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Southwestern Area
Catron • Doña Ana • Grant • Hidalgo • Luna • Sierra • Socorro Counties
CEO Membership
Region IV, Chief Elected Officials (CEOs)
Under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Chief Elected Official (CEO) membership for Region IV is comprised of the presiding Commission Chairs and all Mayors from Catron, Doña Ana, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, Sierra, and Socorro Counties. In accordance with NMAC 11.2.4.7, the County Commissioners have primary financial liability for WIOA funds, and they serve as the sole voting members. Mayors serve in a non-voting, advisory capacity to ensure regional representation. Beyond fiscal oversight, the CEOs are responsible for appointing members to the Southwestern Area Workforce Development Board (SAWDB) to ensure system accountability and regional alignment.
Purpose
In partnership with the SAWDB, the CEOs are responsible for coordinating local-level activities to increase employment, retention, occupational skills, and earnings of the regional workforce. The CEOs maintain autonomy and oversight of the workforce investment system for the Local Area, ensuring continuous improvement in worker preparation and regional economic competitiveness.
CEO Officers & Members
Officers
Commissioner Chris Ponce, Chief Lead Elected Official (Grant County)
Commissioner Jim Paxon, Vice-Chief Lead Elected Official (Sierra County)
Members
Commissioner Joe Gonzales (Socorro County)
Commissioner Buster Floyd Green (Catron County)
Commissioner Art Malott (Hidalgo County)
Commissioner Manny Sanchez, Chief (Doña Ana County)
Commissioner Ray Trejo (Luna County)
Mayor Ravi Bhasker (City of Socorro, Socorro County)
Mayor Jacob Biggler (Village of Virden, Hidalgo County)
Mayor Eric Enriquez (City of Las Cruces, Doña Ana County)
Mayor Mayor Rolf Hechler (City of Truth or Consequences, Sierra County)
Mayor Russell Hernandez (Town of Mesilla, Doña Ana County)
Mayor Richard Holcomb (City of Elephant Butte, Sierra County)
Mayor Gabriel Holguin (City of Anthony, Doña Ana County)
Mayor Hilda Kellar (Village of Reserve, Catron County)
Mayor Arnold Lopez (Santa Clara, Grant County)
Mayor Martin Neave (City of Lordsburg, Hidalgo County)
Mayor John L. Ojinaga (City of Bayard, Grant County)
Mayor Javier Perea (City of Sunland Park, Doña Ana County)
Chapter Vice-President Nigel Secatero (Alamo Navajo Reservation, Socorro County)
Mayor Michele "Micki" Shillito (City of Deming, Luna County)
Mayor Phillip Skinner (Village of Columbus, Luna County)
Mayor Deb Stubblefield (Village of Williamsburg, Sierra County)
Mayor Michael Thompson (Village of Magdalena, Socorro County)
Mayor Dennis Torres (Village of Hatch, Doña Ana County)
Mayor Simon Wheaton-Smith (Town of Silver City, Grant County)
VACANT (Town of Hurley, Grant County)
CEO Staff / Administrative Entity (AE)
The South Central Council of Governments is contracted to provide
Administrative Entity services for the Southwestern Area Workforce Development Board
The South Central Council of Governments is located in Elephant Butte, NM, with a satellite office in Mesilla, NM
Mailing Address: PO Box 1072, Elephant Butte, NM 87935
Physical Address: 600 Hwy 195, Suite C, Elephant Butte, NM 87935
Jay Armijo
SCCOG Executive Director
Office: (575) 744-4857
Skylar Arnold
Fiscal Administrator
Office: (575) 744-4857
Fayth Grijalva
Administrative Specialist
Mobile: (575) 740-8129
Glory Juarez
WIOA Administrator
Mobile: (575) 740-2992
Angela Longovia
Communications Manager
Mobile: (575) 740-6484
Diana Luchini
Fiscal Clerk
Office: (575) 744-4857
Krisye Shook
WIOA Program Monitor
Office: (575) 744-4857
Mobile: (575) 740-8405
Jaymi Simms
WIOA Program Manager
Office: (575) 744-4857
Mobile: (575) 740-8402