The Lovington Economic Development Corporation has organized exclusively to foster and promote economic development in the City of Lovington and in the surrounding area and to promote where appropriate for charitable, scientific or educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (A), 501 (C) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The object, business and purpose of this Corporation is nonpolitical, and shall be devoted to protecting and shall be devoted to protecting and promoting the well-being and economic development of Lovington and the areas contiguous to Lovington for agricultural, commercial, industrial, governmental and other appropriate purposes and to render related services to the community. The purpose of this Corporation shall not be the protection, promotion, or stimulation of any specific business or group of businesses organized for profit.
There shall be not less than three (3) nor more than twelve (12) voting Directors who shall hold office for three (3) consecutive years. The Board of Directors replacing the original three (3) Directors shall be twelve (12) in number and shall consist of one permanent Director representing the City of Lovington, the Mayor of Lovington. The remaining nine (11) directors shall be elected by the Board from the following groups of members: Business; Government; Educational; Institution; Judiciary; Utilities; Health & Social Services; Individual; and Civic organizations & Churches. There shall be two (2) non-elected board members:
Mayor (Voting)
City Manager (Non-Voting: Ex-Officio)
Board of Directors
Randall Pettigrew - President
Richard Soutar-Vice President
Rich Soutar is the Chief Information Officer for Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative, Inc. He was raised in Palatine Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, until he attended and graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He then moved to California and worked in the Defense industry while pursuing a Masters in Computer Engineering. Soutar spent 25 years in California moving into the commercial software industries in Silicon Valley and later in Sacramento. He established a horse farm in California and move to Lovington to set up a breeding farm and raise horses for the excellent breeding and racing industry growing in New Mexico. Soutar has lived in Lovington for the past 3 ½ years and worked for Leaco for almost 2 years.
Soutar would like to see the growth of additional business in Lovington and Lea County which could balance the economic cycles in the petroleum industry and lead to long term stability and improve the quality of life for all citizens in this growing community.
Jon R. Gandy has lived in Lea County for forty years and graduated from Lovington High School. Gandy is Vice President and employed with Gandy Corporation, a family owned business. Gandy holds an Associate’s in Science Petroleum Mechanics from New Mexico University in Roswell.
Gandy is married to Dianna Gandy and they have two daughters: Jamie Gandy-18 years old and Jade Gandy-14 years old.
During his tenure as Vice President of the Corporation, Gandy would like to see new residential development in Lovington; the LEDC actively participate in their committee work; and the LEDC take an active role in obtaining and maintaining a beautiful, clean community image.
Pat Wise-Director
Pat Wise is the Operations Manager for Zia Park Raceway and Black Gold Casino. Previously, he served the City of Lovington as City Manager for six plus years, after serving as a Lovington City Commissioner and Mayor Pro-Tem. He is a native of Lovington, having grown up there and graduated from Lovington High School.
Wise holds a Bachelor's of Business Administration and Finance from Eastern New Mexico University, and has past professional experience in commercial insurance, banking and investments. His professional and civic involvements include serving on the Boards of Directors of the New Mexico Municipal League, the Guidance Center of Lea County, Estacado Library Information Network, Lea County Water Users Assoc., Lea County Economic Development Corp., Southeast New Mexico Economic Development Corp., and the National League of Cities Public Safety Commission.
Additionally, Wise has served as Board Chairman of the Lea County Solid Waste Authority, President of the New Mexico City Managers Association, and as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the New Mexico Self Insurer’s Fund. Additionally, he currently serves as Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the First United Methodist Church.
Wise and his wife Sharon have five daughters, with thirteen grandchildren rounding out the family.
Steven L. O’Quinn currently serves as Superintendent of Schools for the Lovington Municipal Schools. He has over 30 years experience as a teacher and school administrator. Mr. O’Quinn moved to Lovington in 2007 following a successful career in education in Texas. He was named “Principal of the Year” by the Region 17 Association of Secondary Schools Principals in 2005 while he served as high school principal in Plains, TX. Under his leadership, the school was recognized by the Texas Business and Education Coalition as one of the 42 top-rated high schools in Texas in 2006-07 and 2007-08. During his tenure, the school also won twelve consecutive district academic championships, six regional academic championships, and was state runner-up twice.
O’Quinn received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Sam Houston State University and a Masters of Education Administration from Stephen F. Austin State University. His wife Rennetta is a teacher in the Lovington Schools and they have two children, Annaliesa, a pharmaceutical representative for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, and Blake, a junior at Texas A&M University.
Besides being a member of the board of the LEDC, Mr. O’Quinn is a member of the New Mexico School Superintendents Association, New Mexico Coalition of School Administrators, Lovington Rotary Club and the First Baptist Church. He has also served on the scholarship committee for Lea County Electric Cooperative’s Education Foundation.
Suzie P. Brown is Director of Marketing, Member Services and Collections for Lea County Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LCEC). Brown has worked for LCEC since 2004. Prior to joining LCEC, she was Marketing Manager for Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative. Before relocating to Lovington, Brown spent ten years in the Public/Media Relations Department for Compaq Computer Corporation based in Houston, Texas.
Brown received her Associates of Arts at New Mexico Junior College and holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Eastern New Mexico University. In addition to the Board of the Lovington EDC, Brown is a Board member for the Lovington Chamber of Commerce and is President-elect of the Lovington Rotary Club.
Brown is married to Robert Brown and they have two children, Emily and Hayden.
Kallie Richards has lived in Lovington all her life. She attended Lovington Schools for seven years and Tatum schools for five years. She graduated from Tatum High School. Richards has attended New Mexico Junior College and New Mexico State University. Richards was a bookkeeper for over 15 years before obtaining her real estate license. She has been a realtor for the past 12 years. She has been associated with Earlene Roberts Real Estate for the past 10 years. Richards has served on the Chamber Board of Directors, Lea County Rodeo Committee and Lovington Economic Development Corporation. Richards was also a member of the Lions Club and was named Lion of the Year while serving.
Richards has two sons, Andy and Trace Wilhoit. Her sons are active participants in the 4H and FFA programs. Richards is an active parent in Boy Scouts and Eagle Scout organizations.
Richards would like to see Lovington grow with new housing and businesses. During her tenure as President, she would like to see the LEDC become a viable organization that will help recruit membership.
Maria Valencia - Director
Vanessa Little-Sellers - Director
Vanessa Little-Sellers is a Sales Producer/Agent for Western States Insurance. She has worked for Western States Insurance the past 8 years and has 5 years prior insurance experience with another agency. Previously employment includes Leaco and Lea County Treasurer’s Office. She served on the Lovington MainStreet Board of Directors and has participated in the Halloween Safe Stop, Lovington Beautification Day and Smokin on the Plaza BBQ Cook-off.
Vanessa has lived in Lovington for 29 years and raised two sons here. She earned an Associate in Accounting from the New Mexico Junior College in 2008.
Vanessa is married to Arzell Sellers, the Ranch Manager for Eidson Ranch.
In 1966, after graduating from college in Oklahoma, Dixie Drummond moved to Lovington. She came here because of a job opportunity with the Lovington Public Schools. She began her 30+ years of teaching, including teaching in the areas of physical education and history. After retiring, she missed the interaction with students and began teaching at New Mexico Junior College and College of the Southwest. Teaching is her passion in life.
Drummond became the Mayor of Lovington after serving on the Lovington City Commission for many years. At that time, Drummond gave up her teaching career and retired for good. Drummond cannot imagine living anywhere else. She fell in love with Lovington from the first year she arrived. Her hope for the community is to fill our vacant stores with thriving businesses and to continue to grow. She wants the community to continue to have “that small town feeling where you know and look out for all your neighbors”. Drummond will continue to do all she can for the people of Lovington.
Michael Leighton-City Manager
Experience
25 years in local government management as City and Count Manager in News Mexico, Kansas, Missouri and Arizona. Serving as City Manager of Lovington, NM since March 2009..
US Navy
Key areas of Accomplishment (Lovington)
economic development, grants/budget management, personnel realignment, code enforcement improvements, improved financing, improved infrastructure
Education
1982 MPA Texas Tech University Center for Puiblic Service
1976 BS Easter NM University History, Social Policy Double Major
Other
Who’s Who 2008
Free Mason
Lions, Rotary, Elks
Evelyn Holguin was born on August 24th in Hobbs NM but raised in Lovington all her life. She is the youngest of two siblings. She graduated from Lovington High School in 1999, and then went on to attend NMJC for two years in Office Technology and also completed the Economic Development Course in 2011.
Evelyn joined the EDC staff in July of 2008 and was the Office Manager for the Lovington Chamber of Commerce, Lovington Economic Development Corporation and Lovington Mainstreet. Prior to working for the EDC, Evelyn worked in the banking industry. Evelyn would like to see Lovington and the Economic Development Corporation develop a strong presence and community growth.
Evelyn is married to Omar Holguin and they have two children, Omar Jr. and Jocelynn Jordan. Evelyn is the President and a Coach of the Lovington USSSA Baseball League. Evelyn is also an active member of Kiwanis.
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