Hobbs, NM – The JF Maddox Foundation launched its sixth cohort of the Maddox Leadership Institute. Thirty-five community members were chosen to participate in the nine-month community leadership development program.
“At our core, the JF Maddox Foundation has always been a champion of education and that extends to the professional development and leadership skills learned in our Maddox Leadership Institute,” said Mayra Lovas, Vice President – Grants and Maddox Leadership Institute director. “We are excited to welcome a new class of leaders to our MLI program this year and look forward to what they will accomplish in our community.”
The Maddox Leadership Institute is an evidence-informed program that builds individual knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy in aspiring community leaders. Participants in the program will learn the skills to become effective and action-oriented leaders and focus on concepts such as understanding leadership and Lea County, effective communication, presentation skills, managing conflict, cultural sensitivity, multi-generational issues, and more. The cohort will meet monthly from August 2024 to April 2025.
The Maddox Leadership Institute strives to be inclusive of all Lea County residents who are passionate, dedicated, and committed to making an impact in their communities.
Graduates of the Maddox Leadership Institute have taken on leadership roles like fire chief at the City of Hobbs, superintendent at Hobbs Municipal Schools, executive director of United Way, and CASA.
The program is facilitated by faculty from the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, a unit of Public Service and Outreach at the University of Georgia. The J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development is dedicated to strengthening communities, organizations, and individuals through leadership development, training, and education and strives to develop leaders of all ages, in every community, from all walks of life.
2024 – 2025 Maddox Leadership Institute Participants
| Name | Occupation/Employer |
| Alison Poortman | URENCO
VP Market Development & Technical Sales |
| Anjelica Sparenberg | Child & Family Services Inc. of Lea County
Fiscal Coordinator |
| Armando Ramos | Cowboy Junction Church
Youth & Young Adults Pastor |
| Byron Marshall | Maverick Natural Resources
HSE Consultant |
| Carey Lindner | Eunice Public Schools
Elementary School Principal |
| Cari Combs | Century 21
Afterschool Program |
| Christina Daniels | Covenant Health Hospital |
| Chris Henry | City of Hobbs Fire Department
Training Chief |
| Devon Fite | State of New Mexico
Family Assistance Analyst 1 |
| Erica Pacheco | Pettigrew & Associates, P.A.
HR Manager |
| Gage Radcliffe | Servepro
Owner |
| Geni Cavanaugh | Hobbs Municipal Schools
Director of Communications & Community Relations |
| Jerry Corral | City of Eunice
Finance Director |
| Anthony Baeza | Leavell Insurance Inc.
Insurance Producer |
| Isabella Saenz | Tatum Chamber of Commerce
CEO & Founder |
| Janell Taylor | Permian Basin Counseling & Guidance
Regional Director |
| Jeremy Soria | Hobbs Municipal Schools
Athletic Director |
| John Paul Henderson | Farmers Insurance
Owner & Agent |
| Jose Mares | Hobbs Municipal Schools
Director of Career Technical Education |
| Judy Williams – Goodwin | Ingram Professional Services, Inc.
Director of Safety Operations |
| Katie Espinosa Newton | Mewbourne Oil Company
Right of Way Agent |
| Kendall Embry | DelPerm Oilfield Specialties
Warehouse & Delivery Driver |
| Matthew Blandin | City of Hobbs
Assistant IT Director |
| Mayte Holguin | Self Employed |
| Mike Hendon | Boys & Girls Club of Hobbs
Executive Director |
| Michael Nelson | City of Hobbs Fire Dept & Sunbird Home Resort Products |
| Monique Galindo | Nor Lea Hospital District
Accounting Manager |
| Mystica Maldonado | City of Hobbs
Lead Judicial Specialist |
| Nathan Medellin | BMB Rentals LLC
Co-Owner & Operator |
| Paige Ramirez | Nor Lea Hospital District
Director of Clinics |
| Sergio Polanco | Hispano Chamber of Commerce
President & CEO |
| Shelby Teeter | Option Inc.
Information Systems Manager |
| Tabatha Coffey | Whitley Penn
Tax Partner |
| Tonya Heiser | State of NM Department of Workforce Solutions & NM Works TANF Program
Career Consultant |
| Bill Brown | New Mexico Junior College
VP for Institutional Research, Planning and Effectiveness |
For more information about the program, please contact Mayra Lovas, JF Maddox Foundation Vice President of Grants, at 575-393-6338 ext. 140 or mlovas@jfmaddox.org or visit our www.jfmaddox.org.
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The JF Maddox Foundation is a family foundation in Lea County, New Mexico. Alongside its partners, the foundation invests in education, social services, and community development for a greater quality of life for Lea County residents. For more information on the JF Maddox Foundation, visit www.jfmaddox.org.
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