From NMBA Chair Lori Waldon
We have some important news to share. Our Executive Director, Paula Maes, announced she was retiring this year. The NMBA Executive Committee launched a lengthy search to find our next executive Director, and our hope was to fill this key position by the end of May.
We are happy to announce that we have a new NMBA Executive Director, Monica Armenta. Monica may be a familiar name to many of us in New Mexico. Most recently, she served as the executive director of Albuquerque Public Schools Communications. In her role, Monica oversaw internal and external communications for 148 schools, 68,000 employees, and 89 departments. She’s a veteran of APS schools and has worked for the district for almost 25 years. Monica also has solid broadcast experience. She worked at KOB-TV as an intern and NMBA Scholarship winner, then as a reporter, and then as the anchor of KOB-TV’s daily morning show. Monica has deep ties to our community which include working for the APS Education Foundation and serving on the boards of the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce and the American Heart Association. Monica has been honored with Emmy and NMBA awards and has received several impressive awards and honors here in New Mexico.
Last week, I asked Monica to share a few words with all of you as she happily takes on her new role, which begins July 22.
“My broadcasting and communications career started years ago with a college scholarship and internship from the New Mexico Broadcasters Association. Now, I am honored to dedicate my energy and talents to ensuring New Mexicans continue to enjoy the many benefits of traditional broadcasting – accessibility, reliability, local coverage, simplicity, emergency broadcasting, convenience, entertainment, and a sense of community. Local broadcasting is critical to our state, and I am excited to champion its future as the industry evolves.”
Monica also echoes our sentiment that she is stepping into very big shoes. Paula Maes has dedicated 30 years as our NMBA Executive Director. She has worked passionately and tirelessly for New Mexico Broadcasters. We are indebted to Paula for her outstanding service, and we are deeply proud of her well-deserved recognition as a champion for broadcasters in New Mexico and throughout the country.
We hope to see you all in a few weeks at the NMBA Convention on June 21, when we will both celebrate Paula’s retirement and warmly welcome our next Executive Director, Monica Armenta.
