Fred Mondragón (NMSA Chairman)
New Mexico Economic Development Cabinet Secretary
Fred Mondragón was appointed chairman of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) and brings over 35 years of visionary leadership to his post. A native of New Mexico, Mondragón was confirmed Secretary of the New Mexico Economic Development Department in February of 2008. Mr. Mondragón attended the University of New Mexico where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, with a minor in English Literature. He continued his graduate level education at George Washington University, where he received a MBA in Healthcare Administration.

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.

D. Kent Evans
Las Cruces
As a member of the Apollo Space Program support team from 1966 to 1975, and a past executive board member of the Southwest Space Task Force, D. Kent Evans brings practical experience to the NMSA. He has more than 36 years of experience in the fields of human resources and public relations, and a long career of volunteerism and public service. He served as a Doña Ana County Commissioner for eight years, where he was involved on a daily basis in policy making, constituent responsiveness and stewardship of public dollars. Evans holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Miami.

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.

Gary Whitehead
Truth or Consequences
A successful businessman and community leader with life-long ties to Sierra County, Gary Whitehead graduated from Hot Springs High School in T or C prior to earning his bachelor's degree in business administration. He has served as a Sierra County Commissioner in two separate terms, and is also a former Sierra County Manager. An advocate for prosperity and economic success for the area, Whitehead is focused on helping Spaceport America create a new commercial space industry in Southern New Mexico.

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..

Casey Luna
Belen
A familiar name in New Mexico politics and business circles, Casey Luna has a long history of public service throughout state. Luna has owned a successful series of automotive dealerships starting in 1970, and has been involved in several New Mexico communities, from the New Mexico State Fire Fighters Association and the Better Business Bureau of NM to serving on school boards, chambers of commerce and Rotary International. Casey Luna is a past New Mexico Lieutenant Governor and Torrance County Commissioner, and has been a member of both the Spaceport Commission and the Spaceport Authority over the last several years.