About EDC of Roswell-Chaves County
The EDC of Roswell-Chaves County, NM is focused and driven to meet the objectives of our mission to develop long-term, meaningful job opportunities for the citizens of Roswell & Chaves County. We assist our local businesses to obtain their respective growth objectives and recruit projects, which diversify and strengthen our regional economy.
Our Staff
Robert J. Donnell, Executive Director
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575-622-1975 Ext. 113
575-317-2089 Cell
Jessica Armendariz, Project Manager
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575-622-1975 ext. 118
575-317-3742 Cell
Our Board of Directors
- President, Mike McLeod, Xcel Energy
- 1st Vice-President, Marlin Wells, Wells & Associates
Marlin is a Financial Professional with AXA-Advisors; specializing in retirement solutions, business and estate planning, annuities, long term care and disability products. His dedication in assisting clients in reaching their financial goals and in providing service is Marlin’s passion. Marlin is motivated to help people retain and transfer their wealth; placing a premium on client relationships. He serves in several capacities which enhance the quality of living in our area, including the Economic Development Corp, Leadership Roswell and Bible study facilitator.
Married to Kathleen (also a Financial Professional), Marlin has two sons, Rich and his spouse, Amber and Greg and his spouse, Felicia. He is blessed with seven grandchildren.
- 2nd Vice-President, Lee Rogers, Atwood, Malone, Turner & Sabin, P.A.
Lee is an attorney and shareholder with Atwood, Malone Turner & Sabin, P.A.; specializing in litigation, primarily defense of lawsuits involving personal injury and wrongful death, medical malpractice, government liability, premises liability and commercial disputes. Lee received his Bachelor of Business Administration with Honors in '80 and Doctor of Jurisprudence in '83 from the University of Texas. He has stayed active in the community while serving on the Roswell City Council as well as the Mayor Pro-Tem and has served on several Board of Directors: United Way of Chaves County, Working Mothers Day Nursery and Roswell-Chaves County EDC.
- Secretary / Treasurer, Rod Schumacher, Roswell Regional Hospital
Mr. Schumacher was born in Dumas, Texas, and graduated from Midwestern State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1972. He then obtained a Master of Science Degree from Trinity University in San Antonio, in 1974, and a law degree from the University of Texas in Austin in 1979. Since that time, he has worked as an attorney in the law firm of Atwood, Malone, Turner & Sabin, in Roswell, New Mexico. His practice consists primarily of the defense of actions for professional liability, as well as commercial and oil and gas litigation.
He is a past president of the Chaves County Bar Association and a past president of the Health Law Section of the State Bar of New Mexico. He is licensed in both New Mexico and Texas, and currently serves as a vice president for the litigation section of the American Health Lawyers Association, and a member of the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management (ASHRM).
- Past President, Bill Owen, David Petroleum
Bill B. Owen, former Roswell Mayor, was born and raised in Roswell, New Mexico and graduated from Robert H. Goddard High School in 1971. In 1976 he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Law Enforcement from the University of Maryland while working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington D.C.
Mr. Owen is Vice President and Exploration Manager for David Petroleum Corp., an oil and gas exploration company in Southeastern New Mexico and West Texas. Mr. Owen has been with David Petroleum Corp. for 29 years and is a Certified Professional Landman.
- Mayor Del Jurney, City of Roswell
Mayor Del Jurney was born in southeast Kansas, but was transplanted to the Land of Enchantment within the first few years of his life. He has considered Roswell to be his home for the better part of the past 48 years. Del grew up in the Roswell school district, graduating from Goddard High School in 1975. From there he attended a small Methodist college, Baker University, from which he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1979.
Since his return to Roswell in 1983, he has gained a great deal of experience in the banking and real estate industries, prior to accepting his current position as Executive Director of Family Resource and Referral, Inc. Additionally, Del has served on numerous boards and commissions throughout his adult life. Mayor Jurney served the community on the planning and zoning commission for 13 years, and was a City Councilor, representing Ward I for just under five years.
- Chairman Greg Nibert,Chaves County
Gregory J. Nibert was born in Roswell, New Mexico on January 3, 1958. He and his wife, Carolyn, have two sons, Gregory, age 25, and Jeff, age 23. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of New Mexico in 1980 and received a Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, from Pepperdine University in 1983. He was Editor in Chief of the Pepperdine Law Review for 1982-83. He is a partner in Hinkle, Hensley, Shanor & Martin, L.L.P. and is a New Mexico Board of Legal Specialization recognized specialist in Oil and Gas Law. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America since 1993, Chambers USA America’s Leading Lawyers for Business since 2005, and Southwest Super Lawyers since 2007. He currently serves as President of the Chaves County Bar Association.
Mr. Nibert was elected to serve as a Chaves County Commissioner in 2006 and reelected in 2010, served on the Roswell Independent School District Board of Education, was Lt. Governor of the Southwest District of Kiwanis International, a Distinguished Past President of the Roswell Kiwanis Club, and Chairman of the Rio Hondo District of the Conquistador Council, Boy Scouts of America 1997-2003.
- Felipe Rodriguez, Roswell Hispano Chamber of Commerce
- David Duer, Roswell Chamber of Commerce
- Mark McClellan, McClellan Oil Corp.
- Bud Kunkel, Kunkel & Associates
Bud Kunkel, is the second generation owner of Kunkel & Associates, a Commercial Real Estate Appraisal firm providing services throughout southeastern New Mexico. Bud graduated from Dexter High School and is a graduate of New Mexico State University. He served six years as an Armor Officer, Ranger qualified, with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. and the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Germany. He is a member of the Appraisal Institute with the designation of SRA. He recently served as the first New Mexican to be elected to the National Board of Directors of the Appraisal Institute and was Chair of Region 8 (Texas and New Mexico). He and his wife Laura are members of Immanuel Lutheran Church and have made their home in Roswell for almost 25 years. Laura is the Senior Operations Engineer with Energy Transfer Partners.
- Pete Mayadag, Leprino Foods
Pete Mayadag is the Plant Manager in Roswell for Leprino Foods’ 600 employee mozzarella cheese factory. Prior to joining Leprino Foods in 2006, Pete worked for Frito Lay for 19 years managing operations in California, Hawaii, and Florida. His education includes a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from San Jose State University as well as extensive training in people systems and change management.
Pete and his wife Dana live in Roswell with their three school-aged children. They consider Roswell to be home and have enjoyed becoming an active part of the community.
- Danny Fulkerson, Fulkerson Services
- Kay Rogers, Roswell Livestock & Farm Supply
- Mayor Cliff Waide, Town of Hagerman
- Larry Jessen, Great Southwest Aviation
- Amy Muson, First American Bank
Born and raised in North Central Texas in a small town between Wichita Falls and Fort Worth, Amy graduated and moved to Lubbock, Texas, and attended Texas Tech University receiving her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Texas Tech University.
While at Texas Tech she met her husband, Justin Munson, who is from Hagerman, NM. They married and moved to Hagerman, in June 1999. She has been in the banking business for over 10 years in Roswell and is currently the President of First American Bank in Roswell.
Amy and Justin live in Hagerman with their 3-year old son, Grady and are expecting their second child in April. Justin is part owner of Munson Construction and also farms and raises cattle.
- John Ballard, Eastern NM Medical Center
- Rich Olson, Hinkle Law Firm
- Bill Davis, Prudential Enchanted Lands Realty
- Neil Roe, Pepper's Grill & Bar
Neil Roe, born and raised in Miami, graduated in 1975 from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance. Circa 1980, he relocated to Roswell to help establish his family’s business while building and opening The Clubhouse restaurant. Neil is currently the President and Chief Operating Officer of both United Continental New Mexico, Inc.—a land development company—and Peppers Grill & Bar, Inc. In 1991, Neil was named Restaurateur of the Year by the New Mexico Restaurant Association and American Express.
Neil graduated the Leadership Roswell in the program’s second year in existence. In face, he was a founding board member and past treasurer of the Leadership Roswell Alumni Association. Neil has generously volunteered his time to serve the community in various capacities over the past three decades. He is a past board member of the Chamber of Commerce and for the Retirement Service Division. He has served on the board of directors as both a member and President of the International UFO Museum & Research Center as well as having been Chairman of the Occupancy Tax Advisory Board. In recent years, he was asked to participate in the planning of the annual UFO festival as a member of the executive committee. Currently, Neil is a member of the Pecos Valley Rotary Club; vice-chair of the ETZ Commission; vice-president of Chaves County Crimestoppers; and a board member of both Buena Vida Improvement Association and the Roswell-Chaves County Economic Development Corporation.
Even with so much on his plate, Neil still finds the time to enjoy spending quality time with his wife & three children and indulging his passion for traveling whenever he can.
- Mayor David White, Town of Dexter
- Danny Armijo, II, New Mexico MEP
Danny L. Armijo II holds a BS degree in Business Management and in International Business. Danny is the Regional Director for New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership. New Mexico MEP is part of a national network which provides technical and business resources to manufacturers who are prepared to expand their capabilities and increase profitability. New Mexico MEP services include: Lean Manufacturing, Quality Systems, Supply Chain Management, Business Planning, and Technical Standards. New Mexico MEP delivers comprehensive solutions to help you strengthen your local and global competitiveness. New Mexico MEP is affiliated with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
- Mayor Ysidro Salazar, Town of Lake Arthur
- Charles Fischer, Roswell Daily Record
- Dr. John Madden, Eastern NM University-Roswell
- Maj. Gen. Jerry Grizzle, NM Military Institute
- Mike Gottlieb, Roswell Independent School District
- Carl Kallansrud, Small Business Development Center
- Diane Ventura, US Senator Jeff Bingaman
- Beverly Allen-Ananins, US Senator Tom Udall
- Zach Riley, US Congressman Steve Pearce
- Hubert Quintana, SENM Economic Development District
- Jennifer Brady, Roswell International Air Center
- Dorrie Faubus-McCarty, Roswell Chamber of Commerce
- Juan Oropesa, Roswell Hispano Chamber of Commerce