CHAIRPERSON Kelly O'Donnell
Superintendent, New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Santa Fe
Previously the deputy director of the Economic Development Department, O'Donnell holds a PhD in Economics, and is adept at managing public policy issues and the political process. As a former tax policy director for the State of New Mexico, she has extensive experience in state government, and is highly dedicated to Spaceport America. O'Donnell has experience in recruiting businesses and industry to the state, fostering tax incentives to help New Mexico businesses, and has worked on many successful business development programs. She is also a former interim director of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority.

Diane Denish (ex officio)
New Mexico Lt. Governor, Santa Fe
Diane D. Denish is a strong leader with a proven record of results for the people of New Mexico. During her time in office she has fought to improve education, increase access to health care, crack down on criminals who endanger children, and create more economic opportunities for New Mexicans--especially those living in rural areas. Diane is the first woman to be elected Lt. Governor in New Mexico. A lifelong New Mexican, Diane was raised in Hobbs and has lived throughout the state.

Toots Green
Alamogordo
Toots Green is a former State of New Mexico Representative and retired CEO of LOCO Credit Union. She is also a past member of the New Mexico Republican Party Central Committee and a past chair of the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce. A community activist in her hometown of Alamogordo, Green is also active in P.E.O. International, a philanthropic organization supporting higher education for women.

Jerry Hanks (representing Lt. Governor Denish)
Science Advisor, Santa Fe
Jerry Hanks is originally from Los Alamos and resides in Santa Fe. He is a decorated Marine Corps officer having retired after 21 years. Jerry was a Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff and Manager at Sandia National Laboratories for over 22 years, and then served as New Mexico Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish's Science and Technology Advisor for two-plus years. Education includes an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering and graduate degrees in electrical engineering and computer science. Current endeavors include screenwriting and film production.

Richard Holdridge
Deming
Rick Holdridge serves District 3 on the Luna County Commission. He served in the U.S.Air Force for 22 years where he worked in the development, launch, and operation of satellites.

William Loomis
Elephant Butte
Trained as a mechanical engineer, William Loomis is an expert in heavy construction, including highways. In particular, he is knowledgeable about earthwork, drainage, utilities, storm water protection, erosion control, bridges, and paving. Loomis holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering from New Mexico State University and was the Vice President of Loomis Construction for 16 years. He is a past president of Associated General Contractors.

Jim Manatt
Roswell
Jim Manatt is founder, Chairman & CEO of Providence Technologies, Inc. and Focus Energy Corporation of Roswell, New Mexico. Providence is New Mexico’s only seismic service company, founded in 1994. Focus Energy is an advanced energy exploration venture for strategic volumes of bypassed hydrocarbons in producing fields. Manatt serves on the Board of Directors of New Mexico First, New Mexico State University’s Arrowhead Center, and First National Bank of Roswell. Manatt was formerly President of the NMSU Board of Regents and a founding director of Mesilla Valley Bank in Las Cruces. Current interests include energy exploration in the Republic of India, Texas, and New Mexico, and advanced research and development with Sandia National Laboratories in the area of direct hydrocarbon indicators. He is a graduate of NMSU and a former U.S. Army officer.

Brent Westmoreland
Las Cruces
Brent was born to Forrest and Joyce Westmoreland on November 23, 1956, along with his twin sister, Renee. He has been a life-long resident of Las Cruces. Brent has two grown daughters and one grandson. A 1975 Graduate of Mayfield High School, Las Cruces, NM Civil Engineering Technology–New Mexico State University Public service appointment to the New Mexico Spaceport Authority, Chairman on the Dona Ana County Planning and Zoning Commission, 2005-Current–Reappointed to the Dona Ana County Planning and Zoning Commission, 1994-1995 – Interim Dona Ana County Manager, 1992-1994 – Chairman of the Dona Ana County Utility Advisory Committee, 1990-1995 – Served on the Dona Ana County Planning and Zoning Commission, 1981-1984 – Served in the New Mexico House of Representatives, Youngest elected State Representative – District 33(2 consecutive terms) Over twenty years construction experience including experience in field quality control, estimating, project management and scheduling. For the past fifteen years, Brent has owned and operated Westmoreland Deep Plowing, which has since become a Texas and New Mexico Corporation and is now ZTEX Construction, Inc. Hobbies include restoring old trucks, collecting old cars, traveling and being in good company. Brent is an active member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles

Benjamin E. Woods
Las Cruces
Benjamin Woods is Senior Vice President for Planning, Physical Resources, and University Relations for New Mexico State University. His current position is responsible for institutional planning, information, and communications technology, and other matters impacting NMSU. In addition, he oversees numerous service functions such as police, parking, fire, safety and emergency response, transportation, and university flight operations. Woods holds a degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M and an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic. He retired from the Air Force National Guard in 1995..