Alamogordo City Manager Finalists: Transparency Push Continues as Melancon Declined to Date to Respond to Key Questions

Alamogordo, New Mexico – As the City of Alamogordo advances in its prolonged search for a permanent city manager, executive session interviews with the remaining finalists are underway this week. This marks the latest effort to end a decade-long pattern of high turnover, interim leadership, and recruitment challenges that have impacted fiscal stability, project timelines, and public trust.

To promote openness in the process, AlamogordoTownNews.org and KALHRadio.org reached out to the external applicants with a set of targeted questions. The outreach aimed to allow residents—approximately 30,000 daily readers and listeners across the platforms—to gain direct insight into the candidates’ backgrounds, visions, and suitability for the role.

Strong community backing has emerged for Acting City Manager Dr. Stephanie Hernandez, who has accumulated 27 months in interim and assistant roles. She has been praised for steering fiscal corrections, implementing performance-based budgeting, and maintaining operational continuity amid persistent leadership changes.

Two candidates provided full, detailed responses: Dr. Stephanie Hernandez and external applicant David A. Vela, ICMA-CM. As of publication, finalist Theogene (Theo) Melancon has not replied to the submitted questions.

In the interest of full transparency, the news team is publishing the exact questions emailed to Mr. Melancon, along with his status of “NO RESPONSE” as of press time. Should Mr. Melancon provide answers at a later date, this coverage will be updated accordingly.

The questions submitted to Mr. Melancon were:

• Please tell us about the positive highlights and any controversies with your role in Dickinson, Texas? No Response as of Press Time- if a later response is submitted we will update news coverage. 

• What is your relationship with Joseph Turner and what is your affiliation with him if any?  No Response as of Press Time- if a later response is submitted we will update news coverage.

• Please explain the controversy in the application process in March of last year you withdrew from?  No Response as of Press Time- if a later response is submitted we will update news coverage.

• Please explain why you are interested in Alamogordo?  No Response as of Press Time- if a later response is submitted we will update news coverage.

• Do you have any experience interfacing with the military in your prior roles? When what was accomplished if so?  No Response as of Press Time- if a later response is submitted we will update news coverage.

• The more successful city managers from the past had a good working and transparent relationship with our radio station KALHRadio.org and our news staff. What would you do as a CM to build that relationship?  No Response as of Press Time- if a later response is submitted we will update news coverage.

• Finally have you had any correspondence, meetings calls or interfacing with any member of the commission or outside groups such as the Builders Association, Chamber of Commerce, or any other business organizations in Alamogordo as a part of your due diligence. If so who and when?  No Response as of Press Time- if a later response is submitted we will update news coverage.

Mr. Melancon, who previously served as city manager in Dickinson, Texas (from 2021 until parting ways by mutual agreement in early 2025 amid reported community division and turbulence), is one of the external finalists to be interviewed in February 2026.. His background includes credentials as ICMA-CM, a J.D., and an M.P.A., with recent work as a consultant and lecturer.

The questions touch on notable aspects of his record, including his tenure in Dickinson (which involved post-crisis recovery efforts following his predecessor’s issues, but also a 2022 domestic disturbance incident leading to temporary administrative leave before reinstatement), a March 2025 withdrawal as the lone finalist for city manager in Navasota, Texas (shortly before a scheduled council vote, citing misinformation as a distraction), and an ethics complaint filed against him in early 2025 during the Navasota process (alleging ICMA code violations related to conduct and public trust, involving associate Joseph Turner, who has advocated for him in professional contexts via platforms like City Manager Unfiltered and AAME).

No public information indicates direct prior military interfacing in his roles, nor specific Alamogordo outreach, though candidates often conduct due diligence independently.

This series continues to highlight the candidates and the broader context of Alamogordo’s leadership search. Our other installments feature detailed responses from Dr. Hernandez and Mr. Vela, underscoring their qualifications and perspectives.

A special note: It has been claimed by two individuals with close ties to Commissioners Rardin and Burnett that a candidate has engaged in undisclosed dialogue with local business associations and certain commissioner’s. We specifically asked each candidate whether they have politicked for the position with any local business or trade associations or engaged in any contact, emails, phone calls, or meetings with any city commissioners outside of executive session. Dr. Hernandez directly addressed this in her response, denying any such politicking. David A. Vela, ICMA-CM also denied any such politicking as well. Theogene (Theo) Melancon has not provided responses to the questions submitted. If he does we will update this news article. 

The city commission’s decision remains pending following the executive sessions.

AlamogordoTownNews.org and KALHRadio.org will provide updates as the process unfolds, prioritizing public access to information in this important civic matter.

More News from Alamogordo

• Mescalero Apache Tribe to Host Public Meeting on Proposed Land Exchange with New Mexico State Land Office Land Exchange with New Mexico State Land Office a topic of public discussion...
• Alamogordo City Manager Candidate Dr. Stephanie Hernandez Shares Detailed Responses on Tenure, Vision, and Transparency Alamogordo City Manager Candidate Dr. Stephanie Hernandez Shares Responses in City Manager search -part 2 in series.