Archive for May, 2009

Tom Hutchinson, owner of La Posta de Mesilla, is the recipient of the Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau‘s “2009 Visitor Industry Recognition Award” for his service and contributions to the local tourism industry.

Tom is the Chairman of the Board of Citizens Bank of Las Cruces, and is past Chairman of the Board for MVEDA and the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce.

Tom and his wife, Jerean, have owned La Posta since 1996. They contribute to a wide variety of community organizations and their hospitality and support of MVEDA and other community organizations is greatly appreciated.

Spaceport America announced that the first annual Education Launch was successful in spite of not reaching the maximum altitude.  The student-designed scientific experiments were carried aloft on a UP Aerospace SpaceLoft XL rocket.  Students from New Mexico State University, Dona Ana Community College and area high schools designed and built the experiments. The New Mexico Space Grant Consortium pitched in $85,000 to pay for the students’ payload space, while the New Mexico Spaceport Authority paid for the launch services component.

An on-line video of the launch is available on the Spaceport America website and related news stories are available in the Las Cruces Sun-News Spaceport News on-line edition.

MountainView Regional Medical Center announced that veteran health care executive Jim Geist has been appointed Chief Executive Officer.

Geist has a successful track record in hospital operations, finance, development and expansion of services in hospitals of similar size to MountainView. Most recently, he was Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Havasu Regional Medical Center in Lake Havasu City, Ariz., where he led a $10 million renovation and expansion project and reinstated an open-heart program with a new outpatient cardiac rehab program.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to join the very talented, dedicated employees and medical staff at MountainView,” Geist said. “I look forward to building on the team’s accomplishments and being a part of many future successes as well as an integral part of the Las Cruces community.”

Geist has also served as Chief Financial Officer for hospitals in West Virginia, Kentucky and Georgia. He has a Master’s Degree in Health Service Administration from Trinity University in San Antonio and is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

The New Mexico Economic Development’s Office of Mexican Affairs, the North American Institute, the City of Juarez, the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance, the New Mexico Small Business Development Network, Western New Mexico University, and the International Business Accelerator have joined together to co-host the “2009 NAFTA Institute/Supplier Meet the Buyer Conference,” which will take place on June 11 and 12, 2009 at the Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino in Sunland Park, New Mexico.

This unique event combines the activities of the “NAFTA Institute” and the “Supplier Meet the Buyer Trade B2B sessions.” The conference is designed for business people interested in selling their products to the North American market, importing products from Mexico and/or becoming a supplier to Mexico’s maquiladora industry. The organizers of the conference will match potential Mexican buyers/sellers with participants in private business-to-business sessions. Anybody interested in learning the mechanics of doing business with Mexico or Canada will also benefit from the NAFTA Institute sessions. During the event, topical experts will be discussing the various aspects of conducting cross-border business.

The event will begin with B2B sessions on June 11, followed by dinner and live entertainment that evening. On June 12, various experts will give presentations on cross-border trade topics.

The cost to participate in this event is $79, which includes meals, materials and entry to all sessions. A special rate of $49 will be charged to companies only wishing to participate in the business-to-business sessions.

Interested parties are urged to sign up quickly, as space is limited. Special hotel rates for conference participants have been arranged with area hotels. A limited amount of scholarships providing special pricing for this event are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information please click here. If you have questions or would like specific information, please contact the International Business Accelerator at 575-589-2200 or at info@nmiba.com.