Governor Lujan Grisham Names 11 Veterans Advisory Council

The Guardian
The monthly newsletter of the New Mexico Dept. of Veterans Services July, 2023
•www.nmdvs.org •phone: (505) 827-6300 •nmdvs.info@dvs.nm.gov (email) •Facebook: NMDVSHealthcare2015 •Instagram: newmexicoveterans •Twitter: @NMDVS
Governor Lujan Grisham Names 11 Veterans Advisory Council
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed an executive order creating the Governor’s Veterans Advisory Council.
The 11-member council will be attached to the New Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS). It is tasked with working with DVS to support the needs of veterans in New Mexico, review existing policies, and consulting with the state’s veteran community to make sure that every veteran and their family receives the resources they are owed from their military service.
“There are 143,000 veterans in New Mexico, and it is our duty to create a system centered around their needs once they return home or retire from service,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham. “Making sure that veterans’ voices are included and heard means better outcomes for our veterans and their families. Whether that’s access to health care, housing, or other benefits, we can do so much more to help the veteran community live more healthy, productive lives. I want to thank these 11 men and women for saying ‘yes’ to helping me advance our work to make New Mexico the best state for veterans.”
“There is infinite power when a group of people with similar interests, experiences and backgrounds work together toward the same goals,” said DVS Cabinet Secretary Donnie Quintana. “This advisory board represents a broad spectrum of individuals that should provide invaluable input regarding the many issues and opportunities facing New Mexico’s veteran community.”
“As a disabled Vietnam War veteran suffering from exposure to the Agent Orange herbicide, I want to make sure the state is providing the best possible care and service to New Mexico’s veterans,” said Council Chair Sam Trujillo. “We owe them that, and I am looking forward to serving on this council to serve my fellow veterans.”
The eleven members of the veterans advisory council are listed on the following pages.
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Member

Sam Trujillo (Chair)
Served from 1963-1967 in the U.S. Navy, including from 1965-67 off the coast of Vietnam, before completing his service at the rank of petty officer/3rd class.
Tina Archuleta (Vice Chair)
Served from 1990-2017 in the New Mexico Air National Guard, retiring as a senior master sergeant. She currently works for the city of Albuquerque.
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Chad Autry
A self-employed civilian/non-veteran, Chad is the son of a retired U.S. Army Vietnam War veteran who served from 1968-1988. His father was on the last helicopter out of Vietnam in 1975.
Reginald Clark
Served in the United States Air Force from 1980-1988, and in the New Mexico Air National Guard from 1988-2022, retiring from service as a colonel. In retirement he has been actively involved with the Tuskegee Airmen of New Mexico, which is part of the national veterans’ service organization named in honor of the famed all-Black WWII airmen.
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Jason Gonzales
Served two tours with the New Mexico Army National Guard, from 1990- 1997 and then from 2000-2005, including a tour in Iraq, before completing his service at the rank of sergeant. Jason is currently a member of the Questa City Council.
William Griego
Served in the New Mexico Army National Guard from 1986-2019 before retiring as a command sergeant major. He remains active in several volunteer community and veterans’ causes.
Fred Lujan
David LaCour
Served 11 year in the U.S. Army, including tours of duty in Iraq and Afghani- stan, completing his service at the rank of sergeant. He is currently a fire- fighter with the city of Albuquerque.
The former United States Marine Corps lance corporal served in Vietnam from 1961-1965. He is currently the commander of the Pueblo of Isleta Veterans’ Association.

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Gilbert Platero
Served in the U.S. Army from 1982-1989, including being stationed in South Korea. He finished his service at the rank of corporal. Mr. Platero is an ac- tive member of the Eastern Navajo Nation Veterans’ Advisory Council.
Chris Sedillo
Served in the United States Navy from 1981-2007, deploying to the Persian Gulf and Iraq, before retiring as a senior chief petty officer. While in retire- ment he has been an active member of American Legion Post 13, where he is a member of the post’s honor guard that renders military honors at the funerals of veterans.
Shirley Tetreault
Member of the Gold Star Mothers of New Mexico—the mother of the late U.S. Marine Corps Sr. Master Sgt. Allen Tetreault. She is active with the Gold Star Mothers that assists parents of fallen active service members.

DVS July Benefits Outreach Schedule
DVS veterans’ service officers are scheduled to make veterans benefits outreach stops in July at the locations listed below. Veterans or their eligible dependents can drop by to get information about or help with filing VA claims, applying for state veterans benefits, or assistance with any other issues a veteran needs help with. Please bring a copy
of your DD-214, which is necessary for filing all veterans’
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Date
Jul. 18 Jul. 19 Jul. 19 Jul. 19 Jul. 19 Jul. 20 Jul. 24 Jul. 25 Jul. 26 Aug. 3
Location
Grants-American Legion Post 80 Grants/VFW Post 3221
Ft. Bayard Medical Center Lobby Santa Rosa/Guadalupe Co. Vet Ctr. Las Cruces-VFW Post 10124 Artesia-United Veterans Hall Albuquerque-VA Hospital Lobby Las Cruces City Hall
Deming Senior Center Capitan Public Library
address
121 Third St.
1408 Johnson St.
41 Fort Bayard Road 720 Lake Drive
709 South Valley Dr. 402 West Hermosa St. 1501 San Pedro Drive SE 700 North Main St.
800 South Granite St. 101 East 2nd Street
time
6pm-9pm 6pm-9pm 11:30am 10am-3pm 9am-10:30am 9am-3:30om 8am-4pm 11am-noon 10am-12:30pm 10am-3pm
As a reminder, veterans or their eligible dependents can always make an appointment with any VSO at any of the 16 DVS field offices for in-office or virtual assistance. Please go to the last two pages of this newsletter for office locations and VSO contact information.
Upcoming PACT Act Informational Town Hall Meetings
The New Mexico VA Health Care System, the Albuquerque VA Regional Office, and DVS will be presenting the following PACT Act information town hall meetings in July. Veterans, family members, and service provide agency representatives are encouraged to attend and learn about the new law which opens up VA health care for veterans who think they have developed health issues due to exposure to toxic materials during their service.
Taos Pueblo
Santa Clara Pueblo Trinidad (CO) Pueblo (CO)
July 19 10a July 19 2pm July 26 10am July 28 10am
Taos Pueblo Heritage Center Santa Clara Pueblo Senior Center Mt. Carmel Wellness Center
La Plata County Fairgrounds

DVS VSO Finds Stuffed Bank Deposit Bag; Returns
it to Owner
June 22 is a day DVS Veterans’ Service Officer (VSO) Ronn Saavedra and his wife Kathy will never forget….yet always be proud of.
As the longtime-married couple were leaving their favorite Albuquerque restaurant after a leisurely lunch, they spotted a large bag just as they were about to drive away from the parking area.
Saavedra, who had worked for many years in retail prior to coming to DVS earlier this year, immediately recognized it was a bank deposit bag.
“No way—it can’t be,” he remembered thinking as his wife picked up the
bag off the pavement. Once inside their vehicle, the couple was stunned
after opening up the bag and finding “nicely packeted $100s…50s….20s…
all the way down to 1s,” he said. “I figured it was easily over fifty-thousand dollars—probably way more than fifty, based on my previous retail experience.”
They returned to the restaurant—only to find that it had closed for the weekend, and that everyone had gone home. He promised his wife he would go back first thing Monday (June 24) and check with the owner-whom he’d gotten to know a little bit due to his frequent stops for lunch.
That Monday morning Saavedra swung by the restaurant before reporting for work at the DVS Albuquerque office. He found the owner, and asked: “Hi (the owner’s name). Are you missing something? I may have found something of yours.”
Saavedra said the owner’s eyes lit up—and the owner started shaking as Saavedra handed over the bag—assuring the owner “Don’t worry—nothing’s missing. it’s all there.”
The owner told Saavedra a restaurant employee—a close family friend–had advertently placed the bag on top of his/her car that Saturday…intending to make a bank deposit of the restaurant’s weeks worth of sales. That employee—who had recently suffered a personal tragedy—then drove off to the bank, forgetting about the bag atop the car…which obviously fell onto the parking lot. The employee became frantic upon arriving at the bank and not finding the bank bag….and became even more despondent over the weekend.
Saavedra refused multiple offers of a cash reward, free lunches, and even a free catered event.
“I just did what I thought….really, what I KNEW…was the right thing to do,” said Saavedra, an Air Force veteran. “I’m just glad everything worked out for that employee and the restaurant owner. Besides—Kathy and I really like that place a lot!”
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Ronn Saavedra
DVS Albuquerque VSO

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DVS Welcomes Author of Book About
Family’s Search for Homeless Iraq
Veteran Son With PTSD
DVS Cabinet Secretary Donnie Quintana welcomed author Patrick Smithwick to the Collected Works Bookstore and Coffeehouse Tuesday evening (July 11). Smithwick read several passages from his book “War’s Over, Come Home: A Father’s Search for His Son, Two-Tour Marine Veteran of the Iraq War.”
The book is a powerfully emotional account of an ongoing search for Smithwick’s son Andrew, a Marine from 2004-2009, who is now homeless and
wandering the country. He developed a severe case of PTSD from the effects of what Patrick calls “his two tours of hellish duty in Iraq.”
“It’s been said that the military does a great job turning a civilian into a warrior,” said Secretary Quintana during his introduction of Smithwick. “But the military fails to turn many of these
warriors back into a civilian once his or her service is finished. This is something that Andrew and his family have come to find out all too well.”
The Smithwick family desperately wants to find Andrew and get him the treatment he needs— either through VA or non-traditional therapies.
Secretary Quintana presented Patrick Smithwick with a DVS Challenge Coin (bottom photos)— telling him to “give this to Andrew, when you find him and bring him home.”

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Excerpts read aloud from “War’s Over, Come Home: A Father’s Search for His Son, Two-Tour Marine Veteran of the Iraq War.”
One time Patrick did find Andrew somewhere in Texas:
Andrew was not afraid of fights. He would fight anyone—including me.
“I oughtta hit you. I oughtta knock the sh*t out of
you, but I’m not going to,” he told me.
We stared into each other’s eyes. He was just inches away. I hold my ground.
“ANDREW! You’re not a Marine at war anymore! You’re a CIVILIAN. It’s time to realize that violence is not the answer.”
He turned, and just walked away. It would be awhile before we heard about or from him again.
Another time they found him…this time shirtless, and working on a construction site.
“Andrew. I’ve got to get back to your mother.” “There it is…your tattoo! D. E., your grandmother…and her death date!”
What would’ve happened? Would he have broken down? In a movie, there would have been flashbacks showing his close relationship with his grandmother. That would be the one thing…the catalyst…that would break him. He would give up…and throw his arms around me, and come home.
(VOICE BREAKS) But here, on this sidewalk…in this desolate area…I see his pronounced ribs…he sets his hardhat on his head.
“This is it, Andrew!” I plead with him. “Stop playing these games!”
“I don’t know you,” he said. He then walks away from me, towards the construction site far in the
distance.
_______________________
Patrick Smithwick, during a post-reading Q&A session:
“I hope that he can come back into society…and to contribute. He was an excellent horsemen. I’m from a very “horsey” family. (VOICE BREAKS) My father and uncle are both in the racing Hall of Fame. Andrew really loved his uncle Mikey. He worked for him after he finished with the Marines for about a year—it was really great for him.”
“I’ll be perfectly honest. Sometimes you meet people, and they just say to give up. That…disturbs me. We’re not going to give up. I remain optimistic.“

Reserved Parking Spots For Veterans Visiting the
DVS Santa Fe and Albuquerque Offices
There are now reserved parking spaces for veterans or their eligible dependents visiting the DVS offices in Santa Fe and Albuquerque.
In Santa Fe (above photo), there is a clearly marked reserved space on the south side of the Bataan Memorial Building, which houses the office of the cabinet secretary, the DVS administrative ser- vices division—and the state benefits division, which processes veterans’ license plates, disabled veteran hunting/fishing discounted licenses and state parks/museum passes, the state veterans property tax exemption, and 100% service-connected disabled property tax waivers.
At the DVS Albuquerque office at 4801 Indian School Road NE/Building 2, there are four clearly marked reserved parking spaces for veterans who stop by to visit the four Albuquerque-based veterans’ service officers (VSOs), the DVS Women Veterans’ Program manager, the Health Care Coordination Division, the state approving agency, or the Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC).
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Two Women Veteran Art Exhibits Now On Display in Santa Fe
DVS is proud to announce two new art exhibits now on display at the Bataan Memorial Building in downtown Santa Fe that honor women veterans.
(Top two photos) The “Proudly She Served” national art exhibit is now on display in the east-west hallway of the venerable building. Artist Steve Alpert has painted twelve 36”x30” oil portraits showcasing women veterans who have demonstrated courage, strength, and selfless service for our country.
(Bottom two photos) A second separate exhibit in the same hallway, courtesy of the Santa Fe Community College Veterans Legacy Grant Program, features six unique women veterans interred at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.
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Twenty-Five Northern New Mexico Veterans Return From “2023 Honor Flight” to Washington, D.C. Twenty-five veterans from New Mexico, along with their chaperones, returned to the Albuquerque International Sunport on June 22 from a special two-day trip to Washington, D.C.
This all-expenses-paid trip was courtesy of the Honor Flight of Northern New Mexico Foundation, which is part of the national non-profit Honor Flight Network.
These annual free honor flights bring veterans to visit the national war monuments in our nation’s capital that are dedicated to their war era of service. The trip also includes a visit to the Arlington National Cemetery. Priority is given to veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and any veteran suffering from a terminal medical condition.
DVS Pueblos & Tribal Liaison Beverly Charley was among the chaperones who paid out-of-pocket to chaperone the veterans.
“It was an honor, and an extremely emotional one, for me to finally be a part of this special yearly event, said Charley, who chaperoned U.S. Air Force and Vietnam War veteran Bill Strabo (both in right photo). “It could’ve been tiring, but we all felt energized by seeing those beautiful monuments and the national cemetery. It’s a trip I’ll never forget.”
DVS videotaped the hero’s welcome the group—two WWII veterans, seven Korean War, one Cold War, and 15 Korean War veterans–received upon 2023 Northern New Mexico Honor Flight on June 22. DVS was there at the Albuquerque International to capture the hero’s welcome received by the returning group…and produced this short video showing the highlights.

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A FREE conference for veteran-owned business owners… …and veterans and transitioning active-duty service members who are thinking of starting their own business.
More information to follow in the coming months…

Veterans Community Bulletin Board
The following page(s) feature event and informational flyers provided to DVS by veterans and community service agencies. These flyers are published for the convenience of New Mexico’s veteran community. Inclusion in The Guardian does not constitute an endorsement by DVS of the organization, content, products, or services contained therein.
DVS invites government agencies and non-profit service organizations to send flyers for publication in The Guardian announcing an upcoming or ongoing veteran-related event. DVS will run these flyers as a public service courtesy to the veteran community.
Please note:
• Flyers must have the name of a point-of-contact from the organization…along with the contact’s phone number or email address. Flyers without this information will not be published.
• DVS is not responsible for the accuracy of the content, products, or services in these flyers.
• Views expressed in these flyers are the independent views of the authors/owners of the
third-party entity that created the flyer—and does not necessarily reflect the views of DVS.
• To the maximum extent permitted by law, DVS expressly denies liability for any and all losses suffered by any persons or organizations who, in their independent discretion and reliance, either directly or indirectly rely on content, products, services or information offered by these independent third-party organizations.
• DVS reserves the right to edit or decline to publish any flyer.
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(more on next page)

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News from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
VA Creates Equity Team to Ensure Fair Dis-
tribution of Benefits
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has created an agency equity team to ensure that VA delivers on its promise to provide world-class care and benefits to all veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors — regardless of their age, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, disability, or sexual identity.
The Agency Equity Team, known as the I*DEA (inclusion, diversity, equity, and access) Council, will be responsible for helping VA improve outcomes for historically underserved veterans, identifying and eliminating any disparities in VA health care and benefits, creating and implementing a VA Equity Action Plan, listening to and learning from historically underserved veteran communities, and more.
The council will also work to eliminate disparities and barriers to recruit, hire, develop, promote, and retain employees, including those from historically underserved communities. The council will report directly to VA’s deputy secretary.
VA also announced that it has created a new Equity Assurance Office within the Veterans Benefits Administration. This office will work in coordination with the I*DEA Council to eliminate any dis- parities in the delivery of earned benefits to veterans, including disability benefits, housing bene- fits, GI Bill® benefits, and much more.
VA is standing up the I*DEA Council and the VBA Equity Assurance Office as a part of its mission to provide world-class care and benefits to all veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. These efforts are also a part of executing President Biden’s executive orders on advancing racial equity and support for underserved communities.
“At VA, it’s our mission to serve all veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors as well as they’ve served our country,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “This new Agency Equity Team will help us deliver on that promise, making sure that we provide every veteran with the world- class care and benefits they deserve — no matter their age, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, disa- bility, or sexual identity. The team’s first order of business will be identifying any disparities in VA health care and benefits and eliminating them.” (continued on next page)
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The new I*DEA Council is an evolution of VA’s I*DEA Sub-Council, which Secretary McDonough established in 2021 to embed inclusion, diversity, equity and access into all VA activities.
The new action-oriented council will be comprised of senior leaders from across VA, including leaders from the Veterans Health Administration, the Veterans Benefits Administration, the National Cemetery Administration, the Center for Women Veterans, the Center for Minority Veterans, and other parts of VA.
The Council will be empowered to make decisions across VA to ensure equitable outcomes for veterans, and it will work directly with historically underserved veteran communities, as well as veterans’ service organizations, congressional partners, union partners, and others.
The Veterans Benefits Banking
Program: What Is It???
Remember those days when you had to wait for your check to be handed out at your job, or for it to be delivered via the mail? If so, you know it was a long, cumbersome process that many of us are glad we no longer must deal with.
Well, thanks to the establishment of VA’s Veterans Benefits
Banking Program (VBBP), more than 250,000 veterans and
their beneficiaries have joined VBBP and no longer have to wait. The program was established in 2019 to create bank accounts, convert paper checks to direct deposit, and allow recipients to receive their benefits payments through electronic funds transfers (EFT) quickly and safely.
VBBP benefits also now apply to VA-approved caregivers in addition to veterans and their beneficiaries. In fact, VA recently updated its mission statement to include caregivers: “To fulfill President Lincoln’s promise to care for those who have served in our nation’s military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors.”
There are 71 financial institutions participating in VBBP—this includes 17 banks and 54 credit unions. VA started VBBP with the nonprofit Association of Military Banks of America (AMBA), helping connect veterans with participating banks or credit unions that understand your financial needs. AMBA continues to recruit new financial institutions at a record pace, and their collaboration with VA keeps VBBP growing.
Free credit counseling from the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and
free financial counseling through the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education® (AFCPE®) are also available through VBBP. These counselors work with veterans, beneficiaries, caregivers and family members to develop customized plans to meet their unique goals and needs. (continued on next page)
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VA mailed letters about the free counseling to nearly 2.5 million veterans and beneficiaries between August 2022 and May 2023 to spread the word.
The program also sponsors VetCenters, a financial education program that covers topics like budgeting, and is specifically designed for veterans and their families. The Veterans Saves program was also created to help veterans build financial resilience, save, plan and budget for the future.
For more information
VBBP helps veterans take an important step toward protecting their VA benefits. If you, or someone you know, are eligible for VA benefits and would like to learn more about VBBP, please visit the Veterans Banking website or VA’s banking information website.
VA Partners With Arthritis Foundation to
Increase Arthritis Awareness
In collaboration with VA, the Arthritis Foundation created a new webpage filled with information and resources to help Veterans take control of arthritis symptoms and challenges.
Arthritis affects approximately 1-in-4 adults and is the primary cause of disability in the U.S. A 2013 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) study found that veterans are more likely to develop arthritis than non-veterans.
Physical injuries and exposure to occupational hazards during service puts veterans at a heightened risk for developing arthritis. Arthritis causes pain, stiffness, swelling, tenderness and reduced range of motion in joints which can make routine tasks challenging. For veterans already coping with obstacles such as post-traumatic stress, dealing with the effects of arthritis is challenging.
VA resources to help Veterans with arthritis
VA is committed to supporting veterans with arthritis and helping them maintain a high quality of life. VA offers various resources, including ongoing research and information on drug-free strategies to relieve pain.
VA’s online patient portal My HealtheVet provides articles, self-assessment tools and helpful tips on how to manage arthritis. The Veterans Health Library provides veterans and their families with up-to-date health information and tools on arthritis, including videos about the different types of arthritis and pain management resources. Veterans can also contact local VA health care facilities to learn more about new therapies that may be available.
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Partnering to improve the lives of Veterans with arthritis
In 2021, VA’s National Center for Healthcare Ad- vancement and Partnerships (HAP) partnered with the Arthritis Foundation (AF) to help veter- ans living with arthritis. The partnership is dedi- cated to expanding access to care, education and support services with a focus on helping veterans effectively manage pain, symptoms and other challenges.
The Live Yes! Connect Groups provide support, education, robust programming, expert speakers and camaraderie so veterans and service members with arthritis can connect and meet others who understand their challenges.
The Find Your Workout page offers podcasts, webinars and programs with safe and effective workouts for veterans with arthritis.
The pain management trackers help Veterans proactively track their symptoms and record de- tails for their next doctor’s appointment.
The partnership has produced or collaborated on the creation of two webinars specifically for veterans: “Arthritis in the Military: Getting the Best Possible Care” and “Navigating Arthritis for Veterans in Agriculture.”
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phone or email assistance to any veteran in New Mexico.
Alamogordo/Southeast NM
David Henley
411 10th Street #107 (575) 937-5620 david.henley@dvs.nm.gov
Albuquerque Metro Area
Hope Fryer
Pinetree Business Park/Bldg. 2 4801 Indian School Rd. NE/2nd flr
(505) 383-2400
hope.najera@dvs.nm.gov
Carlsbad/Southeast NM
Dagmar Youngberg
Albuquerque Metro Area
May Chavez (ABQ metro supervisor) Pinetree Business Park/Bldg. 2
4801 Indian School Rd. NE/2nd floor
(505) 383-2400
helen.chavez@dvs.nm.gov
Albuquerque Metro Area
Ronn Saavedra
Pinetree Business Park/Bldg. 2 4801 Indian School Rd. NE/2nd flr
(505) 383-2400
ronald.saavedra@dvs.nm.gov
Clovis/Southeast NM
Matt Barela (SE region supervisor) 904 W. Sixth St.
(575) 825-9602
Albuquerque Metro Area
Austin Walker
Pinetree Business Park/Bldg. 2 4801 Indian School Rd. NE/2nd floor (505) 383-2400 hope.najera@dvs.nm.gov
Belen/Albuquerque Metro Area
Rob Miller
Belen Business Center 719 South Main. St.
(505) 537-9339
rob.miller@dvs.nm.gov
Clovis/Southeast NM
Ben Padilla
904 W. Sixth St.
(505) 537-1445 ben.padilla@dvs.nm.gov
Gallup/Northwest NM
John Livingston
908 E. Buena Vista Ave/Room 1A (505) 389-8731
john.livingston@dvs.nm.gov
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DVS Field Offices in New Mexico
DVS has field offices throughout the state that are staffed with nationally accredited veterans service officers who are dedicated to helping veterans with filing VA claims, applying for state veterans benefits, or with helping with anything else a veteran or their family needs with.
Office hours are Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm, (excluding holidays).
Though this service is free, appointments are required and can be made by contacting the VSOs below. Please note: in addition to in-office assistance, VSOs can offer
101 N. Halagueno
(575) 988-5900
dagmar.youngberg@dvs.nm.gov matthew.barela@dvs.nm.gov
Farmington/Northwest NM
Farmington/Northwest NM
Robert Guinn (region supervisor) Candice Pioche-Zunie
San Juan College Vet Center/ Room 1715-B
(505) 327-2861
robert.guinn@dvs.nm.gov
San Juan College Vet Center Room 1715-B
(505) 916-4835
candice.pioche@dvs.nm.gov
(more offices are on the next page)

Grants/Northwest NM
April Ball
551 Washington Ave. (505) 521-8132 april.ball@dvs.nm.gov
Las Cruces/Southwest NM
Vincent Tellez
2024 E. Griggs Ave. (505) 216-8782
vincent.tellez@dvs.nm.gov
Las Vegas/Northeast NM
Jimmy Saiz
917 Douglas Ave. (505) TBD
jimmy.saiz@dvs.nm.gov
Santa Fe/Northwest NM
Nick McKenzie
Bataan Memorial Bldg. 1st Floor/ Room 134/407 Galisteo St
(505) 218-3125
nicholas.mckenzie@dvs.nm.gov
Women Veterans Program
Theresa Figueroa
Pinetree Business Park
4801 Indian School Rd. NE/2nd floor
(505) 372-9106
theresa.figueroa@dvs.nm.gov
Hobbs/Southeast NM
Fred Solis-Littlejohn
2120 North Alto St.
(575) 241-0714 fred.solis-little@dvs.nm.gov
Las Cruces/Southwest NM
Clint Anderson
2024 E. Griggs Ave. (505) 216-8782
clint.anderson@dvs.nm.gov
Rio Rancho/Northwest NM
Dustin Newsom
Sandoval County Admin. Bldg. 1500 Idalia Rd./Bldg. D, Room 2041
(505) 221-7190
dustin.newsom@dvs.nm.gov
Silver City/Southwest NM
Clarissa Sierra
Western New Mexico University Juan Chacon Bldg./Rm. 138A
1000 West College Ave. (575) 313-5627 clarissa.sierra@dvs.nm.gov
Pueblos/Tribal Liaison
Beverly Charley
San Juan College Veterans Center 4601 College Blvd./Room 1715-B
(575) 241-3322
beverly.charley@dvs.nm.gov
Las Cruces/Southwest NM
Miguel Martinez (supervisor) 2024 E. Griggs Ave.
(505) 216-8782 miguel.martinez@dvs.nm.gov
Las Vegas, NM/Northeast NM
Arturo Marlow (supervisor)
917 Douglas Ave.
(505) 331-8838
arturo.marlow@dvs.nm.gov
Roswell/Southeast NM
Danielle Thompson
1600 SE Main Street /Suite 2A (575) 416-2284
danielle.thompson@dvs.nm.gov
Taos/Northwest NM
Leticia “Lety” Cano
Health & Human Service Bldg. 145 Roy Rd.
(505) 709-5263
leticia.cano@dvs.nm.gov
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