Wes Dyer
Wes Dyer, known throughout New Mexico as the AWOL Angler, has dedicated himself to helping military veterans navigate the difficult transition back to civilian life through the healing power of the outdoors. Based in Rio Rancho, Wes founded a nonprofit organization centered around fly fishing excursions designed specifically for veterans struggling with PTSD, isolation, anxiety, and the invisible wounds that often follow military service.
What makes Wes’s work so impactful is its simplicity and authenticity. Instead of traditional clinical settings, he meets veterans on rivers, lakes, and streams, creating an environment where trust builds naturally and conversations happen without pressure. Out on the water, surrounded by nature and others who understand similar struggles, many veterans find a sense of peace, connection, and belonging that can be difficult to access elsewhere.
Wes has built the program around camaraderie, mentorship, and shared experience. These trips are not just about fishing, they are about rebuilding confidence, restoring purpose, and reminding veterans they are not alone. His approach recognizes that healing often begins with simply showing up, listening, and creating space for people to reconnect with themselves and others.
Those who know Wes describe his work as deeply personal and hands-on. He is not removed from the mission, he’s right there beside the veterans he serves, building relationships and creating experiences that leave lasting impact. In a state with a strong military and veteran community, the work Wes Dyer is doing matters tremendously. Quietly and consistently, he has created something that is changing lives one conversation, one cast, and one fishing trip at a time.
Janet Kahn
Janet Kahn was a transformative force in Albuquerque Public Schools whose leadership helped revive and expand fine arts education for thousands of students across New Mexico. Following devastating budget cuts that had nearly eliminated elementary art and music programs, Janet led a renaissance in Fine Arts at APS, believing every child deserved access to creativity, expression, and the opportunities the arts provide.
A graduate of Highland High School and the University of New Mexico, Janet’s most lasting accomplishment was helping rebuild a districtwide elementary fine arts program that fully integrated both art and music into schools. Beginning in 1996 with the hiring of just 22 certified art and music teachers, the program grew under her leadership to more than 100 educators by the time she retired in 2012. Her vision changed the educational experience of countless children across Albuquerque.
Janet was also instrumental in creating community partnerships that strengthened arts education and launched programs that became staples within APS, including Art in the Open, the Metro Show, the Focus Show, Art Is Elementary, the Elementary Honor Choir, and A is for Art! Her work helped connect students, schools, artists, and the broader community in meaningful and lasting ways.
Before leading Fine Arts, Janet also served as the first director of APS’s Join-A-School program, which successfully paired businesses with schools to create long-term partnerships and community support systems benefiting students throughout the district.
Janet Kahn retired in 2012 and passed away in 2016 after a long battle with cancer, but her impact continues to be felt every day in APS classrooms, performances, and art programs across the city. In recognition of her extraordinary legacy, the APS Board of Education renamed Eubank Elementary as the Janet Kahn School of Integrated Arts, ensuring her lifelong commitment to education and the arts will continue inspiring future generations.
Michelle Jenson
Michelle Jenson is one of those people who quietly makes New Mexico better without ever seeking recognition for it. While many know her through her work in real estate, her greatest impact has come through her unwavering support of children and families battling cancer.
After her own son was diagnosed with cancer in 2018, Michelle took one of the hardest experiences a parent can face and turned it into a mission to help others. She became deeply involved with the Children’s Cancer Fund of New Mexico, dedicating countless hours to fundraising efforts, organizing events, assembling care packages, and supporting families navigating the emotional and financial weight of childhood cancer treatment.
What makes Michelle stand out is the sincerity behind everything she does. She consistently gives her time, energy, and heart to families during some of the darkest moments of their lives, not for attention or praise, but simply because she genuinely cares. She understands firsthand what those families are going through, and she works tirelessly to make sure they feel supported, encouraged, and never alone.
Michelle represents the very spirit of the initiative, compassion, resilience, humility, and service to others when it matters most. Her impact may often happen quietly behind the scenes, but for the families she has helped, it has meant everything.
Dr. Arthur H. Guenther
Dr. Arthur H. Guenther was a pioneering scientist, educator, and public servant whose work helped shape New Mexico into a national leader in science, technology, and STEM education. More than 40 years ago, he was one of the four founders who brought MESA (Math, Engineering, Science Achievement) to New Mexico, helping launch a program that has since guided tens of thousands of underrepresented students toward college and careers in STEM fields.
Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Guenther served in leadership and scientific roles at the Air Force Weapons Laboratory at Kirtland Air Force Base, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Sandia National Laboratories, helping strengthen New Mexico’s research and national defense capabilities while mentoring future generations of scientists and engineers.
He also became the driving force behind the creation of the New Mexico Optics Industry Association, helping establish New Mexico as a recognized center for optics and photonics research and industry. In addition, he served as a research professor at the University of New Mexico’s Center for High Technology Materials and later became New Mexico’s first Science Advisor to the Governor, serving administrations from both political parties with integrity and vision.
Dr. Guenther’s legacy lives on through the industries he helped build, the students he inspired, and the countless opportunities he created for New Mexicans through education, science, and innovation.
Maralyn Beck
Maralyn Beck is a leading advocate for New Mexico’s most vulnerable children and the founder and executive director of the New Mexico Child First Network, the state’s only nonprofit solely focused on improving outcomes for children in foster care and supporting the families and professionals who care for them.
A former foster parent herself, Maralyn has firsthand experience with the challenges facing New Mexico’s child welfare system. Through advocacy, public awareness, trauma-informed training, and legislative engagement, she has become a powerful voice for reforms aimed at strengthening foster care, improving child safety, and addressing the root causes of abuse, neglect, and instability.
Under her leadership, the New Mexico Child First Network has worked to create meaningful support systems and opportunities for children in care, while also bringing statewide attention to the systemic issues affecting at-risk youth and families. Her work is rooted in the belief that every child deserves safety, stability, and the chance to succeed.
Maralyn’s dedication, compassion, and relentless advocacy continue to make a lasting impact on the lives of vulnerable children across New Mexico.
Bob Gerding (1938–2013)
Bob Gerding (1938–2013) was known throughout the state as “New Mexico’s Ambassador to the Outdoors,” a title earned through decades of promoting fly fishing, conservation, and outdoor recreation across New Mexico. Born in Denver in 1938, Bob moved to New Mexico as a child and developed a lifelong passion for the outdoors, especially the Jemez Mountains, where he and his twin brother worked at the Lazy Ray Ranch during their youth.
A graduate of Highland High School and the University of New Mexico, Bob eventually turned his love for the outdoors into a career dedicated to helping others discover New Mexico’s natural beauty. He created the highly successful Bob Gerding’s Outdoor Adventures Hunting & Fishing Show at Expo New Mexico, a major annual event that drew outfitters and vendors from around the world. He also hosted the television program Wild New Mexico and became a familiar voice through his longtime fishing reports on 94 Rock with T.J. Trout.
For nearly 40 years, Bob taught fly fishing and fly-tying clinics, introducing hundreds of New Mexicans to the sport. He taught continuing education courses at UNM, helped launch fly fishing education efforts at Valles Caldera, and authored A Practical Guide to Fly Tying, distributed nationally and internationally. Those who knew him often said he cared more about the sport and the outdoors than personal recognition or profit.
Bob was also deeply involved in charitable outdoor events and conservation efforts throughout the region. His impact on New Mexico’s outdoor culture was so significant that following his passing in 2013, the New Mexico House of Representatives formally honored his life and legacy. In 2014, Albuquerque’s Tingley Beach Catch and Release Pond was officially renamed the Bob Gerding Catch and Release Pond, recognizing his lifelong commitment to fishing, education, and the New Mexico outdoors.
Dr. Greg Sherr
Dr. Greg Sherr is one of those rare physicians who combines elite medical expertise with genuine compassion and humanity. A board-certified neurosurgeon with more than 20 years of experience, Dr. Sherr has built a reputation not only for his skill in the operating room, but for the way he cares for patients and families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. He takes the time to explain, listen, and guide people through frightening and often life-changing situations with empathy and reassurance.
What makes his impact on New Mexico especially meaningful is that he chose to be here. After a successful career in Florida, Dr. Sherr made the deliberate decision to relocate to New Mexico and invest his talent, energy, and future into improving healthcare in this state. One of his biggest passions has been advancing stroke care and helping establish a certified stroke program in a state that currently lacks one. He believes New Mexicans deserve access to world-class neurological and stroke care close to home, without having to leave the state for treatment, and his work reflects a deep commitment to raising the standard of care across the region.
Beyond his credentials and accomplishments, Dr. Sherr is known as someone who genuinely cares about people, his patients, colleagues, and the broader community. His dedication, leadership, and vision continue to make a lasting impact on healthcare in New Mexico.
Harrison Schmitt
Harrison Schmitt, better known to many as “Jack” Schmitt, is one of New Mexico’s most accomplished public figures and a true American pioneer. A geologist, astronaut, scientist, and former United States Senator, Schmitt made history as the only professional geologist ever to walk on the moon during NASA’s Apollo 17 mission in 1972, the final manned mission of the Apollo program.
Born and raised in New Mexico, Schmitt graduated from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology before earning his doctorate in geology from Harvard University. His scientific expertise became instrumental to NASA during the height of the space race, helping advance the nation’s understanding of lunar science and exploration. During Apollo 17, Schmitt spent more than 22 hours on the lunar surface conducting experiments and collecting geological samples that continue to contribute to scientific research today.
Following his historic NASA career, Schmitt continued serving the country through public office, representing New Mexico in the United States Senate from 1977 to 1983. Throughout his career, he remained a strong advocate for science, technology, energy development, and space exploration, helping position New Mexico as a state deeply connected to innovation and research.
Jack Schmitt’s life represents exploration, service, and achievement at the very highest level. From the deserts of New Mexico to the surface of the moon, his legacy continues to inspire generations of scientists, students, military personnel, and New Mexicans who understand the importance of curiosity, courage, and pushing beyond what once seemed impossible.
Cathryn Starr
Cathryn Starr has become a respected leader in animal rescue through her work with Watermelon Mountain Ranch, one of New Mexico’s most recognized rescue organizations. Through her dedication and compassion, she has helped countless neglected, abandoned, and vulnerable animals receive the care, safety, and second chances they deserve.
Her work goes far beyond finding homes for pets. Cathryn has helped support rescue efforts, community outreach, adoption programs, and education surrounding responsible pet ownership and animal welfare. She understands that rescuing animals also strengthens families and communities, creating lasting bonds between people and pets who might otherwise never have found one another.
Known for her tireless commitment and genuine compassion, Cathryn has made a lasting impact on both the animals she helps save and the families whose lives are enriched through adoption and rescue.
Michael Golden
Michael currently serves with the Albuquerque Police Department, but his commitment to service began long before he ever put on an APD uniform. At a young age, he enlisted in the New Mexico Army National Guard, completing Basic Combat Training before his senior year of high school and Advanced Individual Training before starting college. For six years, he balanced military service alongside school, work, and the responsibilities of everyday life, quietly building a foundation rooted in discipline, sacrifice, and service to others.
For Michael, serving others is not simply a career, it is part of who he is. While serving in law enforcement, he survived being shot in the chest in the line of duty. The bullet struck his radio, which ultimately saved his life. Many people would have understandably stepped away after an experience like that. Michael chose to continue serving his community anyway, a decision that speaks volumes about his courage, character, and commitment to protecting others.
Whether serving his country, protecting his community, or supporting the people closest to him, Michael Golden leads with courage, humility, and selflessness. He represents the very best of New Mexico, and to those who know him, he has long been a hero already.
Neal Schotwell
Neal Shotwell serves as president of the board for Rio Rancho Creative Crossroads, helping guide one of the city’s key organizations focused on arts, culture, and community development. Through his leadership, the organization has continued creating opportunities for local artists, musicians, and creatives while building programs that bring the community together in meaningful ways.
He plays a central role in making sure Rio Rancho’s growth includes more than just rooftops and roads. Neal understands that strong communities also need identity, creativity, and spaces where people can connect. Much of the work happens quietly behind the scenes, but its impact can be seen in the city’s growing cultural presence and community pride.
His dedication to supporting the arts and investing in the character of Rio Rancho reflects a long-term commitment to making New Mexico not just bigger, but better connected and more vibrant for the people who call it home.
Greg Brown
Greg Brown has built one of the greatest high school basketball dynasties in New Mexico history, but ask him what matters most and championships are not the first thing he talks about. As the longtime head coach of Volcano Vista High School boys basketball, Brown has guided the Hawks to a record-setting five consecutive Class 5A state championships, establishing the program as a model of excellence across the state.
But for Coach Brown, the foundation of success has never been just winning games. His philosophy centers on humility, discipline, hard work, and appreciation for opportunity. While the championships have brought excitement and recognition, Brown has consistently emphasized character, accountability, and teamwork above everything else. He teaches his players not to take success for granted and to understand that real growth comes through preparation, sacrifice, and overcoming adversity together.
Under his leadership, Volcano Vista has become more than a powerhouse basketball program. It has become a culture built on consistency, respect, and high standards both on and off the court. Players who come through the program are expected not only to compete at a high level, but to carry themselves with maturity and gratitude.
Brown’s steady leadership and commitment to fundamentals have earned the respect of athletes, parents, fellow coaches, and the wider community. In an era where sports can often focus solely on trophies and headlines, Greg Brown has built something lasting, a program that develops young men while setting a standard for excellence in New Mexico athletics.
Annie Clark
Annie Clark is the definition of a quiet hero, someone who saw suffering in her community and decided to do something about it instead of waiting for someone else to step in. Across Albuquerque, she has become known for personally helping unhoused individuals and their pets by gathering and distributing jackets, shoes, blankets, food, water, pet supplies, and other essentials, often paying for much of it out of her own pocket.
What makes Annie’s work remarkable is not just the generosity, but the consistency and heart behind it. She spends countless hours driving across the city checking on vulnerable people and abandoned or neglected animals, making sure they are fed, safe, and cared for. Her car has essentially become a mobile outreach center, stocked with supplies for both people and pets. Those who know her say she rarely seeks attention or recognition, she simply sees a need and responds.
Annie has become especially known for advocating for the pets of Albuquerque’s unhoused population, recognizing that for many people living on the streets, their animals are their only source of companionship and unconditional love. She has organized donations of dog food, leashes, blankets, jackets, and even protective dog socks to shield animals’ paws from scorching pavement during New Mexico summers.
Beyond direct outreach, Annie has also been willing to speak up about neglected and abused animals, helping raise awareness around conditions many people never see. She has worked to rally community support and push for stronger attention to vulnerable animals and people living on the margins.
In a world where it’s easy to look away, Annie Clark keeps showing up. Her compassion, humility, and relentless commitment to helping others, both human and animal, embody the kind of everyday service that quietly changes lives and strengthens the heart of a community.
Julian Padilla Jr. (1943–2023)
Julian Padilla Jr. (1943–2023) was one of Albuquerque’s most influential Hispanic business leaders and community advocates, leaving behind a legacy that helped shape the city’s economic and professional landscape for generations. As a founding force behind the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce, Padilla played a critical role in creating opportunities for Hispanic-owned businesses and advancing economic growth throughout New Mexico. His leadership helped establish the Chamber as one of the most respected and impactful business organizations in the state.
An accomplished attorney, educator, entrepreneur, and mentor, Padilla dedicated much of his life to helping others build successful futures. He founded the Padilla Real Estate School, where he trained and mentored thousands of aspiring real estate brokers and professionals over the years. Through his teaching, he opened doors for countless New Mexicans looking to create careers, build businesses, and achieve financial stability. He also successfully operated his own real estate brokerage, earning respect across the industry for both his professionalism and his commitment to mentorship.
Beyond business, Julian Padilla Jr. was deeply committed to education, civic engagement, and lifting up the Hispanic community. He believed strongly in creating pathways for others to succeed and spent decades helping build institutions that would continue serving New Mexico long after his own career. His leadership and vision helped strengthen Albuquerque’s business community during periods of major growth and change.
His contributions are permanently recognized on the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce’s “La Escalera” wall, honoring the original pioneers who helped build the organization from the ground up. It is a fitting tribute to a man whose impact continues to be felt across Albuquerque through the businesses he helped launch, the professionals he mentored, and the community he worked tirelessly to strengthen.
Juan Velasco Jr. (1963-2024)
Juan Velasco was one of those rare people who didn’t just work in New Mexico, he helped shape its culture and community. For more than 30 years on 92.3 KRST, his voice became part of everyday life across Albuquerque and beyond, creating a genuine connection with listeners who trusted him not just as a radio personality, but as someone who truly cared about the people and communities he served.
But Juan’s impact extended far beyond the microphone. Off the air, he dedicated countless hours to giving back, helping raise significant funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, supporting charitable causes, and showing up for local events as a DJ, emcee, and community advocate. Whether it was a fundraiser, festival, or neighborhood event, Juan was the kind of person who always made time for people.
Named New Mexico Broadcasting Association DJ of the Year, Juan earned the respect of both listeners and colleagues throughout his career. Yet those closest to him would tell you his greatest legacy wasn’t the awards or recognition, it was the way he made people feel. He had a gift for bringing people together, making communities feel connected, and representing New Mexico with authenticity, warmth, and heart.
Juan Velasco gave far more than he ever asked for in return, and the state of New Mexico is better because of the life he lived. His legacy of service, generosity, and connection is exactly what the 250 Flags initiative was created to honor.
Adeline Herrera
Adeline Herrera has dedicated herself to honoring and serving veterans across Northern New Mexico through her leadership with Honor Flight of Northern New Mexico. As Past President and current Board Member, she has played a key role in helping veterans travel to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials built in their honor, many for the first time in their lives.
Under her leadership, the organization expanded its outreach, strengthened fundraising efforts, and helped ensure more veterans, especially from the World War II and Korean War generations, could experience these meaningful trips at no cost. Known for her humility and hands-on approach, Adeline consistently steps in wherever needed, supporting events, working with donors, and personally connecting with veterans and their families.
Even after serving as President, she has remained deeply involved as a board member, continuing to provide leadership, mentorship, and support to the organization. Her work has created lasting moments of recognition and gratitude for countless veterans while strengthening the community’s connection to those who served.
Adeline Herrera’s compassion, leadership, and unwavering dedication to veterans embody the very spirit of service and community.
Walter Adams
Walter Adams embodies the spirit of the 250 Flags initiative through his leadership, compassion, and dedication to strengthening New Mexico communities. As Deputy Director of Field Operations for Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS), Walter has helped build one of the nation’s most innovative community safety programs, transforming how Albuquerque responds to behavioral health crises, homelessness, substance abuse issues, welfare checks, and other non-violent emergencies.
ACS responders are often called during the most vulnerable moments in a person’s life. Under Walter’s leadership, those calls are met with compassion, dignity, and a trauma-informed approach focused on care instead of punishment. His work has helped create a system where people in crisis are truly supported and connected with resources that can change lives.
Walter’s journey reflects his deep commitment to service. As one of ACS’s first five responders, he started on the front lines as a Behavioral Health Responder and worked his way into senior leadership through hard work, vision, and a genuine passion for helping others. Even now, he remains deeply connected to the field, mentoring staff, supporting responders, and ensuring his teams have what they need to succeed in difficult and often unseen work.
Beyond his role with ACS, Walter also dedicates time to mentoring youth through football, helping teach discipline, teamwork, and confidence while quietly supporting families with equipment, fundraising, and opportunities for kids to participate.
A native of Las Vegas, New Mexico, Walter brings more than a decade of experience in behavioral health, crisis response, and social services. His leadership continues to make Albuquerque safer, more compassionate, and more connected, impacting not only the people he serves directly, but the entire community around him.
Eulalio O. Barros
Eulalio O. Barros was part of what many call America’s Greatest Generation, a proud New Mexican who answered the call to serve during World War II and endured hardships few can truly imagine. In December of 1944, during some of the fiercest fighting of the war in Europe, he was captured and became a prisoner of war in Germany. Despite the brutality and uncertainty of captivity, he survived and returned home with quiet strength and resilience that would define the rest of his life.
For his courage and sacrifice, Eulalio received eight military medals and honors, including the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal, recognition earned through extraordinary service to his country during one of the darkest chapters in world history. But like so many veterans of his generation, he carried those experiences with humility and chose to focus on building a life, a family, and a future back home in New Mexico.
After the war, Eulalio returned to Albuquerque, where he and his wife Stella raised four children and built a life rooted in faith, family, and community. He remained a lifelong New Mexico resident, representing the quiet toughness and perseverance that shaped an entire generation of Americans.
Though he passed away in October of 1991, his legacy continues through the family he raised and the example he set, one of sacrifice, courage, humility, and deep love for both his country and his home state of New Mexico. He is exactly the kind of American hero the 250 Flags initiative was created to honor.
Eder Ortiz
At East San Jose Elementary, Principal Eder Ortiz has one rule for teachers during the first two weeks of school: No teaching.
Instead, he asks teachers to get to know their students, going beyond their birthdays to find out how many brothers and sisters they have, who their parents are, and whether they live with grandparents or aunts.
“I want to know where they came from. I want to know what languages they speak. I want to know about their hobbies and interests,” Ortiz says. “Once you know all that then you can start developing lessons to meet the needs of those students.”
The approach may be unorthodox, but Ortiz says it’s helped fuel the academic growth East San Jose students achieved in short-cycle assessments.
Ortiz is a firm believer that before instruction can happen, “there has to be that sense of welcoming, that sense of care, that sense of love for our students and our community because once students and families feel as though you do care about them, then the engagement comes easily. The learning comes a lot easier because they feel that sense of belonging.”
Dr. Steven Komadina
Dr. Steven Komadina is a lifelong Native New Mexican whose impact on this state has been felt through medicine, public service, faith, and community leadership for decades. For nearly 50 years, he has served as an OB/GYN in New Mexico, delivering thousands of babies and caring for generations of families with compassion and dedication. Even while battling cancer and undergoing IV chemotherapy, he continues to see patients six days a week, a remarkable example of selfless service and perseverance.
Beyond medicine, Dr. Komadina has been deeply involved in New Mexico’s cultural and civic life. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta since the late 1980s, including serving as President in 1999. He is also the owner and former pilot of “The Stork,” one of the first special shape hot air balloons and a longtime Balloon Fiesta favorite.
An Eagle Scout and longtime Scoutmaster, he earned both the Silver Beaver and Silver Buffalo awards for his commitment to youth and community service. He has also volunteered through JustServe, faithfully served as a Bishop in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and represented New Mexicans as a State Senator.
At home, he and his wife have been married for 59 years, raising six children and building a family legacy that includes 21 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
Dr. Komadina embodies quiet strength, humility, and lifelong dedication to New Mexico and its people, exactly the kind of citizen the 250 Flags initiative was created to honor.
Jesse Moya
Jesse Moya is an English teacher at Los Lunas High School who has dedicated himself to helping shape the next generation of New Mexicans through education, mentorship, and genuine care for his students. While he teaches literature and communication skills in the classroom, his impact goes far beyond academics. Jesse works to develop critical thinking, confidence, and personal growth in the young people he serves, helping students learn how to analyze, communicate, and navigate the world around them. (llhs.llschools.net)
Known for being approachable, encouraging, and deeply invested in his students’ success, Jesse has also played an active role in student life and mentorship at Los Lunas High School. Whether supporting school activities, encouraging student involvement, or helping create a stronger school culture, he consistently goes beyond the basic expectations of the job because he genuinely cares about the community and the young people in it. (loslunas.ss13.sharpschool.com)
Teachers like Jesse Moya often do some of the most important work in a community without seeking recognition for it. Through patience, kindness, and daily commitment to his students, he continues helping shape future leaders, thinkers, and citizens across New Mexico.
Joe Singer aka “Hobo Hank”
Joe Singer, better known across New Mexico as “Hobo Hank,” has become one of Albuquerque’s most recognizable and authentic local personalities through his work in radio, music, entertainment, professional wrestling, and grassroots community involvement. Whether behind a microphone, inside a wrestling ring, or supporting local events, Hank has built a reputation for connecting with people in a way that feels genuine, raw, and deeply rooted in the community.
Over the years, he has used his platform to spotlight the people and stories that often go unnoticed, supporting local musicians, independent artists, small businesses, charitable causes, and neighborhood efforts long before it became popular to do so. His influence has never been about celebrity or attention, it has always been about lifting up the community around him.
In addition to radio and entertainment, Hank became a well-known figure in New Mexico’s independent wrestling scene, where his larger-than-life personality and connection with fans helped make him a local favorite. Much like his work outside the ring, wrestling became another way for him to entertain, connect with people, and contribute to Albuquerque’s unique culture.
Known for simply showing up when people need support, Hobo Hank represents the independent spirit that defines New Mexico itself, creative, loyal, gritty, and community-driven. His impact is measured not just by recognition, but by the countless local artists, causes, and everyday people he has encouraged and elevated throughout the years.
Rodney Prunty
Rodney Prunty serves as President and CEO of United Way of North Central New Mexico, leading one of the region’s most influential organizations dedicated to improving education, financial stability, and long-term community resilience. Through his leadership, United Way has continued to grow its reach and deepen its impact, helping connect thousands of New Mexicans with critical resources and opportunities.
Known for his collaborative and solutions-oriented approach, Rodney has worked to bring nonprofits, businesses, government agencies, and community leaders together around a shared mission, creating partnerships focused on lasting change instead of temporary fixes. Under his guidance, United Way has invested in programs designed to address the root causes of poverty and instability, helping families build stronger foundations for the future.
Rodney’s leadership style combines compassion with accountability, emphasizing measurable outcomes and real-world impact. Whether supporting early childhood education initiatives, workforce development programs, housing stability efforts, or emergency assistance services, his focus has remained on building systems that help people not just survive, but thrive.
In a state where many families face ongoing economic and social challenges, Rodney Prunty has become a steady force for progress and collaboration. His work continues to strengthen the safety net for New Mexicans while helping create sustainable pathways toward opportunity, stability, and hope for communities across the region.
Jimmy Harper
Jimmy Harper has been a steady and respected presence in the Albuquerque recovery community for many years, dedicating his life to helping people overcome addiction and reclaim their futures. Through his leadership and service within Narcotics Anonymous, he has mentored countless individuals struggling with substance abuse, often stepping in during the darkest moments of their lives when hope felt out of reach.
Known for his compassion, honesty, and consistency, Jimmy became the kind of person people could depend on. Whether it was answering a late-night phone call, guiding someone through recovery meetings, or simply listening without judgment, he showed up for people when they needed it most. For many, he wasn’t just a mentor, he was proof that change and redemption were possible.
Jimmy also spent years volunteering inside local jails and prisons, bringing recovery meetings, encouragement, and accountability directly to incarcerated individuals. While many people talk about second chances, Jimmy put in the work to help create them. He willingly walked into difficult environments to meet people where they were, offering guidance to those trying to break cycles of addiction, incarceration, and hopelessness.
His impact reaches far beyond meetings or programs. It lives in the people who found sobriety, the families that were reunited, and the lives rebuilt because someone chose not to give up on them. In a world where too many people battling addiction feel forgotten, Jimmy Harper has spent years reminding them they still matter.
Celina Trujillo
Cilena Trujillo is the founder and driving force behind the Jump In2 School Bash, one of Albuquerque’s largest and most impactful back-to-school events serving thousands of local families every year. What started as a deeply personal mission has grown into a major community movement focused on helping children begin the school year with dignity, confidence, and the tools they need to succeed.
Cilena’s passion for the work comes from lived experience. Having grown up in the foster care system herself, she understands firsthand what it feels like to start school without the basic supplies or support many children take for granted. Instead of allowing those experiences to define her negatively, she turned them into fuel to help others. She created the Jump In2 School Bash so kids across New Mexico could feel prepared, encouraged, and seen.
Under her leadership, the event has become far more than a school supply giveaway. It’s now a massive community collaboration that brings together local businesses, nonprofits, volunteers, educators, and community leaders, all working toward the same goal of supporting New Mexico families. Every year, thousands of backpacks, school supplies, shoes, haircuts, and resources are distributed to children who need them most.
But perhaps Cilena’s greatest impact is the message behind the event itself, that no child should feel left behind before the school year even begins. Through compassion, determination, and an unwavering commitment to her community, Cilena Trujillo has created something that continues to change lives across Albuquerque and beyond.
Miskee Blatner
Miskee Blatner is shaping the future of education through Educators Rising.
Inspired by the “amazing teachers” who impacted her life when she struggled to find her way as a young person, Blatner is passionate about cultivating the next generation of highly skilled and community-focused educators. The program guides young people from middle and high school through college and into teaching careers.
As the Education Professions Career Pathway and Work-based Learning Coordinator at APS’s Career Enrichment Center, Blatner champions career pathways. She recognizes the value of providing students with meaningful, hands-on experiences, regardless of a student’s chosen path.
Blatner, a dedicated educator with 27 years of experience, strongly believes that exposing students to the teaching profession in high school is crucial. Her education pathway students gain vital experience by visiting local schools, such as Reginald Chavez Elementary, where Principal Lynda Torres welcomes them to observe classrooms and work directly with younger students. Blatner calls the visits “powerful,” as students gain real experience that helps them decide if teaching is the right fit.
Colonel James M. Quick, USAF Retired
Colonel James M. Quick, USAF Retired, dedicated decades of his life to serving both his country and his community. Drafted during the Vietnam era, he chose to join the Air Force and became a fighter pilot, flying combat missions in Vietnam and later serving around the world in aircraft including the F-100 Super Sabre and F-4 Phantom. Over a military career spanning nearly three decades, he flew fighters, bombers, and trainers across active duty, the Air National Guard, and the Air Force Reserve.
Beyond the cockpit, Colonel Quick helped develop the Air Force’s Operational Risk Management program, a system still used to improve safety and performance. After retiring from military and civil service, he continued serving others by helping launch the New Mexico chapter of Folds of Honor, providing scholarships to the families of fallen or injured military members and first responders. Through his leadership, volunteerism, and lifelong commitment to service above self, Colonel Quick has left a lasting impact on both the nation and the people of New Mexico.
Dr, Nathan Roybal
Dr. Nathaniel Roybal is a proud New Mexican, nationally trained retina specialist, and founder of Retina Consultants of New Mexico who has dedicated his career to bringing world-class vision care back to the state that raised him. Born and raised in Mora, New Mexico, Dr. Roybal went from a ranch kid in rural New Mexico to becoming part of the first MD/PhD graduating class at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine before completing advanced retinal and surgical training at UCLA and the University of Iowa.
Rather than building his career elsewhere, Dr. Roybal made the deliberate choice to return home and help ensure New Mexicans could access cutting-edge retinal care without leaving the state. Today, he is widely respected for treating complex eye diseases, restoring and preserving vision, and expanding access to high-level specialty care throughout New Mexico.
Beyond patient care, Dr. Roybal has also become an important advocate for the future of healthcare in New Mexico. During the 2026 legislative session, he was instrumental in discussions surrounding medical malpractice reform and physician compacts, working to help address physician shortages and improve New Mexicans’ access to quality medical care. His leadership brought a physician’s perspective directly into critical policy conversations affecting the future of healthcare across the state.
Dr. Roybal represents the best of New Mexico, someone who achieved success at the highest levels, then chose to bring that expertise home to serve his community and improve the lives of others.
Dr, Nathan Roybal
Dr. Nathaniel Roybal is a proud New Mexican, nationally trained retina specialist, and founder of Retina Consultants of New Mexico who has dedicated his career to bringing world-class vision care back to the state that raised him. Born and raised in Mora, New Mexico, Dr. Roybal went from a ranch kid in rural New Mexico to becoming part of the first MD/PhD graduating class at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine before completing advanced retinal and surgical training at UCLA and the University of Iowa.
Rather than building his career elsewhere, Dr. Roybal made the deliberate choice to return home and help ensure New Mexicans could access cutting-edge retinal care without leaving the state. Today, he is widely respected for treating complex eye diseases, restoring and preserving vision, and expanding access to high-level specialty care throughout New Mexico.
Beyond patient care, Dr. Roybal has also become an important advocate for the future of healthcare in New Mexico. During the 2026 legislative session, he was instrumental in discussions surrounding medical malpractice reform and physician compacts, working to help address physician shortages and improve New Mexicans’ access to quality medical care. His leadership brought a physician’s perspective directly into critical policy conversations affecting the future of healthcare across the state.
Dr. Roybal represents the best of New Mexico, someone who achieved success at the highest levels, then chose to bring that expertise home to serve his community and improve the lives of others.
Zach Abeyta
Zach Abeyta has become one of Albuquerque’s most recognizable and respected local comedians, using humor to bring people together while helping grow New Mexico’s independent comedy scene. Known for his quick wit, relatable storytelling, and authentic connection with audiences, Zach has built a reputation as someone who represents Albuquerque honestly, flaws, charm, grit and all.
Beyond simply performing, Zach has helped create opportunities for other local comics and entertainers, supporting live events, collaborating with venues, and contributing to the growth of the city’s creative culture. In a profession that often requires resilience and relentless hustle, he has continued showing up for the community while helping carve out space for local talent to succeed.
What makes Zach stand out is that his comedy feels rooted in real life and real people. Whether on stage, supporting local causes, or helping promote community events, he brings an energy that connects people through laughter, something Albuquerque could always use more of.
Zach Abeyta represents the creative, hardworking, and independent spirit of New Mexico, proving that sometimes-making people laugh is also a meaningful form of community service.
