Kelly Stewart during an interview Monday afternoon at the Los Alamos County Municipal Building. She is retiring and her last day on the job is Wednesday, Aug. 9. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com
Los Alamos County Marketing Specialist Kelly Stewart has announced her retirement after serving 18 years. Her final day on the job is Wednesday, Aug. 9.
“I never expected to work in one place for 18 years, but I am grateful to many of my managers at Los Alamos County for providing new opportunities and challenges for a fulfilling career,” Stewart said. “I want to give a shout-out to those who have always had my back, make me laugh, and lift me up … my family, my squad, my penguin people, those individuals who impress, inspire me, and make me feel good about the world whenever I see you. THANK YOU! ”
During her career, Stewart served as the designated film liaison to the New Mexico Film Office, facilitating the filming of 30-plus features, series and documentaries.
She managed the contracts with Los Alamos Commerce & Development Corporation (LACDC) for MainStreet Services and Visitor Services, and with Sunny505 for Tourism Marketing Services. She served as Staff Liaison to the Lodgers’ Tax Advisory Board and the Tourism Implementation Task Force, assisted in the establishment and ongoing coordination of the Economic Vitality Action Team since 2010 and wrote the Economic Vitality Strategic Plan Update in 2018.
Stewart also managed the public information and involvement for the White Rock Master Plan Committee and with former Public Information Officer (PIO) Julie Habiger, managed the County’s branding initiatives.
“My greatest challenge has been establishing a tourism office as a defined, functioning part of the County. But I’ve done my best to provide leadership in this industry sector with the help of strong partners in the County’s PIO, at LACDC, our many attractions, expert contractors, as well as my relationships with the New Mexico Tourism Department and individual cities throughout the state,” Stewart said. “I’m happy to say we’ve been able to work together to take advantage of opportunities that have generated project funding and positive publicity for Los Alamos as a visitor destination.”
Stewart explained that building a network and bringing it together to collaborate on a positive, productive effort is what brings her the most joy—personally and professionally.
“I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished with Project Oppenheimer. Starting with just a dedicated few, we set out to leverage the power of Oppenheimer (The Movie. The Man. The Manhattan Project.) to educate and instill community pride in our history and establish Los Alamos as THE place where questioning, exploration, and understanding are valued and rewarded,” she said. “I’ve met so many people—within the community and from all over the country—who have reached out to join this effort. After 18 years of promoting all the things that make Los Alamos the best place to visit, live, and work, it’s this campaign that brought it home for me. #TEAMOPPIE #LoveLosAlamos #WhereDiscoveriesAreMade
Stewart served on the New Mexico Tourism Department’s North Central Region Marketing Board and was a member of the New Mexico Hospitality Association. She is a graduate of Leadership Los Alamos and has served on the Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation Board. Prior to joining the County, Stewart was a military “brat”, moving every 2-3 years between the east and west coasts of the United States, and the island of Oahu and graduating from Brussels American High School in Belgium.
She graduated from Iowa State University with a double major in Journalism and International Studies and moved to Washington, D.C., San Francisco, then Washington state where she worked with the public and private sectors, conducting marketing, advertising, public relations and community involvement campaigns. Stewart, her husband Grant, and their three children have called Los Alamos home since 2003. After a short stint as a marketing consultant for then RE/MAX realtor Suzie Havemann, Stewart was hired by Julie Habiger in January 2005 as a public relations specialist as part of the PIO/Communications and Public Relations Division of the County Manager’s Office (CMO). From there, she became the marketing coordinator supporting the CMO’s Economic Development marketing efforts, then the marketing specialist for the County’s Economic Development Division.
Colleagues, friends and family members expressed their esteem and best wishes for Stewart:
County Manager Steve Lynne: “It has been a pleasure working with Kelly over the years. She genuinely cares for her colleagues and the community, and her warm and friendly approach has undoubtedly positively impacted everyone she’s interacted with during her time here. We wish her the best.”
County Deputy Manager Linda Matteson: “I would like to personally thank Kelly Stewart for her service to the County and to our community. She was extremely involved in supporting the Oppenheimer filming and showcasing our beautiful community. Best wishes for this new chapter of your life, Kelly!”
County PIO Julie Williams-Hill: “Kelly’s optimism and fun-loving spirit are infectious. I am excited for her and I know that whatever comes next will be amazing.”
County Assistant PIO Leslie E. Bucklin: “Working with Kelly for the past 18 years has been a joy and honor. Kelly and I became fast friends when we first met and have become much more than simply coworkers over the years. Kelly brightens every room she enters and has an infectious smile and laugh. She creates buzz and energy and makes work fun. She truly has a gift for working with and connecting people. I have learned a lot from her. We have been through countless experiences together that I will never forget (how about those 2 a.m. nights on set in 3 degree weather!). Kelly and I share many passions, have watched our kids grow up together, have looked out for each other, and will remain friends forever. I dearly love her, and will miss her terribly in the work place.”
Bradbury Science Museum Director Linda T. Deck: “It’s been my pleasure and privilege to work with Kelly for the past 16 years! As liaison to the Lodgers’ Tax Advisory Board she provided insightful and strategic feedback to me as Chair, always with a positive attitude geared toward best results. She’s also just a lovely, energetic soul to be around! I’ll miss her representing the county.”
LACDC Executive Director Lauren McDaniel: “Kelly’s optimism and fun-loving spirit is infectious. In my role with Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation, Kelly has served as our contract liaison for Visitor Center Services as well as the MainStreet and Creative District program. I’ve known her for around seven years now, and I can wholeheartedly say that she is the true definition of a Los Alamos advocate. She’s offered unwavering support and unbridled enthusiasm for Los Alamos from every angle, from promoting our historical sites and cultural assets, our events, and our businesses not only to residents, visitors and media, but everyone captured in between. She exudes excitement and positivity when it concerns this community and our future opportunities, yet has always been willing to listen to new ideas for how we can adapt to changing needs and challenges. I’ve appreciated how she has authentically and relatably conveyed her experiences to others about what living and working in Los Alamos truly means to her. We have been so fortunate to have Kelly as a representative of our community all of these years and I wish her nothing but the best in the future.”
Chamber Director Ryn Herrmann: “Working with Kelly Stewart was always so fun it really shouldn’t have been called work! Kelly’s hard work, dedication and achievements for Los Alamos tourism and films may never be matched! Thank you Kelly! I look forward to many more adventures!”
Owner/Broker New Mexico Real Estate Group Suzette Fox: “From the moment I met Kelly in 2009, I knew we would be a great team. As the MainStreet Director at the time, we would work together on events for Los Alamos to provide economic development. Her dynamic personality, hard work ethic and going out of her way to make things happen propelled her to the height of professionalism and a great representative of the County. I could ALWAYS rely on her to get a job done with poise, efficiency and determination for the good of the community. Kelly will remain a forever friend. I wish her much happiness in her adventures ahead.”
Former County PIO Julie Habiger: “Kelly and I worked together at the outset of some exciting new challenges and initiatives at the County. For example, soon after Kelly was hired to work within the Public Information Office, we were tasked with setting up the Communications & Public Relations Division, bringing the KanDu Center online for enhanced customer service and then revamping the public outreach process for a variety of projects. After several years, when the County expanded into other areas, Kelly began aligning her workload more with CDD, but we still worked together often on initiatives such as marketing a commercial air service for Los Alamos, establishing a new brand for the County and other Council goals surrounding economic development – specifically with tourism and opportunities that were coming forward to Los Alamos within the New Mexico film industry. County fairs, Friday night concerts during the summer and events like ScienceFest would often find the two of us working side by side in the same County information booth – there were always more than a few laughs during those events about what was or wasn’t working out quite the way we had envisioned it, and yet somehow, we made things work out in the end and had fun while we were doing it! I wish Kelly all the best in her retirement, as she moves on to new adventures with her family and her new granddaughter!”
New Mexico Film Office Director Amber Dodson: “Kelly has been an invaluable asset to the film industry of New Mexico, and her contributions to the Los Alamos film community have been immense. She is well-known not only for her sunny, positive attitude, but also for her knowledge of the film industry and willingness to foster filmmaking in her community. She will be greatly missed and we wish her all the best in her retirement.”
Husband Grant Stewart: “Kelly has inexhaustible pride in Los Alamos and has relished her role supporting many films and events that feature its unique resources. The list is long. In retirement from LAC, she may still want to collaborate and be engaged.”
Son Ben Stewart: “Kelly Stewart is enthusiasm incarnate. An unstoppable WMD (Weapon of Mass Dynamism) singularly capable of engaging, uplifting, and connecting Los Alamosians, from your county council members to your nuclear physicists and everyone in between. Kelly’s retirement marks the close of an accomplished tenure at the County, but you can surely find her at your local Starbucks, brimming with pride as a resident of the Secret City. We can’t wait to see what her next chapter brings!”
Daughter-in-law Sarah Walsh: “Kelly doesn’t do anything halfway. She pours herself into her family, friends, and work. I met Kelly during my first trip to Los Alamos. She promptly had me stop what I was doing to go visit Bandelier then spent the rest of the weekend showing me some of her favorite spots in town while telling me about the town and laboratory origins. Kelly is so proud of and passionate about Los Alamos. From the work that she does to supporting local businesses and artists on every possible occasion – she is everything you could want in a representative of county. I’m sure she will be sorely missed at work, but her granddaughter (and the rest of her family) are thrilled to have more time with Mimi!”
Son Jack Stewart: “Kelly’s loving personality and bubbly demeanor extend far beyond her family and personal circles. She has extended the same energy and enthusiasm into her career and the County of Los Alamos for many years. She is not only dedicated to her role of promoting this great county, but she truly embodies what it means to be a Los Alamosean by constantly learning, loving, and growing.”
Daughter Claire Stewart: “Kelly is incredible! She has always devoted all of herself to anything she does–whether it’s bringing film opportunities to Los Alamos, bringing endless fun and compassion to her relationships with friends and family, or spending time with her beautiful new grandbaby, Lucy! Since joining the County, Kelly has been the heart-and-soul and the driving force in supporting local businesses, bringing in incredible new businesses and opportunities to the town, and supporting her community. While I’m sure her office will feel her absence, our whole family is thrilled to have more time to spend with our Ma, our Mimi, the heart of our family!”