Northern’s Governing Board
NNMC’s Board of Regents is composed of five members who are appointed by the Governor of New Mexico with the consent of the New Mexico Senate, for terms of six years except for the student regent who is appointed for a two-year term. Pursuant to the New Mexico Constitution, the Board acts is responsible for the control and management of the College. This responsibility includes fiduciary responsibility for the College and establishment of the policies of the College to guide its function and management. The Board vests responsibility for the operation and management of the College in the President.
Board of Regents
CHAIR, MICHAEL A. MARTIN
Term: 1.01.23 – 12.31.28
michael.martin@nnmc.edu
Michael was raised on the family ranch in El Rito. He is a graduate of Mesa Vista
High School, 1976, and obtained a Bachelor's degree in Farm and Ranch Management from
New Mexico State University in 1980.
He raises hay in El Rito.
VICE-CHAIR, ERICA RITA VELARDE, PE
Term: 3.2019 – 12.31.24
erica.velarde@nnmc.edu
Erica Rita Velarde is a mother of three, grandmother of two and a first-generation college graduate. She was the first woman in her family to attend and graduate college. Born and raised in Santa Fe, Erica has a rich love and passion for her people, culture, and community of Northern New Mexico. She is a NM licensed Professional Engineer, receiving her BS in Mechanical Engineering from UNM, and an AA in Business Administration from Northern New Mexico College. She currently works for JCI, Sustainable Infrastructure. Prior to 2020 she worked for the state of NM as the statewide Energy Engineer. She has served on various boards and advisory groups, both locally and nationally. Erica credits NNMC for guiding her and giving her the skills and confidence to create a successful career.
SECRETARY/TREASURER, RUBEN ARCHULETA
Term: 03.26.2021 – 12.31.2026
ruben.archuleta@nnmc.edu
Ruben Archuleta was born and raised in Española, NM. He attended Española Valley High School and later Northern New Mexico College where he graduated with a degree in Radiological Sciences. He is the supervisor of the Radiology Department at Española Hospital and has been employed there for 26 years. He is also currently serving as the Vice President of the Española Public Schools Board of Education. Archuleta also serves as the President Elect for the National Hispanic Council of School Board Members and as a Board Member for the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO). Archuleta resides in Alcalde, NM with his wife and two children.
MEMBER, DOLORES GURULE
TERM: 03.01. 2025 -
dolores.gurule@nnmc.edu
Dolores Gurule is a lifelong resident of Ojo Sarco, New Mexico. She is currently studying Information Engineering Technology at Northern New Mexico College. Dolores has served Northern New Mexico College in various capacities, including four terms on the Student Senate, and two of those terms as President of the Student Senate. Dolores has a passion for advocating for students at Northern, and for youth in the local communities surrounding the Española Valley. Dolores’ professional career includes working in banking for several years, and most recently for Los Alamos National Laboratory. Her volunteer activities include volunteering at her local community center, place of worship, and for her local water association. She has served as Vice-President of the Board of Directors for Ojo Sarco Community Center, Board Member of the Del Norte LOV Foundation Board of Directors, Secretary for the Ojo Sarco MDWCA, and as a Volunteer Fire Fighter for the Ojo Sarco Volunteer Fire Department.
MEMBER, RON LOVATO
TERM: 03.01. 2025 -
ron.lovato@nnmc.edu
Ron is a lifelong resident of Ohkay Owingeh and the Espanola Valley. Ron grew up in Ohkay Owingeh and graduated from Espanola Valley High School. After High School Ron attended New Mexico State University and then a graduate program at the University of Illinois Champaign – Urbana. Ron is married to his wife of 35 years Diana and they have 4 sons. Ron began his professional career at Santa Fe Indian School where he worked in a multitude of capacities. It was during the last 7 years of his 16-year tenure there that he became involved with the school’s development office and found a real passion for business and the development of business for Pueblo communities.
In 2003 Ron became the Chief Executive Officer of Tsay Corporation, a tribally owned development corporation wholly owned by Ohkay Owingeh. Tsay Corporation is the holding company for all Ohkay Owingeh business interest including Real Estate, Gas/Retail, Gaming and Federal Contracting. Under Ron’s leadership Tsay restructured its debt and embarked upon a mission to diversify their business holdings, with the primary objective being to reduce the reliance on gaming and expand beyond the demographic constraints of the Espanola Valley.
The result was the birth of Tsay Construction & Services, LLC. (“TC&S”), a construction and maintenance company focused on providing services to Los Alamos National Laboratory. Today TC&S is but one of a family of companies called Tsay Federal Contracting Group (“TFCG”). A group of Tribally owned companies and joint ventures providing an array of services in the federal contracting industry. More significantly today the TFCG of companies comprise approximately 78% of Tsay’s revenue.
Ron is a member of the Ohkay Owingeh Tribe and has served as the Tribes leader (Governor) in 2011-2012 and again in 2019-2020. Ron has served on a multitude of Boards including Santa Fe Indian School, Albuquerque Indian School District, PRC Nominating Committee, Jemez Mountain electric Cooperative Board of Trustee, Indian Pueblo Cultural center/Indian Pueblos Marketing, and New Mexico Finance Authority.