Top Influencers in Politics, Arts, and Education in Alamogordo, 2025

With the upcoming elections in November of 2025, and the filing deadline fast approaching on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, the leadership of AlamogordoTownNews.org, NewMexicoConservativeNews.com and KALHRadio.org tasked me and my working political science team at the University of California, Berkeley to use our AI and polling tools and to determine those individuals that have the most influence in Alamogordo in the areas of politics, education, and culture. We will follow in a separate article on influencers in business, media and healthcare in a future article.

Historically those leaders with influence in business, media, education and culture can play an outsized role in influencing political dialogue and public policy.

The methodology used was to track via an influence map and a sentiment dashboard to include their media reach, civic engagement, and policy impact over time.

Our research came up with some interesting findings on who plays an influence in Alamogordo, New Mexico. A few names were expected, and a few were surpising to us especially in the areas of influence on education. The findings make sense when we considered the metrics of what made them appear, as a person of influence.

Alamogordo's political landscape is shaped by local city and county officials, as well as state and federal representatives. Key figures include the mayor and city commissioners, who handle municipal governance, county commissioners influencing regional policy, and state legislators addressing broader New Mexico issues. Alamogordo falls within New Mexico House District 51 and Senate District 33.

Political Influencers:

Specific to politics: Four names stand out in most polling and scrubbing of data with the highest influence ratings: Mayor Susan Payne, Mayor Pro Temp Sharon McDonald, County Commissioner, Amy Barela and District 51 Representative, John Block.

Mayor Susan Payne is measured by our algorithm as "highly effective influencing local governance topics for discussion and updates to city policies.." Her influence shows a committed focus on "cross party consensus-building, infrastructure, and community initiatives like affordable housing and public safety town halls, earning her strong a influence rating in "engaging public debate." However, her influence is more operational than media-driven or social media driven, though she engages publicly through interviews and social media. She has mixed favorability ratings due to some negative personal engagement on social media. She is viewed as highly accessible. 

Mayor Payne and Mayor Pro Temp McDonald rank in the top tier of local  politicians "having the greatest influence on local public policy due to their public accessibility." Each are seen at public events more so than any other regional government official. 

Amy Barela, as Otero County Commissioner and New Mexico Republican Party Chairperson, drives partisan discussions on transparency and collaboration but is seen as more "divisive and abrupt."  Mrs. Barla is seen as "statewide-focused," with lower local effectiveness ratings to influence solving local policy challenges. She ranked high in statewide advocacy for "internet connectivity to rural communities." 

State Representative John Block advances conservative issues like taxes and public safety via legislation and his partisan Piñon Post outlet. Blocks impact is broader than Alamogordo-specific, with very mixed local reception. His local influence rating is considered minimal except to a vocal minority. He ranks as the least effective legislative representative in Southern New Mexico due to extreme partisanship. Block has a "higher influence and approval rating in Eastern New Mexico," in the oil belt, than in Otero County. 

Sharon McDonald, Mayor Pro Temp, is viewed as highly influential in the areas of historic preservation, community cleanup and rehabilitation efforts and as exceptionally active in downtown redevelopment. She ranks highest in influence of any local political leader as "business focused" and "as a behind the scene advocate and influencer to solve the derrelect housing issues." She is viewed as having "passive podium influence,"but "aggressive in behind the scenes influence and advocacy in coalition building," rather than relying on social media.

Cultural Arts Influencers:

Cultural influence in Alamogordo revolves around arts organizations, performing arts centers, and historical societies. Leaders promote events, visual arts, and community engagement, often tied to the city's desert heritage and military history. Four names stand out in most polling and scrubbing of data with the highest influence ratings: Chris Jones, Otero Arts, Rochelle Williams, Otero Arts, Claudia Powell, Otero Arts & Dance Advocate,

Chris Jones, Otero Arts, has been a cornerstone of influence leading Alamogordo’s cultural revival through his leadership at Otero Arts. His influence is both visionary and hands-on—he helped transform the historic Woman’s Club building into Otero Artspace, now a thriving hub for visual arts, music, theater, dance, and literary events.

Jones influence is seen as a community collaborator for the arts. He’s known for fostering a spirit of cooperation among artists, educators, and local leaders. Early collaborators like Claudia Powell and Rochelle Williams credit him with helping build a unified arts community during the challenging times of the pandemic

Rochelle Williams, Otero Arts, is a vibrant figure of influence in Alamogordo’s arts scene, known both for her literary work and her emergence as a photographer. She’s a board member at Otero Arts, and in February 2024, she celebrated her first solo photography exhibition at Otero Artspace.

Her creative journey spans decades garnering relationships around the state that add to her influence. Williams has published short stories in outlets like Menacing Hedge, The MacGuffin, and WOW Women on Writing, and her collection Acts of Love & Ruin marked her debut in book form. She’s also led writing workshops and is influential as a mentor for authors, including “Writing for the Calm” and the Veteran Arts Writers’ Workshops hosted at Otero Artspace.

Claudia Powell, Otero Arts & Dance Advocate, has been a dynamic force of artistic influence in Alamogordo’s arts scene, blending advocacy, instruction, and community-building—especially through her work with Otero Arts and her passion for dance, in addition to hands-on efforts of championing the arts as a component of the New York Avenue, Alamogordo, MainStreet makeover.

Under the artistic pseudonym, Anala Nahada, Powell teaches belly dance classes at Otero Artspace, offering weekly sessions that welcome beginners and seasoned dancers alike. Her classes aren’t just about movement they’re about reclaiming joy, confidence, and cultural storytelling through dance for all ages.

Whether she’s organizing events, teaching, or mentoring, Powell’s influence lies in her ability to connect people to the arts in deeply personal ways. Her work helps ensure that dance—and by extension, self-expression—has a permanent home in Otero County.

Loren Jackson, Alamogordo Music Theatre (AMT) influence transends almost 2 decades as pivotal player in shaping the financial and artistic backbone of AMT. Loren isn’t just behind the scenes—he’s also on stage. He’s performed in productions as well as acted as a spokesman and producer for the organization. His dual role as both administrator and performer reflects AMT’s all-volunteer ethos, where passion drives participation and sets an example of influence via viability and action. By balancing financial oversight with artistic involvement.

Jackson contributes to AMT’s long-standing legacy as a cultural institution in Alamogordo thats existed since its founding in 1958. His influence helps ensure that AMT remains a space where local talent can thrive and where the arts are celebrated across generations.

Education Influencers:

Education influencers in Alamogordo impact public schools and higher education institutions like NMSU-Alamogordo. They influence curriculum, funding, and community partnerships, emphasizing STEM and military-connected programs and student outcomes.

Four names stand out in most polling and scrubbing of data with the highest influence ratings: Judy Rabon, Former APS School Board Chair, Stephanie Hernandez, Acting City Manager of Alamogordo,

Judy Rabon, Former Chair of Alamogordo Public Schools Board of Education. Mrs. Rabon’s influence extends beyond policies and leadership as a Board President. Her influence has had a measurable impact on local school operations, particularly in governance, transparency, and community relations. Her role in and out of office has been to work to tame more combative voices on issues like state mandates, Critical Race Theory, and transgender participation in sports, toward a more procedural and moderate approach that considers collaboration across a variety of constituencies

Her influence continues to be significant and referenced as a model of how to subtly interact with the public and multiple stakeholders to handle controversial topics, opting for less confrontational language in resolutions,  public statements and support of initiatives.

Rabon in and out of office has emphasized “transparency in every action." Through her role on the state capital outlay oversight committee, Rabon influenced funding decisions for school infrastructure for an impact found around the state.

Rabon’s background as a teacher for over 16 years, and CASA volunteer has shaped her emphasis on lifelong learning and student success.

Her influence style is known for leaning toward consensus-building and subtly addressing issues of importance rather than overt loud rhetorical displays of emotion. 

Dr. Ken VanWinkle and Tresa VanWinkle have both had notable—but distinct—impacts on education in Alamogordo. Here’s a breakdown of their respective influence:

Dr. Ken VanWinkle: Institutional Leadership at NMSU Alamogordo having been selected as President of NMSU Alamogordo: Appointed in 2015 after serving as interim president and associate dean for strategic initiatives at NMSU’s main campus. He later oversaw branch campuses in Alamogordo, Carlsbad, and Grants as part of a systemwide realignment and respect for his influence statewide.

He led efforts to streamline operations across NMSU branches, aiming to “eliminate redundancy, enhance services,” and improve student outcomes. He engaged in discussions with city leaders about the future of branch campuses, including whether they should remain under NMSU or seek independence.

Tresa VanWinkle: Community Health & Educational Outreach. Mrs. VanWinkle's
position as a Founder & Executive Director of CAPPED Inc. may surprise some individuals that she is viewed as an influencer in education circles. Her nonprofit based in Alamogordo focuses on preventive health education and holistic wellness. She speaks around region as a "Visionary Educator" that advocates for lifelong learning and health literacy from early childhood through old age.

Mrs. VanWinkle's influence is witnessed through her advocacy of Community-Based Learning: Through CAPPED, where she’s promoted integrative wellness education, chronic stress management, and self-healing tools. She has built on the Environment as Curriculum Tool in developing spaces like the Trinity Turtle Healing Labyrinth Park to serve as immersive educational environments. Via her leadership and advocacy using social media and traditional media as well as one on one advocacy she champions a Holistic Health Curriculum with CAPPED’s programs that blend science, wellness, and personal empowerment—redefining education beyond traditional classrooms.

Together, the VanWinkles represent two ends of the educational spectrum in Alamogordo: Ken in formal higher education leadership, and Tresa in grassroots, community-driven health education, a position unique to the Alamogordo community. 

Dr. Stephanie Hernandez, Acting City Manager, City of Alamogordo. Dr. Hernandez, as the Acting City Manager of Alamogordo, plays a significant role in shaping the city's policies and initiatives. When it comes to education, her influence might be indirect, but still impactful. Stephanie Hernandez has had a quietly powerful influence on education in Alamogordo—both through her personal journey and her civic leadership.

From Student to Advocate- after the loss of her husband in 1998, Hernandez enrolled at NMSU Alamogordo, where she discovered a passion for business and higher education.

She went on to earn six degrees; associate in business, and bachelor’s in accounting, a bachelor's in economics, a master’s degrees in economics with Public Utilities emphasis, a Master's in education and leadership, and most recently a doctorate (PHD)  in educational leadership and administration.

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Her story is influential as a testament to the transformative role of community colleges, especially for nontraditional students. She often encourages others to “just take a class,” even if they don’t pursue a full degree. 

As the acting City Manager of Alamogordo, Dr. Hernandez has brought her educational values into local governance. She’s a vocal supporter of NMSU Alamogordo and its role in workforce development and community enrichment. 

She emphasizes the importance of certification programs—like auto mechanics—that meet local needs and offer viable career paths outside traditional degrees. 

She has put forward a program that establishes a "Legacy Through Scholarships."

Dr. Hernandez established two endowed scholarships at NMSU Alamogordo: The Pomposo G. and Josefina R. Misquez Endowed Scholarship for first-generation college students; and The Perfecto Ben “Chico” Segura and Cruz Hernandez Veteran’s Endowed Scholarship, honoring her husband of 22 years military service. 

Her influence isn’t just institutional—it’s deeply personal, rooted in resilience and a belief in education as a vehicle for empowerment. If we explore those that drive influence in education initiatives in Alamogordo, Hernandez’s story is a compelling example of how leadership and lived experience can shape a community’s future. 

The city of Alamogordo and Otero County has many advocates for a variety of causes that influence the fabric of our community.  Influencers pay an important role in helping to shape the community we love. Our list is not all inclusive but is compiled via mathematical analysis and tracking via an influence map and a sentiment dashboard. Stay tuned for part 2 in our series later this week. 

- Until next time, Mica Maynard Reports.

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