Alamogordo’s City Manager Search: A Decade of Turnover Leads to February 2026 Interviews – In-Depth Candidate Analysis

Alamogordo, New Mexico — As February 2026 begins, the City of Alamogordo’s search for a permanent city manager reaches a critical phase with scheduled interviews for four finalists: Dr. Stephanie Hernandez (February 5), Theo Melancon (February 5), David Vela (February 10), and Kelcey Young (February 10). This follows a prolonged national recruitment marked by external finalist withdrawals, public calls for transparency, investigations and ongoing scrutiny of leadership stability.

Recap of Prior Selection Process Pitfalls and How We Got Here

Over the past decade (2015–2025), Alamogordo has experienced severe turnover in the city manager’s office, with at least seven individuals serving in the role—many as interims—with average tenures barely exceeding one year. This “revolving door” has been driven by political factionalism on the commission, micromanagement, resistance to reforms, occasional scandals, and a perceived “good ole boy network” influencing decisions. Key historical examples include Jim Stahle’s quiet resignation (pre-2015), brief interims like Dr. George Straface (2015–2016), and more recent exits amid controversies (e.g., Maggie Paluch’s 2019 resignation over unprofessional behavior claims). Earlier 2025 efforts were tainted by alleged bias, sexist/racist remarks against applicants, leading to an ethics investigation and suspension of recruitment. The current search reopened in late 2025, but initial external finalists (e.g., Dana Schoening from Tuttle, OK, and Jerry Flannery from Commerce City, CO) withdrew in January 2026, reportedly due to other opportunities with less political interference. This left Acting City Manager Dr. Stephanie Hernandez as a standout, prompting resumed interviews in February amid resident advocacy for her permanent appointment to end the cycle of instability, delayed projects, rising water rates, stagnant development, declining morale, and eroded trust.

Candidate Profiles: Depth, Verified Achievements, Unproven Claims, Scandals, and Pitfalls

Dr. Stephanie J. Hernandez – Acting City Manager (Alamogordo, NM)

Background and Depth: Hernandez holds a Ph.D. focused on education, government, and public administration. She has served as Assistant City Manager since 2020, with multiple interim/acting stints (2023 and current since September 2024), totaling over 20 months—longer than many prior full managers. She oversees a $80–95 million all-funds budget and ~330 employees, emphasizing performance-based budgeting, transparency, contract oversight, and fiscal corrections (e.g., self-insurance liabilities).

Verified Achievements:

• MainStreet Model Development: Credited with advancing Alamogordo’s MainStreet program per New Mexico MainStreet standards; secured $2.9 million state Capital Outlay grant for the Great Blocks/MainStreet Makeover on New York Avenue (800/900 blocks), plus $1.8 million local funds, catalyzing over $7 million in private investment (e.g., RAD Retrocade, Avis Building brewpub, Sands Theater). Project completed November 2025 with ADA sidewalks, historic lighting, public art, and medians; earned NM MainStreet’s 2025 Excellence Award for grant facilitation and partnerships.

• Infrastructure Projects: Launched and concluded 11 major improvements in the last 18 months, including water/sewer replacements, road/sidewalk enhancements, drainage, and utilities tied to downtown revitalization.

• Staff Stabilization: Hired nine new department directors, creating the most diverse and educated leadership team in recent history; restored morale and operational continuity amid transitions.

• Other: Honorary Commander for Holloman AFB’s MSG, educating military personnel and liaising on collaborations; navigated crises (e.g., employee murder tragedies) with compassion and uninterrupted services.

Unproven Assertions/Weaknesses: No scandals reported via IPRA searches nor press accounts excepting during city manager search with allegations of insider manipulation by 2 commissioners and county official intimidation; her deep local roots (seven+ years in city leadership) provide exceptional institutional knowledge.

Fit for Alamogordo: Lowest risk for continuity, with proven results in local priorities (downtown vitality, grants, military ties, fiscal discipline).

Kelcey Young – Former City Manager (Pinole, CA; Sweet Home, OR) - Interview scheduled in Alamogordo for February 10 however breaking News. The city of Madisonville Texas announced on 2-3-26 that it has hired Mrs Young as their city manager, with starting date of February 9th, 2026. 

https://www.kbtx.com/2026/02/03/city-madisonville-hires-new-city-manage…

Theogene (Theo) Melancon – Former City Manager (Dickinson, TX); Current Consultant/Lecturer

Background and Depth: J.D., M.P.A., ICMA-CM; Dickinson tenure (2021–2025) focused on post-crisis recovery after prior administrator’s arrest; now interim/consulting and lecturing at Stephen F. Austin State University.

Verified Achievements:

• Stabilized Dickinson finances/morale; established Legal/IT/HR/Communications departments; negotiated $87M mixed-use development; secured $100M+ funding (transportation/stormwater); initiated plans (unified code, parks, corridors); some Texas awards (e.g., planning/finance recognitions).

Scandals and Issues:

• 2022 domestic violence arrest (assault/family violence); administrative leave, reinstated 5-2 after investigation (victim called accidental/“witch hunt”); no conviction.

• 2025 ICMA ethics complaint: Filed by grassroots group during Navasota candidacy (withdrew); alleged violations of ICMA code re: Dickinson conduct and advocacy, undermining public trust; tied to social media/political turbulence.

• Departure: $150K severance; reported employee turnover, bond concerns, political unrest.

Pitfalls: Strong economic development expertise but serious ethics/red flags on trust and stability.

David Adrian Vela – Former City Manager (Sweetwater & Odessa, TX)

Background and Depth: ICMA-CM; longest recent tenure in Sweetwater (2016–2025); brief Odessa (June–October 2025).

Verified Achievements:

• Sweetwater: Led $80.69M bond election; charter revision (23 ballot initiatives approved); waste privatization; 10-year parks master plan; mission/values development.

• Odessa: Oversaw $330M budget briefly; secured youth sports complex funding (~$130M estimated).

Unproven Assertions/Weaknesses:

• Specific project metrics (e.g., youth complex) limited beyond funding announcements.

• Odessa resignation after ~5 months for “personal reasons” (family proximity); initial continued pay/benefits, then severance.

No Scandals: Professional exits, but recent short stint raises commitment/stability questions.

Pitfalls of Out-of-State Hires and Learning Curve

External candidates (from Texas/California/Oregon) bring funding/economic expertise but face steep adaptation: New Mexico’s volatile gross receipts tax reliance, strict IPRA transparency laws, unique rural/military dynamics (Holloman AFB), and local politics often lead to missteps, friction, and exits—exacerbating turnover seen in Alamogordo’s history. Short tenures (Young/Vela recent) and controversies (Melancon) heighten risks of repeating instability, delayed projects, and eroded trust. Hernandez’s local, proven record minimizes these pitfalls.

The commission’s decision could break—or perpetuate—the cycle. Residents are encouraged to attend meetings, email commissioners, and monitor via IPRA for transparency and stay tuned to KALHRadio.org and AlamogordoTownNews.org

Citations:

• Turnover history/timeline: 2nd Life Media Alamogordo Town News (Sep 25, 2025 “Shadows of Turnover”; Jan 1, 2026 “Enters 2026 Amid Search”; Jan 21/22, 2026 articles on withdrawals/politics); KRQE (2019 Paluch resignation).

• Hernandez achievements: 2nd Life Media (Nov 29/Dec 14, 2025 MainStreet; Jan 1/7, 2026 hires/infrastructure/staff thanks); NM MainStreet (2025 Excellence Award/project completion); Citizen Portal (Feb 2026 resident comments).

• Young: East Bay Times/Contra Costa News/Richmond Standard (Nov 2025 Pinole resignation); Sweet Home New Era (Jul 2024 resignation/threats).

• Melancon: KBTX (Mar 2025 ethics complaint/Navasota); Scribd (Feb 2025 press release); Bluebonnet News (2022 arrest).

• Vela: Newswest9/Odessa American/MRT (Oct/Nov 2025 Odessa resignation/severance).

• Interviews/search/withdrawals: User-provided schedule; 2nd Life Media (Jan 2026 articles on finalists’ exits, transparency push). No final appointment as of early February 2026.

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