of the board, Hunt Companies
- Julie Dill ’81, nonexecutive chair, Rayonier Advanced Materials
- Jim Snee ’89, former president, CEO and board chair, Hormel Foods
- Tammy Snee ’90, founding member, Hometown Food Security Project
- Royal Jones, co-founder, Mesilla Valley Transportation
- James Holland ’87, former chief operating officer, Kinder Morgan
- Doug Davis ’83, former senior vice president, Automated Driving Group, Intel
- D’Anna S. Keinan, managing director, Soledad Canyon Real Estate LLC
- Laree Perez, investment consultant and vice president, DeRoy & Devereaux
“The President’s Roundtable sends a powerful message about who we are and where we’re headed as a university,” said Sylvia Y. Acosta, CEO of the NMSU Foundation. “When leaders of this caliber choose to invest their time, expertise and networks in NMSU, it demonstrates the growing influence of our institution and the important role it plays in shaping the future of our region. This group will help us elevate NMSU’s visibility, strengthen strategic partnerships and create transformational opportunities for our students, faculty and communities.”
Beyond its advisory role, the President’s Roundtable reflects NMSU’s growing prominence as a university that convenes leaders, advances solutions and creates opportunity. For prospective students, the group demonstrates the reach of the Aggie network and the connections available through an NMSU education. For New Mexico and the Southwest, it underscores the university’s role as a trusted partner in addressing workforce needs, driving economic development and preparing the next generation of leaders.