Board of Directors

District 1

Rick has represented District 1 since 2023 and is a lifelong resident of the area. His family has deep roots in New Mexico, with generations who have proudly served and supported their local communities. Mr. Anaya is a local businessman with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of New Mexico. He is the CEO of JRA Cuervo Mountain RV Park and Horse Hotel. Throughout his career, Rick has held several executive leadership roles, including Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Fluor Corporation and Aker Kvaerner. He also served as President of Intellectual Capital, LLC, a staffing and recruiting firm.

He has been active in community service as well, previously serving as a member of Kiwanis from 1987 to 1990.

Kenneth Lujan
505-384-0169

District 2

Kenneth is a lifelong New Mexican, he resides in Torreon with his wife of twenty-four years. Together, they have four children and four grandchildren. Mr. Lujan works for the USDA Natural Resources and Conservation Service and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Agricultural Education.

He has a long history of community involvement, including serving multiple years on both the Torrance County Fair Board and the Estancia School Board. In addition, he has been actively involved in youth agricultural programs, supporting Estancia FFA students in judging livestock and meat.

Joseph Vicente III
505-799-2801

District 3

Joseph has represented District 3, serving the Vaughn-Encino area, since 2016. A lifelong resident of Vaughn, he owns and operates the Vicente Ranch where he resides with this wife Barbara and their two children Olive and Little Joe.

Mr. Vicente attended the New Mexico Military Institute before earning a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Technology from the University of Arizona .

He is also part owner in many energy, technology, and agricultural businesses.

Wayne Connell
505-847-2737

District 4

Wayne was born in Gran Quivera and has served on the Board of Trustees since 1991. He and his wife, Melody, are lifelong residents of the Mountainair community.

Mr. Connell graduated from Mountainair High School and attended Eastern New Mexico University.

He also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, and Federated Insurance.

Santos Tapia
505-717-9306

District 5

Santos was elected to the Board of Trustees in April of 2019. A lifelong resident of Moriarty, he and his wife, Leanne, have two children.

Mr. Tapia is a graduate of Moriarty High School and attended New Mexico Highlands University. Both he and his wife have served our community through years of service at his restaurant in Moriarty- Shorty's Barbecue

He also serves as Chairman of Enchantment Legacy, a non-profit organization providing home services to the disabled and elderly members of our community, and is the president of the Moriarty Lion's Club.

Lisa Gardner
505-384-5424

District 6

Lisa was elected to the Board of Trustees in 2018. A lifelong resident of the Estancia Valley, she and her husband, Bill, have three sons and three grandchildren. Together, they own and operate Manzano Angus Ranch.

Mrs. Gardner is a graduate of Estancia High School and holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business and Economics from New Mexico State University. She retired from Estancia Municipal Schools after 18 years of service as an academic advisor.

She has been actively involved with the Torrance County Fair Board, as well as local 4-H and FAA programs. In addition, she is an active member of her local church, where she serves on the budget committee.

Duane Frost
505-849-4950

District 7

Duane has represented District 7 since 1999. A New Mexico native, he and his wife, Shelly, have two children and four grandchildren.

Mr. Frost has been the ranch manager for the Surratt Ranch near Claunch for 23 years.

He also serves on the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau State Board of Directors and is the Vice President of the Farm Bureau of Lincoln County. In addition, he is actively involved with the Board of Directors of the Claunch Community Church. .

Bill King
505-220-9909

District 8

Bill has served on the Board of Trustees since 2013 and is a lifelong resident of Moriarty, and is the proud father of three children and grandfather of six.

Mr. King graduated from Moriarty High School, went on to attend New Mexico State University, and has dedicated his life to farming and ranching

He is also the Secretary of the Edgewood Soil and Water Conservation District, and serves on the Executive Committee of the National Cattlemen's Beef Board. In addition, he is a former President of the New Mexico Cattle Grower's Association.