AnJanette Brush, Chair: A former educator, non-profit arts administrator, and corporate communications director, AnJanette Brush is the co-founder and co-owner of El Salto Partners, an Arroyo Seco, NM-based consulting firm delivering communications and business development strategies. Her work helps organizations reach new and existing audiences more effectively, helping to inspire action and engagement. She loves the Taos community, the New Mexico landscape, and being outdoors as much as possible on the many trails that RMYC makes possible for all to enjoy.
Cameron Martinez, Vice-Chair and Secretary: Mr. Martinez holds a BS in Forest Management Science and a MF in Silviculture from Colorado State University, he has completed the highly regarded Senior Executive Service candidacy program with the Department of Interior and was a Senior Fellow at the JFK School of Government in Public Policy and Administration at Harvard University. He has worked 30 years for the Department of Interior in various executive positions and 10 years for the Pojoaque Pueblo also in executive positions. Mr Martinez has had the opportunity to work for then Representative Tom Udall as a staff assistant and continues to maintain open lines of communication with this office. In addition, Mr. Martinez has worked with a wide variety of community organizations on various levels of issues and projects. This experience and skill will allow him to assist the RMYC in fulfilling its goals and for Mr. Martinez to fit into its board members responsibilities of the “duty of care,” the “duty of loyalty,” and the “duty of obedience.”
Doug Thiesen, Member: Born in 1952 and raised on a farm in northwest Iowa, Doug attended the University of Iowa, where he obtained both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Juris Doctorate. After law school, he joined the Air Force and practiced general civil law, served as a criminal prosecutor and was an Area Defense Counsel. Following active duty, he was hired as an AF civilian attorney at Norton AFB in southern California, where he practiced labor law, environmental law and contract law. In 1989, he moved to Albuquerque and began working as a federal civilian attorney on Kirtland AFB until he retired in 2013. Since retirement, he has devoted a good deal of his time to family and personal business matters. He has volunteered with the NM Technology Research Collaborative, the NM Volunteers for the Outdoors, Friends of the Sandia Mountains and Los Amigos de Valles Caldera, and the Popejoy Ambassadors Program and a church sponsored food distribution program. He is married to an AF officer and has two adult daughters.
Dede Feldman, Member: The first woman elected as a New Mexico senator from Albuquerque’s near North Valley, and now the author of a book about her experiences, Dede Feldman has been a pioneer for women in government. She has a long history of promoting campaign finance reform, improved health insurance in New Mexico, and election reform. Dede built her foundation for change with a varied career as a journalist, high school and university teacher, and the owner of a small public relations business. As the state senator for District 13 from 1997-2012, Feldman had a big impact on the lives of women, children, and people struggling to make ends meet. Dede has lived in the North Valley of Albuquerque since 1976 in a solar adobe home she and her husband built as an experiment in passive solar design.
Marc Space, Treasurer: Marc retired as an educator in 2018 after 39 years in the profession, the last 16 years of which he served as a superintendent of schools, including 5 years here in Taos (2002-2007). Marc received his Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of New Mexico in 2000. Here in Taos, Marc created the Taos Cyber Magnet School and established the Taos Schools Foundation, which currently operates under the umbrella of the Taos Community Foundation. Marc is a Paul Harris Fellow, an honor from Rotary International. He has served as the president of the Taos Milagro Rotary Club (2005-2006) and currently serves as the Vice President and the Director of Education on the board of the Enchanted Circle chapter of Trout Unlimited. In the latter capacity Marc has brought Trout in the Classroom to many area schools, including Taos Middle School and Taos Day School.
Naomi Concha, Member: Naomi began her service with RMYC when she was still in high school in 1999. During the school year, she tutored elementary students in various academic studies. During the summer, she facilitated summer programming for youth and did volunteer work around the local community. Currently, Naomi works with Taos Pueblo as a Prevention Specialist and has coordinated the Youth Outreach Program for the last 5 years. Naomi serves on the Taos Pueblo Red Willow Farm Board and the Women Give Taos organization through the Taos Community Foundation. Other community initiatives she is involved with include the 100% Community Initiative as a member of the Advisory Council, the Mentorship Action Team, the Historical Trauma Team, and Leadership Team. Naomi also serves on the Taos Municipal Schools and Vista Grande High School Equity Councils. Naomi is committed to helping maintain the mission and goals of RMYC and creating new opportunities for young adults that will have a positive impact on themselves and the communities they represent. Naomi wants to see Corpsmembers develop into leaders and changemakers while excelling in community service and being productive members of society.