Regional Champions
Over the years, the Northwest NM Council of Governments has honored Regional Champions at its Annual Luncheon.
Regional champions are individuals who have resided with purpose to make the region better.
They understand the COG's bottom line values:
Regional champions are individuals who have resided with purpose to make the region better.
They understand the COG's bottom line values:
- What benefits one community makes another community better and the region stronger;
- Together we can build a brighter future than going it alone faster;
- Thinking regionally, and acting locally.,. and also thinking locally and acting regionally.
- We are stronger together in cooperation than the sum of our parts in competition.
The first award was bestowed on Ron Morsbach in 2005.
It was not awarded again until 2010 until the retirement of long-time Executive Director Patty Lundstrom. After that it became a highlight of the Annual Luncheon and the COG Board selected a Regional Champion from each County area and sometimes a partner from an outside agency. In 2019, it was bestowed to Jeff Kiely after his retirement as Executive Director in April 2019. In 2020, the late Dr. Senator John Pinto was also honored as the sole Regional Champion. In the wake of COVID-19, the COG postponed its Annual Luncheon but felt that Senator John Pinto's spirit was important during those turbulent times. Submit a nomination today! |
Previous Honorees
Cibola County
|
McKinley County
|
San Juan County
|
"Friend of the COG"
At-Large / Outside Partner |
Warren Mathers
Joe Murrieta
Eddie Michael
Paul Milan
W. Ken Martinez
Laura Jaramillo
Martha Garica
|
Louie Bonaguidi
Jackson Gibson
Royce Gchachu
Bill Lee
Billy Moore
Richard Bowman
Larry Winn
Doug Decker
|
Dr. Senator John Pinto