Portales manager job has 37 applicants

Curry County’s jail administrator, the executive director of Portales’ Chamber of Commerce and the deputy director of the Eastern Plains Council of Governments are among 37 applicants for Portales’ vacant city manager position.

The city released the applicants’ names last week in response to an Inspection of Public Records Act request from The News.

Interim City Manager T.J. Cathey said the position will remain open until “the right person” is found to fill it.

The city began accepting applications soon after Sarah Austin was fired in early April. Cathey, the city’s fire chief, has said repeatedly he is not interested in the job long-term.

City officials posted online they’re looking for someone with three to five years experience in management of a local government with a population of at least 10,000, and someone with “strong planning skills” who is “customer oriented.”

The online application states the Portales City Council was to begin reviewing applications on May 17, with bi-weekly reviews thereafter.

At least three of the applicants are well known locally, already in high-profile positions:

n Mark Gallegos has been administrator at the Curry County jail for eight years, in two different stints.

“Operating a detention center is equivalent to overseeing a city,” Gallegos said when asked about the job on Friday.

“Health, safety, welfare, and infrastructure are key elements to be successful. I am honored to have the opportunity to interview and share my career and educational highlights.”

n Stephen Hardin was named executive director of the Portales/Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce early this year, succeeding Karl Terry who retired. Hardin grew up in Portales and has taught classes at local colleges and universities for the past 15 years. He’s also director of development for New Mexico Christian Children’s Home and is a member of the Screen Actors Guild.

Asked about his interest in the city position, he said:

“I think this is a role that takes wisdom, stamina, heart and discernment. This is a position where leadership is key and that means you know when to listen, and how to listen, know when to speak and in what manner to speak. … No one is perfect. And we are all continually learning, at least we should strive to be doing so.”

n Vincent Soule is deputy director of Eastern Plains Council of Governments. He is an active community volunteer and graduate of Eastern New Mexico University.

In response to a question from The News about his qualifications, he said: “Through the Council of Governments, I have provided technical support to 30 unique local governments. This includes providing managers with policy and other support to enhance eastern New Mexico. My support through local governments has secured more than $30 million in grant monies for various infrastructure projects. I believe with my experience with these local governments, which includes Portales, I can provide the city of Portales with proper management and efficiency of operations.”

City officials provided additional information about each candidate, including current city and most recent job duty or employer, in an email to The News. The other 34 are:

Mel Grassel, Phoenix, optimization specialist; Michael Skavroneck, Clovis, aircraft maintenance manager; Angelica Armijo, Portales, Social Security administrator;

Hunter Nadeau, Portales, Alvarado Restaurant Nation;

Khira Whitehead, Melrose, municipal clerk;

John Bamforth, Portales, Comcast; Jackson Dunn, Buffalo, N.Y., UPS package handler; Eli Luna, Roswell, legal aid; Fred Ventresco, Pinetops, N.C., town administrator; Mark Silva, Clovis, Wright Overhead Door; Anthony Gunter, Bovina, interior electrician;

Edgar De La Torre, Portales, overnight merchandiser;

Noah Bond, Derby, VT, town manager; Tammy Salczynski, Portales, teaching assistant;

Brenda Patterson, Lubbock, J & B Trailers Inc.;

Christopher Baca, Portales, program specialist;

Terry Terziu, Sothern Pines, N.C., planning and inspection director; Darlene Ditmore, Rogers, Coronado Care Center; John Mascaro, Elephant Butte, city manager/fire chief; Patrick Richardson, Britton’s Neck, S.C., Conifer Health/East Copper Medical Center; Jennifer Gorder, Greensboro, N.C., maintenance coordinator;

Howard Campbell, Govington, Ga., grants manager;

Tara Ewert, Portales, front desk associate;

Lariann Baglien, Clovis, career consultant; Erika Genty, Shawnee, Okla., homeless program director; Christopher Moyer, Portales, field service technician; Richard Rose, Gulfport, Miss., town administrator; Sean Domis, Portales, tax preparer; Richard Clark, Celina, Texas, risk and insurance manager; Chris Griggs, Miami, Griggs Home Remodeling; Benjamin Misselhorn, Greenville, Ill.;

Abigail Rakes, Portales, administrative support; Eva Mendoza, Plainview, Health and Human Services program specialist; Brian Scott, Vidalia, Ga., Blueline Installers.

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