Posts Tagged ‘Memorial Medical Center’

Article courtesy of the Las Cruces Sun-News

By Brook Stockberger/Sun-News Business Editor

LAS CRUCES – Manufacturing is not dead. That was the message Davin Lopez, president and CEO of the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance, gave a breakfast audience at Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces on Thursday. MVEDA’s annual breakfast allows the private/public entity to give report for the recently completely fiscal year.

“It’s a tough time to talk about the economy,” Lopez said. “(And) we’ve been feeling it for the last couple of years.”

Still, the economic development group reports that lead development remains strong and there has been a “significant” jump in terms of manufacturing.

“Almost 45-percent of our leads are in manufacturing and logistics,” Lopez said. “We are hearing that heavy manufacturing is coming back to America.”

He pointed to the addition of Alaska Structures at the West Mesa Industrial Complex. The Anchorage-based company which makes shelters for the military as well as commercial customers, moved into a 184,000-square foot building that used to house Rea Magnet Wire, and also uses about 100,000 square feet at the previously empty building at 8500 Mountain Vista Parkway where Parkview Metal Products used to reside.

“If you think back 12 to 18 months ago, think of all those facilities sitting vacant,” Lopez said.  In fact, he said the Las Cruces area could use more spec buildings. “The biggest challenge we have going forward is we need more buildings,” Lopez said.

In addition, capital investment has jumped considerably in Dona Ana County, spurred by the recently begun Union Pacific Railroad project in Santa Teresa, but also ahead of the pace of the past several years even without Union Pacific.

New officers

Gary Lenzo with Century Bank is MVEDA’s chairman of the board as the new fiscal year begins, stepping in for Citizen’s Bank’s George Ruth, who will now serve as past chairman of the board.  ”I have some big shoes to fill,” Lenzo said.

In addition to Lenzo and Ruth, other officers include: Vice Chair Kiel Hoffman, Pioneer Bank; Secretary Dolores Connor, City Councilor; Treasurer Jim McGonnell, Memorial Medical Center; Executive Committee Member at Large Jack Darnall, Verde Realty.

Bryn Davis, New Mexico operations manager for Sapphire Energy and former past chairman of the board, was presented with a special award for all the work he has performed for MVEDA through the years.  ”I know I’m on the phone with him a lot,” Lenzo said.

Brook Stockberger can be reached at (575) 541-5457.

In its monthly board meeting of October 21, 2009, the MVEDA Board of Directorsadded two new board members.  Kendall Wallin, Business Banking Manager with Wells Fargo Bank, was elected to fill the unexpired term of Jim Easley. Easley is in the process of relocating to Albuquerque to assume another position with Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo Bank is a Platinum MVEDA Partner.

Gilbert Apodaca, President of the Hispano Chamber of Commerce de Las Cruces, replaces Rachel Garcia-Banegas as the Chamber’s representative to the MVEDA Board.  Apodaca is the Administrative Director for Memorial Medical Center.  Memorial Medical Center is also a Platinum MVEDA Partner.

MVEDA is governed by a board of directors representing both the private and public sectors. Institutional members represent the City of Las Cruces, Dona Ana County, New Mexico State University, Dona Ana Community College, the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce, the Hispano Chamber of Commerce de Las Cruces, and White Sands Missile Range. Private sector board members represent a wide diversity of business and industry. They serve 3-year terms and are elected by the board.

According to an article in the Las Cruces Bulletin, Bill and Renee Cupit, owners of Blue Horse Development,  were recognized by the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico as the “Philanthropist of the Year” at an awards ceremony on April 30. Bill and Renee committed a percentage of their home sales to the Community Foundation and helped establish an endowment for the Bridge of Southern New Mexico.

At the awards ceremony, the Health Care Foundation of Southern New Mexico presented two annual awards.  Karen Bailey, Senior Vice President of First Community Bank, was the recipient of the Mountain Funds Award for her service to the Board of Directors.  Paul Herzog, CEO of Memorial Medical Center,  was honored with the Salud Award which recognizes someone in the community who has done much to improve health in the community.

The Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance (MVEDA) and Memorial Medical Center, our event sponsor, are pleased to invite you to a Regional Economic Development Forum to be held at the Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces on May 15, 2009.

This year’s forum will focus on creating high-wage jobs in industries that have a high potential nationally.  It will enable you to become more familiar with some of these growing industries that are not significantly prominent in the local economy.

MVEDA has invited three national site selection consultants who will be touring  the area before the event. They will discuss the area’s advantages as well as some of the obstacles to continued economic growth of high-tech firms.

The speakers will include Dana Olson, President & CEO of ECODEV in Bloomington, Minnesota; Michael Harbert, President & CEO of New Mexico Studios; Jack Allston, Principal of JBA & Associates and Senior Consultant for the New Mexico Partnership; and Clark Krause, President & CEO of the New Mexico Partnership.

Due to space constraints, pre-registration is required.  The last day to register is Friday, May 8th. A registration form is attached.