How MainGate United Collapsed and Lost Its Mission, Its Money, and the Public’s Trust

ALAMOGORDO, NM — Once a symbol of civic excellence and military partnership, MainGate United now stands as a cautionary tale of mismanagement, mission drift, and broken trust. The organization, which evolved from the legendary Committee of 50, was created to champion Alamogordo’s strategic military assets and foster economic development. But under the leadership of Jarrett Perry as Executive Director of the Chamber which is paid for administrative services to support MainGates mission and Dr. John Klump its most recent leader, MainGate has not only lost its direction—it has lost its financial footing and the confidence of the community it was meant to serve.

A Legacy of Leadership

The Committee of 50, founded in 1964, was a powerhouse of civic advocacy. Its members—drawn from Alamogordo’s business and military elite—secured millions in federal funding for Holloman Air Force Base, White Sands Missile Range, and Fort Bliss. Their efforts led to the construction of extended runways, fire stations, and a test track facility at Holloman. Delegations traveled regularly to Washington, D.C., meeting with lawmakers, Pentagon officials, and even White House staff to ensure Alamogordo’s voice was heard in national defense budgeting.

Beyond defense, the Committee elevated Alamogordo Public Schools to national prominence, advocating for progressive curriculum, competitive teacher recruitment, and strong ties with New Mexico State University. The establishment and growth of the NMSU-Alamogordo campus were directly tied to the Committee’s vision of a well-educated, civically engaged community that could support and benefit from a robust military presence.

MainGate’s Promising Start

In 2017, the Committee formally transitioned into MainGate United, a move intended to modernize its mission and expand community involvement. The rebranding was initially successful. MainGate quickly earned accolades, including the prestigious Altus Trophy, awarded to the community that best supports its local Air Force base. The honor, received during the early days of Jarrett Perry’s tenure, was widely seen as a reflection of the groundwork laid by previous leadership—not the new administration’s direction.

Financial Missteps and Ethical Concerns

MainGate United’s decline accelerated under Perry, who was appointed Executive Director of the Alamogordo Center of Commerce, which housed and managed the books for MainGate. While Perry’s appointment was initially met with optimism, his tenure quickly became controversial. A police investigation into secret surveillance or recording outside of Chamber offices via cameras they administer has led to a key board resignation, with others prior, and a formal legal complaint. But the ethical concerns were only part of the story.

Financial records and internal correspondence reveal that the Chamber of Commerce receives $12,000 annually from MainGate United to administer the organization. This arrangement, while not unusual, became problematic when paired with a $15,000 payment made to Perry’s wife for grant writing services related to a proposed charter school—an initiative spearheaded by Dr. John Klump. The payment was issued without prior board approval, raising serious questions about governance, transparency, and potential profiteering.

The charter school project, which has struggled with low enrollment and limited community support, marked a dramatic shift in MainGate’s mission. Originally founded to support military partnerships and economic development, the organization’s pivot toward education—without strategic planning or public input—has been widely criticized as “mission creep.” The financial strain caused by the pre-unauthorized payment and administrative costs has left MainGate effectively broke, unable to fulfill its original purpose.

Breakdown in Civic Relationships

Concerns about Perry’s leadership extended beyond internal finances. In a move that stunned many city officials, Perry reportedly slighted the Alamogordo City Commission by failing to appear personally for a report called for by the commission though the comission pays in excess of $100,000 annually into the Chambers operations.  This breakdown in communication and collaboration has further eroded trust between the Chamber and city government.

Adding to the frustration, Perry sent a junior 20 year old staff member to represent Alamogordo at a critical New Mexico MainStreet event, bypassing more experienced leaders from the orginization.  The decision was viewed by many as a missed opportunity to advocate for Alamogordo’s interests on a statewide stage and sent a clear signal of disengagement from serious economic development efforts and a lack of real support for downtown business growth.

Silence and Stagnation

Following a letter suggesting a need for reorganizing the organization, it is now dormant. The letter circulated among board members and civic stakeholders and yet MainGate United has gone totally silent. There have been no strategic board meetings and no public forums since the letter was issued. The lack of transparency and engagement has deepened public distrust and left many wondering whether the organization can—or should—be salvaged. AlamogordoTownNews.org sent an email to Dr. Klump seeking comment and feedback via an IPRA request, since the Chamber receives public taxpayer money, only to be ignored, adding further scrutiny of more failed transparency.  The letter from Dr Klump to stakeholders is seen below. 

The Alamogordo community and the AlamogordoTownNews.org, has expressed alarm over the downward spiral and trajectory of the Chamber and now defunct MainGate United.

 In a recent conversation with 2nd Life Media and AlamogordoTownNews.org by a civic leader, it was said the loss of institutional wisdom and strategic foresight that once defined MainGate United and its lost focus is unnerving, “MainGate was supposed to be the bridge between our community and our military partners,” another member states, “now MainGate United is a broken promise to it's founders and the Alamogordo community." 

A Community at a Crossroads

The collapse of MainGate United comes at a critical time for Alamogordo. With shifting national defense priorities and increasing economic pressures, the city needs a strong, unified voice to advocate for its interests. The legacy of the Committee of 50 offers a blueprint for what is possible when civic leaders put community above self-interest. But rebuilding that legacy will require more than nostalgia—it will demand transparency, accountability, real leadership, and a renewed commitment to the common broad community good.

As Alamogordo looks to the future, the question remains: who will step up to lead, and advocate for the military partnerships with Alamogordo?  Who will fill the void?  Will the Chamber learn from recent mistakes and recover—or will it continue to repeat its mistakes?

But a bigger question looms: should a significant change in leadership happen at the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce and within MainGate United to rebuild immediately—before more reputational damage comes into play?

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