Board of Regents

Mike Cheney
Chair

Mike Cheney is the Market President of WestStar Bank in Las Cruces. He has worked in the banking industry for more than 25 years in various positions beginning with his first job in the mail room of a local bank in Hobbs, NM and holding positions as a loan officer, branch manager and Regional President in several communities throughout New Mexico.  Cheney, who was born and raised in Hobbs, New Mexico, received a bachelor's degree in finance from NMSU in 1985 and has attended the Western States School of Banking and Norwest College of Credit.  Cheney has served as Chairman of the annual United Way Campaign for San Juan County, on the NMSU College of Business Advisory Council, member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the NMSU Board of Regents among many other areas of community involvement.  He is a member of the New Mexico Amigos, counts his wife and daughter as fellow Aggies and is proud of his son, who attends Las Cruces High. 

Term Expires December 31, 2016 

Javier Gonzales
Vice Chair

Javier Gonzales has 15 years experience as a leader in a broad range of projects in the public and private arenas.  Mr. Gonzales has been effective in leading the local government business development efforts of a global 500 management consulting company, leading a historic university, and leading a national organization that represents more than 3,000 counties nationwide.  Marked by his ability to lead complex organizations and develop new coalitions for progress on a variety of issues, Javier Gonzales' private sector experience combined with his successful tenure as a nationally recognized elected government official has provided him with unique expertise and knowledge of the local government business and regulatory environment.

Term Expires December 31, 2014

Ike Pino
Secretary/Treasurer

Mr. Pino serves the City of Santa Fe as Director of both the Department of Public Works and the Community Services Department.  He has been a registered professional engineer in New Mexico since 1978 and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from New Mexico State University, class of 1974.  His professional affiliations include serving as a current member of the Century Bank Board of Directors and a member with the Academy for CAGE, NMSU.  His community service has included serving as Vice President of the Foundation for the Academy for Technology and the Classics Charter High School and has included serving as Chairman of the Santa Fe Economic Development Inc. Board of Directors, President of the Santa Fe Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors, and member of the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.  He has also led fundraising efforts for a number of private and public schools in Santa Fe.

Term Expires December 31, 2014

Kari Mitchell Member

Kari Mitchell is the CEO and owner of Las Cruces Machine, Mfg. & Engineering and serves on the executive committee of the Bridge of Southern New Mexico. Mitchell is a member of NMSU’s Town-Gown Commission, which aims to strengthen ties between the university and the community. She is past chair of the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance and was a founding board member of the New Mexico Economic Development Partnership. She holds an MBA from the University of Houston-Clear Lake as well as a bachelor’s in marketing and management from Adams State College.

Term Expires December 31, 2018

Jordan Banegas Member

Jordan is a fourth year Marketing and Psychology student at NMSU and the son of Lawrence and Pancha Banegas. Jordan grew up in Las Cruces where he attended Mesilla Valley Christian Schools graduating in  2009. On campus, Jordan has been involved with the Finance Club, Reformed University Fellowship, Kappa Sigma Fraternity and most recently served as the ASNMSU Governmental Affairs Assistant Director where he Advocated on behalf of students at local and State Government levels. Outside of School, Jordan has staffed local political campaigns and today works part-time in the human resources department at Kohl's Department Stores. After college Jordan plans on working political campaigns and eventually do political consulting here in New Mexico.

Term expires December 31, 2014