Norman Vigil was born and raised in northern New Mexico on a small ranch in Canjilon. He earned his BS from New Mexico State University in Range Science in 1979. He was employed by the Soil Conservation Service in 1977 and retired from the Natural Resources Conservation Service in 2013 after 36 years of federal service. In 1982, Norman moved to Baggs, Wyoming to become the District Conservationist with Soil Conservation Service and returned to New Mexico in 2000. He served in numerous positions for NRCS throughout his career as Assistant State Conservationist for Programs, Assistant State Conservationist for Operations, Area Conservationist, Team Leader, District Conservationist, Range Conservationist, Student Trainee and Soil Conservation Technician. Norman had the opportunity as Acting State Conservationist in North Dakota, Nevada and New Mexico as well as acting Program Manager in Washington DC. He is currently retired in Canjilon raising cattle and hay, and enjoying 8 grandkids – 3 girls and 5 boys. Norman was elected to the Upper Chama SWCD in 2020.

Mr. Paul Cordova, a resident of the Los Ojos/Tierra Amarilla area for an extended period, has been in the employ of Rio Arriba County for a duration of 14 years. Presently, he holds the position of Senior GIS Anylyst/Mapping Supervisor. Additionally, Mr. Cordova serves as a board member for the NORA Electric Coop, the Ensenada Domestic Water Association, the Ensenada Acequia Association, and is an active member of the Tierra Amarilla Volunteer Fire Department. He has been a Supervisor with the UCSWCD for a period of 4 years.

J. Agapito Candelaria was born and raised in the community of Los Ojos, New Mexico with a farm and ranch background. He attended New Mexico State University where he pursued a BS Degree in AXED. He was a 4-H Agent for the County of Río Arriba for a number of years. He then has held several positions in RAC, to include Chief Appraiser for the Assessor’s Office. He also served in the Planning and Zoning Department, while retiring as RAC Treasurer. Throughout his career he served as a member of the RC&D Council representing the County of RA, and the Upper Chama Soil Conservation District. He is a Charter Member of the Río Arriba County Fair Association, in which case he assisted, through RC&D Council in organizing/establishing the Río Arriba County Rural Events Center. In serving as a member of the UCSWCD, he assisted in acquiring land to establish a headquarters, where he has served as Chairman/Vice- Chairman. In so doing, he helped establish the Cooperative Weed Management area. On occasions he has assisted the San José Parish in organizing their Annual Santiago Fiestas and is currently serving as Chairman of the Los Ojos Domestic Water Association.

Tirzio Lopez currently works for the United States Government as a security professional. Lopez previously worked as a park ranger for New Mexico State Parks, the National Park Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the State of New Mexico. He was a member of the Chama Valley Independent School District School Board until 2019. He is active in the organized labor movement, where he has served as President of the Northern New Mexico Central Labor Council; as an executive officer for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; and he currently sits on the Executive Board of the University Professional and Technical Employees Local 1663. Lopez earned two degrees in criminal justice from New Mexico State University. Lopez runs a small farm and enjoys hunting and fishing throughout the State of New Mexico and was raised to be a steward for the land and its wildlife – as Aldo Leopold did.

Max Martinez graduated from NMSU (1980) with a BS in Agriculture, Animal Science and Wildlife Management. Max was an Agriculture Instructor at Northern NM Community College (1980-82), was employed by NMSU employed the 4H/Agriculture Extension Agent serving Rio Arriba County (1982-88), and was employed with USDA Wildlife Services from 1989 until his retirement in 2022. Max is a cattle rancher in Cebolla, NM and grazes cattle on deeded lands and the former San Joaquin del Rio Chama Land Grant (USDA). Max is active in the NMSU Alumni Association, Rio Arriba County 4H Fair, Northern New Mexico Stockman’s Association, Livestock Producers Trust, Acequía La Otra Banda and Rincon Blanco Acequía, and is a member of the Martinez Ranch Partnership. Max has a teen daughter, Alexia Elena, who is active in 4H and the Martinez Ranch. Max has also been a professional Elk guide for 35 years on private and public lands.