From left, Leadership New Mexico Chair Tony Atkinson, Program Director Jenny Lewis, Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities Manager John Arrowsmith and LNM Curriculum Committee Chair Jim Haynes at the LNM graduation ceremony June 15 in Taos. Photo by Sharon Stover/Cell Phone

Leadership New Mexico

Los Alamos Deprtment of Public Utilities Manager John Arrowsmith is one of 38 members of the Leadership New Mexico class of 2011-2012 gathered June 13-15 in Taos for its final session and graduation ceremony.

Leadership New Mexico is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), tax-exempt organization founded to identify current and emerging leaders throughout New Mexico, enhance their leadership skills and deepen their knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing the state.

Leadership New Mexico’s Core Program is 10 months in duration and its 16th class will begin in September.

Core Program sessions are designed to address current issues facing the state.

Each program session features speakers who are acknowledged leaders in their specific fields, while program participants actively engage in discussion and debate.

The process offers an opportunity for inquiry, analysis and development of solutions to the most pressing issues facing New Mexico communities and the state.

Core Program sessions are held in communities all over the state in order to expose participants to the different regions of New Mexico and the local issues important to each region.

In addition, program participants experience the unique culture of each community, weaving for themselves a broad-based and comprehensive understanding of the challenges facing a state with many cultures and geographic diversity.

Each program year includes a two-day retreat and orientation, followed by educational sessions on topics such as:

• Health and Human Services
• Economic Development
• Education
• Environment and Natural Resources
• Government, Crime and Justice, Leadership

The Core Program is open to all citizens of the state. Leadership New Mexico selects a class each year of 40-45 leaders who represent a cross-section of the various geographic regions of the state from the public, private and nonprofit sectors.

Special consideration is given to ensure diversity of race, gender and occupational background.

Participants are selected using the following criteria:

• Commitment, motivation and interest in serving New Mexico.
• History and demonstrated voluntary leadership in community activities.
• Record of accomplishments within his or her company or organization.
• Interest in seeking future key volunteer and/or appointed leadership roles.
• An occupational commitment to remain in the state.
• Commitment to play a personal role in helping to shape New Mexico´s future.

Tuition for the Core Program is $3,500 with a limited number of scholarships available.