NM IDEA selects annual award winners
Davin Lopez of Mesilla Valley development alliance is top awardee
Davin Lopez, president and CEO of the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance, was named Developer of the Year by New Mexico IDEA, the statewide association of economic developers, for his business recruitment activities over the past year.
“Davin and MVEDA worked with a group of completed projects over the past year that is the most impressive of any region in the state,” says his nomination for the award.
“A sample list includes CN Wire (Turkish wire manufacturer), ARCA Space (unmanned vehicles), Franco Whole Foods (food processing) and MCS (manufacturer and distributor),” it says. “He is collaborative and inclusive in engaging those organizations that can help develop and close projects.”
Lopez was one of six annual award-winners announced at NM IDEA’s recent luncheon at the Hotel Encanto in Las Cruces. The other winners were:
Eric CdeBaca, the New Mexico Partnership’s vice president of business development, who was recognized with the Ethics Award for his commitment to ethical behavior in the economic development profession.
Mike Espiritu, president and CEO of the Otero County Economic Development Council and Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce, who was given the Dallan Sanders Award in recognition of his dedication and achievements in rural New Mexico.
Sara Haring, director of the Job Training Incentive Program at the New Mexico Economic Development Department, who was given the Ben Luján Public Servant of the Year award. Haring’s nomination says she does her job “with true professionalism, unbiased judgment and a strong desire to help the people of New Mexico.”
Linda McArthur, special events coordinator with Western New Mexico University’s Small Business Development Center, who was recognized with the Linda Kay Jones New Mexico First Award for her statewide impact on economic development throughout her career.
Sean Ormand, president of First New Mexico Bank of Silver City and former acting chair of the New Mexico Partnership for six years, who was selected as Volunteer of the Year. Currently vice chair of the partnership, Ormand was recognized for his “steady, positive leadership to the organization.”
Also at the Nov. 13 luncheon, Carol Radosevich, PNM Resources’ director of economic development and stakeholder relations, was recognized with Honorary Member status by NM IDEA for her long-term leadership of the organization’s advocacy efforts on behalf of economic-development legislation.