The Atrisco Heritage Foundation was created and is operated exclusively for the purposes of promoting and preserving the ancestral and cultural heritage of the general community of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the history of the Atrisco Land Grant. As a community partner we seek out opportunities to provide support to community members that serve to enhance their lives. We recognize that improving the conditions of a community may take many forms so we focus in areas such as economic development, education and cultural forms of betterment. The Atrisco Heritage Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) private operating foundation.
El Campo Santo, Inc. owns and operates Atrisco's three cemeteries: San Jose de Armijo, Santa Clara and Evangelico. The purpose of El Campo Santo is to assist families during a time of loss and a time of need. We aid our customers by providing a high level of service and support at an affordable price. Our commitment to service does not end with the funeral service. It is our objective to continue our service and commitment to the community by maintaining and improving the cemetery grounds so that future visits with loved ones can be enjoyed and experienced in the best possible manner. El Campo Santo, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c) (13) corporation.
Ascend Business Services was created to improve the back office operations of New Mexico Charter Schools. Ascend achieves this goal by providing CFO level competencies to our communityâ€TMs charter schools thus increasing their ability to mitigate risk and scale student growth. Moreover, in a targeted fashion, Ascend attempts to disrupt the business service market for charter schools by supplying higher quality services and simultaneously reducing price points for services thus upending the current market norm. Ascend Business Services contributes to the operational efficiency of New Mexico Charter Schools and educational outcomes for its young students because it helps charter schools improve their operations, maximize the use of their lean budgets and grow their school populations. Ascend Business Services in currently pursuing status as a non-profit 501(c) (3) corporation.
Rio Grande Educational Collaborative offers academic based before and after school programming to children statewide. RGECâ€TMs vision is to dedicate our organization to preparing children, family and community for life-long success. We provide pathways to success through the development, application and management of services to children from all walks of life. We utilize two education models to ensure a high quality and unique environment for our children. The E-Cubed Model enrichment model exclusive to our program, and the four corners teaching strategy. Our highly qualified program staff consistently receives professional development to ensure strong skill levels. We take all of these measures to ensure a creative and exciting way for children to learn while enjoying this supplemental part of their school day. The Rio Grande Educational Collaborative is a non-profit 501(c) (3) corporation.
Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerqueâ€TMs (MSA) mission is to promote culture, arts & excellence in art education demonstrating Albuquerqueâ€TMs ethnic Heart & Soul. Through MSA a foundation for life-long participation in the arts is possible. MSA builds bridges for inter-cultural appreciation in the Mariachi musical genre by encouraging and allowing interested parties who want to learn and develop musical skills, allowing for an increase in understanding of this musical and cultural art form or by providing the opportunity to simply be entertained through concerts offered. All of this and much more can be achieved through programs and opportunities offered in MSA. MSA is continuously contributing to the cultural understanding and appreciation of folk and Mexican music. Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque is a non-profit 501(c) (3) corporation.
Atrisco Oil & Gas, LLC exists to explore and monetize the mineral rights of the Atrisco Land Grant. Energy resource development is not new to the land grant. The first commercial oil and gas development began on March 1920 when David J. Metzgar, then president of the Atrisco board of Trustees, signed the first lease to an outside interest to explore and develop oil and natural gas resources. In 2006, SunCal Companies, of Irvine, Calif., acquired Westland and while the surface lands were sold, mineral rights were retained by land grant shareholders. The Westland board decided to create a for-profit corporation for future oil and gas ventures with income and profits to be disbursed to the new unit holders of this company. Subsequently, from the land grant sale in 2006 a newly formed company spun out; Atrisco Oil & Gas, LLC.
Mr. Sanchez was born and raised in Albuquerque’s south valley, and attended Rio Grande High School.
He attended Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business with an emphasis in shopping center management and marketing.
During the last nineteen years, Mr. Sanchez has been an active member in the International Council of Shopping Centers serving as the State Director for New Mexico and Government Relations Chairman. Mr. Sanchez is also Chairman of the Board for the New Mexico Retail Association; past Board member and chairman of the Hispano Chamber of Commerce; Central NM Workforce Connection Board member and past honorary Commander at Kirtland Air Force Base.
Mr. Sanchez has been a past President and active member of the Uptown Progress Team; past board member of the NM chapter of National Association of Office & Industrial Properties (NAIOP); City of Albuquerque Lodgers Tax Advisory Board; New Mexico Advertising Federation board; past chairman of the Albuquerque / Bernalillo County Air Quality Control Board; past Board member of Westland Development; FBI Citizens Academy graduate; Salary Commissioner for Mayor / City Council and sits on the Small Business Advisory Committee for Albuquerque Public Schools Superintendent Winston Brooks.
Charles Peña retired from Safeway Stores after 19 years of employment. During part of that time, he was a member of the Retail Clerk’s Union where he sat on two negotiating committees and twice ran for the Presidency of the Union. Mr. Peña attended the University of New Mexico and the University of Albuquerque, majoring in business courses. Since 1993, he owned and operated CJ’s New Mexico Food Restaurant in Albuquerque until its sale in 2004
Thaddeus Lucero was born and raised in Albuquerque’s North Valley and graduated from Valley High School in 1976. In 1977 he moved to Seattle, Washington where he graduated from the University of Washington with a B.A. in Urban Planning in 1981. He attended the JFK School of Government-Harvard University Program for Senior Executives in July 1996. He is currently a member of the American Planning Association, a non-profit public interest and research organization representing 39,000 practicing planners, officials, and citizens involved in urban and rural planning issues.
Mr. Lucero is currently the the Director of Planning and General Services for the Mid-Region Council of Governments where he oversees transportation and rural planning, workforce development, finance and purchasing. Prior to this position, Thaddeus was the Bernalillo County Manager for seven years where he oversees the day-to-day operations of Bernalillo County consisting of 25 departments and over 2,500 employees.
Roberta Ricci is currently the Director of Development for the CNM Foundation, focusing on raising over $1 million to support student scholarships and programs throughout CNM. Prior to this role, she worked as the Senior Alumni Director for the Anderson School of Management at UNM, concentrating on community outreach through alumni engagement and career services that included a mentorship program and ways to build and strengthen relationships between industry and student programs. Roberta started her career in higher education as the Alumni Relations Officedr for the UNM Alumni Association and worked at the university for over 8 years.
Roberta is a graduate of the University of New Mexico where she has earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.
Roberta is an Advisory Board Member of the Atrisco Heritage Foundation, Chair of the Hispanic Philanthropic Society through United Way of Central New Mexico and Board Secretary of Nuestros Valores Charter High School. She has also done voluntary work for the UNM Alumni Association’s Homecoming Committee, Lobo Living Room Committee and Scholarship Selection Committee. Through these volunteer roles, she has initiated a campus-wide community service program “Roll for the Cause” supporting the Ronald McDonald Charities of New Mexico and the Albuquerque Public Schools Homeless Project. This service project takes place during UNM’s Homecoming week.
Roberta is married to Keith Ricci and they have two daughters, Marissa 23 and Elena 18. She eas born and raised in Albuquerque’s South Valley, graduated from Rio Grande High School, and is an Atrisco Land Grant heir on both her mother’s and father’s side. Dedicated to Preserving Our Land Grant History Connecting Our People and Providing Opportunities for Benefit and Growth through-out the Community
Ray Mares is a graduate of the University of New Mexico where he received a B.S. degree in Business. For more than the past 15 years, he has been the owner/manager of Briteway Services in Albuquerque.
Mr. Sanchez was born and raised in Albuquerque’s south valley, and attended Rio Grande High School.
He attended Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business with an emphasis in shopping center management and marketing.
During the last nineteen years, Mr. Sanchez has been an active member in the International Council of Shopping Centers serving as the State Director for New Mexico and Government Relations Chairman. Mr. Sanchez is also Chairman of the Board for the New Mexico Retail Association; past Board member and chairman of the Hispano Chamber of Commerce; Central NM Workforce Connection Board member and past honorary Commander at Kirtland Air Force Base.
Mr. Sanchez has been a past President and active member of the Uptown Progress Team; past board member of the NM chapter of National Association of Office & Industrial Properties (NAIOP); City of Albuquerque Lodgers Tax Advisory Board; New Mexico Advertising Federation board; past chairman of the Albuquerque / Bernalillo County Air Quality Control Board; past Board member of Westland Development; FBI Citizens Academy graduate; Salary Commissioner for Mayor / City Council and sits on the Small Business Advisory Committee for Albuquerque Public Schools Superintendent Winston Brooks.
Charles Peña retired from Safeway Stores after 19 years of employment. During part of that time, he was a member of the Retail Clerk’s Union where he sat on two negotiating committees and twice ran for the Presidency of the Union. Mr. Peña attended the University of New Mexico and the University of Albuquerque, majoring in business courses. Since 1993, he owned and operated CJ’s New Mexico Food Restaurant in Albuquerque until its sale in 2004
Thaddeus Lucero was born and raised in Albuquerque’s North Valley and graduated from Valley High School in 1976. In 1977 he moved to Seattle, Washington where he graduated from the University of Washington with a B.A. in Urban Planning in 1981. He attended the JFK School of Government-Harvard University Program for Senior Executives in July 1996. He is currently a member of the American Planning Association, a non-profit public interest and research organization representing 39,000 practicing planners, officials, and citizens involved in urban and rural planning issues.
Mr. Lucero is currently the the Director of Planning and General Services for the Mid-Region Council of Governments where he oversees transportation and rural planning, workforce development, finance and purchasing. Prior to this position, Thaddeus was the Bernalillo County Manager for seven years where he oversees the day-to-day operations of Bernalillo County consisting of 25 departments and over 2,500 employees.
Roberta Ricci is currently the Director of Development for the CNM Foundation, focusing on raising over $1 million to support student scholarships and programs throughout CNM. Prior to this role, she worked as the Senior Alumni Director for the Anderson School of Management at UNM, concentrating on community outreach through alumni engagement and career services that included a mentorship program and ways to build and strengthen relationships between industry and student programs. Roberta started her career in higher education as the Alumni Relations Officedr for the UNM Alumni Association and worked at the university for over 8 years.
Roberta is a graduate of the University of New Mexico where she has earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.
Roberta is an Advisory Board Member of the Atrisco Heritage Foundation, Chair of the Hispanic Philanthropic Society through United Way of Central New Mexico and Board Secretary of Nuestros Valores Charter High School. She has also done voluntary work for the UNM Alumni Association’s Homecoming Committee, Lobo Living Room Committee and Scholarship Selection Committee. Through these volunteer roles, she has initiated a campus-wide community service program “Roll for the Cause” supporting the Ronald McDonald Charities of New Mexico and the Albuquerque Public Schools Homeless Project. This service project takes place during UNM’s Homecoming week.
Roberta is married to Keith Ricci and they have two daughters, Marissa 23 and Elena 18. She eas born and raised in Albuquerque’s South Valley, graduated from Rio Grande High School, and is an Atrisco Land Grant heir on both her mother’s and father’s side. Dedicated to Preserving Our Land Grant History Connecting Our People and Providing Opportunities for Benefit and Growth through-out the Community
Ray Mares is a graduate of the University of New Mexico where he received a B.S. degree in Business. For more than the past 15 years, he has been the owner/manager of Briteway Services in Albuquerque.
