Beverley Simpson

While she is most recently known for her efforts coordinating mitigation efforts and evacuation plans of the Cerro Pelado Fire, she enhances the issue of addressing public safety on a daily basis with a broad definition.

Simpson started her job in 2015 and works with many County departments on educating disaster preparedness, response and recovery. Additional responsibilities include homeland security, terrorism preparedness and collaborating with many community agencies. This network of preparedness helps to protect those who live, work and visit this community. 

One of the greatest feats during the last 30 months has been during the COVID-19 pandemic. Simpson coordinated with several agencies to establish and continue utilization of vaccine clinics in Los Alamos County. She ensured that not only vaccine, but the necessary testing was available for the community. She worked tirelessly with local, state and federal agencies and programs, to obtain supplies necessary for safe practices.

Simpson also is a colonel in the New Mexico National Guard. She has served as director of Joint Plans and Programs (HQ NMANG/A5) to ensure NMANG readiness and participation in Homeland Response and Disaster Relief exercises and activations since 2020. Colonel Simpson has commanded the men and women of the 150th Medical Group since October 2017. Over her 25-year military career, she also has served in several senior staff and Officer-in-Charge roles for the National Guard, US Indo-Pacific Command, US Northern Command, Air Combat Command and Air Force Special Operations Command.  In these important roles, she supported major events and incidents worldwide, including the 2002 Olympics and the Global Ebola Response.

Laura Crucet

LLA alumni also selects a leader from the community that has not yet been through the program. This year that award winner is Chef Laura Crucet of the Pig + Pig Café. Crucet was nominated for her ability to pivot in a once in a lifetime pandemic. Those with boots on the ground had to change in many ways. They had to roll with the punches and think of new ways to do similar things.

Crucet took her business to the people in a whole new way. She began with a whole new version of her lunch boxes; made them interesting and put a whole new spin on fast food. It was fast but made with love and quality. She shared her love of food with the people, and her community showed her the love right back.

Community leaders, staff and customers were able to watch in real time as the business was able to navigate the changes under Crucet. She continued to win awards, accomplish goals, take care of her staff and not only succeed, but thrive in the pandemic. She shared her success with her staff and the community.

Crucet is the leader that cooks the food, works the front line, washes dishes and mops the floor. She loves not only her employees, but her customers, too. She genuinely cares and it shows in everything she does, each and every day of the week.

Crucet decided to pivot in a pandemic and turn what could have been lemons, into a handmade lemon tart, with a dollop of whipped cream, and some pig-on-pig action on the side. Crucet didn’t just survive; she thrived and made her business grow. While many businesses complained, she led the way with a dash of class, a pinch of panache and a skosh of sass.

Laura Crucet’s nomination started with a visit by the Pig and Fig Mascot to celebrate the White Rock Senior Center’s birthday in 2021. Photo by Bernadette Lauritzen