Board of Regents

Laura Conniff
Chair

Laura M. Conniff graduated with honors from New Mexico State University with a degree in Business Administration. She is a qualifying broker and co-owner of Mathers Realty Inc., and co-owner of Leveldale Farms and Conniff F Cross Farm. She currently serves on the Board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, El Paso Branch and is a member of the Board of Directors of the First American Bank.  She is a co-founder and co-chairman of "NMSU Aggies are Tough Enough to Wear Pink," a New Mexico Amigo, and a member of the executive committee of the Las Cruces Business and Economic Forum.

Term Expires December 31, 2012 

Ike Pino
Vice Chair

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 membership in the New Mexico Chapter of the American Public Works Association.  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

Christopher Dulany
Secretary/Treasurer

Christopher Dulany, serves as the student regent on the board.  He is a graduate student pursuing a master's degree in business with an amphasis in finance.  After receiving his bachelor's in finance from NMSU in 2005, he began working as a financial adviser for Edward Jones.  He is active in the Las Cruces Rotary Club and is a member of the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce.  As an undergraduate student at NMSU, he served as an Associated Students of NMSU senator for the College of Business.  He is a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity.  Christopher grew up in Los Alamos, New Mexico.

Term Expires December 31, 2012

Javier Gonzales
Member

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

Mike Cheney
Member

Mike Cheney is the Senior Vice President for Strategic Management Partners.  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 Chaiman of the annual United Way Campaign for San Juan County, on the NMSU College of Business Advisory Council and the Board of Directors of the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce among many other community organizations.  He is a member of the New Mexico Amigos and counts his wife and daughter as fellow Aggies.

Term Expires December 31, 2016