Alamogordo Enters 2026 Amid Active City Manager Search and Mounting Challenges: A Quarter-Century of Leadership Turnover

Alamogordo, New Mexico – January 1, 2026

The new year brings fresh leadership to Alamogordo with the swearing-in of Mayor Sharon McDonald, pledging to rebuild “one block at a time” through transparency, ethical governance, and inclusive progress. Yet, as Mayor McDonald and the newly configured City Commission settle in, one of their earliest and most consequential decisions of the 7 commission members centers on the ongoing national search for a permanent city manager – a position plagued by chronic turnover that has hampered long-term planning and community trust - as witnessed by the fractured approach to the desalination plant that lost prioritization via multiple city managers as covered in our other ongoing series. 

As of January 2026, the City of Alamogordo is actively conducting a national search for a permanent City Manager. The position, offering a salary range of $175,000 to $215,000 depending on qualifications, remains open until filled. Resume screening is to begin in early January 2026

Dr. Stephanie Hernandez, Ph.D., continues as Acting City Manager, a role she has held since Rick Holden’s resignation in late 2024 (and previously on an interim basis in 2023). The search was reopened unanimously by the Commission on December 11, 2025, after a prior recruitment effort was suspended in June 2025 over concerns of potential bias by a few commissioners who allegedly made sexist and racist remarks against an applicant leading to an ethics investigation and  them yielding to external political interference led by representatives of the county and a network of "insiders.

Candidates may apply through the city’s online job portal, with updates expected at the Commission meeting on January 27, 2026. Inquiries can be directed to Human Resources at 575-439-4399.

A 25-Year Chronicle of City Managers: From Stability to Revolving Door

Alamogordo’s commission-manager form of government places significant authority in the appointed city manager, who serves at-will as chief executive. While the early 2000s enjoyed relative stability, the past decade has seen rapid turnover driven by political factionalism on the commission, micromanagement, resistance to reform, and The past decade has seen rapid turnover driven by political factionalism, micromanagement, resistance to reform, and occasional scandals.

Pat McCourt (~2000–July 2008): The longest-serving manager in recent history (approximately eight years). He spearheaded critical water infrastructure and early desalination planning initiatives while serving as president of the New Mexico City Management Association. Successes: Provided steady leadership during population and economic growth implemented long term city planning. Departure: Normal transition after extended service.

Mark Roath (September 2009–May 2012): Brought extensive multi-state municipal experience. Successes: Maintained operations during multiple staff transitions. Departure: Resigned amid widespread senior staff departures and organizational strain with change. 

Jim Stahle (April 2013–September 2015): Oversaw budget stabilization, flood-control projects, and advancement of recreational facilities such as the Family Recreation Center Project. Successes: Progress on community-oriented infrastructure. Departure: Quiet resignation attributed to mounting pressure from a divided commission yielding to a small cabal of insider influences; widely viewed as the beginning of the modern instability era.

 Dr. George Straface (Interim, October 2015–May 2016): Focused on immediate stabilization. Successes: Balanced the budget, advanced the desalination project further, hired key personnel including a new Police Chief, and improved staff relations. Departure: Resigned voluntarily after accomplishing short-term objectives.

Maggie Paluch (May 2016–February 2019): Began as acting manager before full appointment in July 2017. Successes: Introduced the city’s first comprehensive annual report for greater transparency; attracted major retailers including Hobby Lobby; facilitated mall redevelopment and economic growth. Failures/Challenges: Faced allegations of a toxic workplace environment, retaliation claims by staff, and controversy surrounding the suspension of the police chief. Departure: Resigned under pressure amid escalating scandal and lawsuits. 

Brian Cesar (February 2019–May 2023): Internal promotion; acting initially, then full appointment in October 2019. Successes: Delivered the longest tenure during the high-turnover period; completed long-delayed projects such as Bonito Lake restoration change orders; effectively managed gross receipts tax implementations and appeals; promoted internal talent. Departure: Retired after 25 years of city service.

Dr. Stephanie Hernandez (Acting, May–December 2023): Provided bridge leadership following Cesar’s retirement.

Rick Holden (December 2023–September/October 2024): Outsider with Texas municipal experience. Successes: Implemented efficiency reforms, hired new staff, and prioritized economic development and infrastructure upgrades. Failures/Challenges: Encountered significant friction with commissioners over communication style (including an email tone dispute) and local business insider controversies. Again certain commissioners yielded to insiders verses the greater good. Departure: Resigned citing health concerns, loss of enthusiasm, and political tensions.

 Dr. Stephanie Hernandez (Acting, September 2024–Present): Reappointed acting city manager. Successes: Hired nine new department directors; secured critical grants for infrastructure; introduced performance-based budgeting; increased transparency, corrected self-insurance liabilities and enhanced contract scrutiny; restored operational stability amid ongoing political challenges and a "good ole boy network" petitioning against her policy reforms. 

Standout Performers in a Turbulent Era

Among this history, three managers consistently rank highest for effectiveness based on tenure length, project completion, stability provided, and lasting impact per an indepth review of effectiveness by a University of California researcher. 

1. Pat McCourt – Set the gold standard for longevity and visionary infrastructure leadership. Set the foundation for 50 year water and infrastructure planning.

2. Brian Cesar – Anchored the city through its most unstable modern period, finishing overdue initiatives and building internal capacity for future success. 

3. Dr. Stephanie Hernandez – Despite interim constraints, has delivered measurable fiscal and administrative reforms that have begun reversing recent dysfunction. Established the most diverse and educated city director level leadership in the city's history. Brought fiscal stability to the city setting a standard for transparency. 

Academic Insight: The High Cost of Turnover

Political science researchers from the University of California system, who have extensively studied commission-manager governments nationwide to include Alamogordo, emphasize that frequent city manager turnover severely undermines municipal effectiveness. Their analyses identify political discord, council factionalism yielding to insiders, and economic pressures as primary drivers of short tenures.

In contrast, sustained leadership enables multi-year strategic planning, retention of institutional knowledge, higher staff morale, more successful grant pursuits, and stronger public trust. 

Alamogordo’s repeated interruptions to projects like desalination, water system upgrades, revitalization, crumbling roads and infrastructure illustrate these findings: each managerial change resets progress, creates “learning curve” delays, slows infrastructure projects and contributes to staff demoralization and  taxpayer resource waste.

The Critical Decision Facing the New Commission

With an active national search underway and Acting Manager Dr. Hernandez providing proven day-to-day stability, the incoming McDonald administration and City Commission face a pivotal choice in early 2026: continue the external recruitment in hopes of bringing fresh perspective (risking yet another disruptive transition and potential repeat of past conflicts), or prioritize continuity by elevating the effective interim leader to permanent status and building on current momentum. Residents and observers alike hope this decision helps finally break the cycle of instability.

Mayor McDonald Launches “Open Door” Initiative

True to her campaign promise of open doors and transparency, Mayor McDonald is kicking off the new year with direct public engagement. Starting this week, she will hold daily office hours from 9:00 a.m. to noon at City Hall, continuing through at least January 16th. Residents are invited to drop in or schedule one-on-one meetings to share thoughts, ideas, and concerns.

Meet the Mayor Office Hours

• When: January 5–16, Monday thru Thursday 2026  9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

• Where: Alamogordo City Hall, 1376 E. 9th Street, Alamogordo, NM 88310

• Scheduling: Appointments preferred; call 575-295-2155 or stop by the mayor’s office.

Broader Challenges on the Horizon

Beyond leadership, Mayor McDonald confronts interconnected priorities: major water infrastructure upgrades (including the $12 million Walker Road project bidding in early 2026), downtown and economic revitalization fueled by MainStreet investments and rather Patriot Point redevelopment actually breaks ground, public safety enhancements, military/veteran housing needs tied to Holloman Air Force Base, homelessness solutions, and rooting out perceived nepotism  and "good ole boy" insider influences while improving intergovernmental collaboration.

As community “Voices of Alamogordo” by 2nd Life Media hosts another community salon at Otero Arts January 6th, 6 pm with another educational session. We are encouraged with cautious optimism that ethical, steady leadership can at last deliver sustained progress to Alamogordo with sustainable consistent leadership and civil dialogue for a better community.

Sources/Citations:

• City of Alamogordo official website (ci.alamogordo.nm.us) – agendas, minutes, job postings, historical records.

• 2nd Life Media / Alamogordo Town News (2023–2025 articles on resignations, searches, Hernandez accomplishments).

• Alamogordo Daily News archives on managerial transitions and controversies.

• New Mexico Municipal League and state reports on water/infrastructure policy.

• University of California Municipal Government Study 

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