The board of directors of the New Mexico State University Foundation named seven new members to its team, bringing the total number of directors to 33. New members Kevin Conroy, Marc Reyes, Margaret Hardin, Michael Packard, Abel Covarrubias, Elijah Baca and Del Esparza represent nearly every field of study taught at the university, lending professional experience of more than 200 years.
With backgrounds ranging from finance to energy, transportation, marketing, economics, social services and real estate, each new board member brings a range of expertise to guide the Foundation in its mission to foster long-term relationships with alumni, supporters and the community to manage a sustainable source of private resources that will enable NMSU to fulfill its land-grant status.
“We are thrilled to have each one of these individuals join the New Mexico State University Foundation Board of Directors,” said Derek Dictson, Foundation president. “Their focus, knowledge and passion for New Mexico State students, faculty and alumni will contribute significantly to our ability to shape the future for generations to come.”
New board members include:
- Kevin Conroy ’92: He is senior vice president of Midwest One Bank. A double graduate of NMSU, he received a bachelor’s and master’s in finance. Conroy served as president and CEO of Caliche’s Frozen Custard before moving into commercial banking in 2005. He lives in Westminster, Colorado.
- Marc Reyes ’01: After graduating from NMSU, he went on to earn his MBA from Willamette University. Reyes began work as a power trader for El Paso Electric Company, then moved to Nevada Energy where he started as manager of Market Fundamentals and eventually became treasurer. Today, he is interconnection director for Fervo Energy, helping accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.
- Margaret Hardin ’94: She is a board director for Hydralite North America. Having previously scaled two consumer goods companies to more than $100 million in revenue, she currently advises founders on how to grow their companies. After earning a bachelor’s degree in business from NMSU and an MBA from the University of Chicago, Hardin began her career with Iomega and went on to serve as chief financial officer, chief operating officer and president of Munchkin.
- Michael Packard ’64: He graduated from NMSU with a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies. He worked for International Initiatives for 33 years before becoming senior vice president of Associa. A huge Aggies fan, Packard resides in Carlsbad, California.
- Abel Covarrubias ’96: He is a double graduate of NMSU with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s in education. He founded the Aprendamos Intervention Team in 2006 and has seen it grow to encompass Esperanza Children’s Therapy, Mariposa Autism Service Center, Algeria Family Counseling, Carino Home Visiting and the Conscious Fathering Program of Southern New Mexico.
- Elijah Baca ’06: He graduated from NMSU with a bachelor’s in finance. As CEO of the Santa Clara Development Corporation, Baca manages the Santa Claran Casino and Santa Clara Retail Enterprises. He was named to the 40 under 40 list by Albuquerque Business First, as well as Economic Professional of the Year by Travois.
- Del Esparza ’91: He graduated from NMSU with a bachelor’s in finance. He founded Esparza Digital + Advertising in 2000 to provide strategic marketing, advertising and business solutions to a broad range of national public and private clients. A native of Albuquerque, Esparza acquired his marketing expertise at IBM, Dupont and Conoco.
In addition, the Foundation named its new chair, vice chair, secretary and treasurer for 2023.
- Christian Hendrickson ’97: He is the new chair of the NMSU Foundation board of directors. A civil trial lawyer and partner of Sherman and Howard, the oldest law firm in Colorado, Hendrickson graduated with honors from NMSU and later received a juris doctor from the Colorado School of Law in 2000. He previously served as vice chair of the Foundation.
- Louis Vega ’92: He assumes duties as the new vice chair of the NMSU Foundation board of the directors. Vega is president of Dow North America, leading Dow’s largest region with 18,000 employees, 54 locations and $15.5 billion in revenue.
- Amy Hummer: She becomes the new secretary of the NMSU Foundation board of directors. A graduate of Baylor University, Hummer is the co-owner and qualifying broker of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate – Steinborn and Associates, the largest real estate broker in southern New Mexico.
- Aaron De Los Santos ’04: He is the new treasurer of the NMSU Foundation board of directors. After graduating from NMSU, De Los Santos received an MBA from Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business. He is currently a business program manager for Raytheon.
The NMSU Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that works to build a brighter future for the university. Board of director members include alumni and distinguished partners, each with extensive business experience. These individuals are eligible to serve three consecutive three-year terms, during which they determine the investment and fundraising policies of the Foundation.
For more information about the NMSU Foundation, visit nmsufoundation.org.