Amanda Getchell Stevenson, Commission Chair & Governor Appointee – Amanda is a New Mexico native, who graduated from the New Mexico State University Journalism and Communications Department. Amanda is a Director of Marketing of Terra Vera, a New Mexico-based Agriculture Technology company with a focus on sustainability.  She is an expert on social media strategy, compliance, and community management for various industries.

Carmen Austin, Vice-Chair and EMNRD designee – Carmen is Diné (Navajo Nation) from northern Arizona. She is the Land Conservation Programs Coordinator for the New Mexico Forestry Division where she is responsible for administering two state programs – Land Conservation Incentive Act and Natural Heritage Conservation Program –  for protecting habitat that maintains and enhances biodiversity, wildlife habitat connectivity and water sources. She collaborates with local government agencies, tribes/pueblos/nations, non-governmental organizations, and land trusts. Carmen’s previous positions with Forestry Division were as the Woody Biomass Program Manager, Climate Change Specialist and Las Vegas District Forester, and she served as YCC Interim Director in 2019.  Carmen is a graduate of Northern Arizona University, School of Forestry and lives in Glorieta Pass with retired NM State Park Ranger Rick.

Alicia Littlebear, Governor Appointee – Alicia Littlebear is from Tamaya (Santa Ana Pueblo), Mvskoke Creek, Absentee Shawnee, and Euchee Nations. She has resided in New Mexico her whole life. Alicia believes we can connect back to the land by running. She has been a part of Bears Ears Prayer Run Alliance, Run to Chaco and other prayer runs to protect, pray, and bring awareness to these sacred sites. She is happy to serve on the YCC Board.

Marlene Yanez, Governor Appointee – Marlene is a Fronteriza, a woman from the border, and good food advocate who lives in Sunland Park, NM. She has worked in the non-profit sector for over a decade and currently works at La Semilla Food Center as a Program Director for the Community Education Program. Her work endeavors to create innovative and culturally inclusive food justice programs for youth and adults in the Paso del Region in Dona Ana County and El Paso, TX.

Ron Hannan, Governor Appointee – Ron received a formal education in natural resource management from Ohio State and Utah State Universities, providing the background for a satisfying 31 1/2 year careeer with the US Forest Service. As a child, he gained an informal outdoor education by roaming the hills and woodlots of south-central Ohio. Ron spent a summer on a YCC crew improving many Ohio State Parks. His crew ranged from Cleveland inner-city youth to Appalachian farm kids. His YCC experience helped him develop leadership and personal relationship skills, and guided him to pursue his education and career choices in natural resources. He is honored to be part of providing these same opportunities to the youth of New Mexico.

Timothy Raphael, Governor Appointee – Tim has spent his career working at the intersection of environmental policy, politics, and communications with a focus on land conservation and climate issues. He has managed public finance, education, and outreach campaigns for the Trust for Public Land, The Nature Conservancy, and the Environmental Defense Fund. Tim is a graduate of Carleton College and lives in Dixon, NM, with his wife, Kate. They try to lure their three grown children home for hikes and farm chores as often as possible. 

Maria Lohmann, State Land Office Designee – Maria was born and raised in Gallup, NM where she graduated from Gallup High School, and worked for the Gallup – McKinley County Youth Conservation Corps building trails at the High Desert Trail System and at Red Rock Park. Maria went to the University of New Mexico where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science, and her Master’s Degree in Community and Regional Planning. She moved to Santa Fe in 2013 to work for Santa Fe County Open Space and Trails Program, where she gained experience in developing recreation opportunities, managing natural resources, and promoting outdoor stewardship. In 2023, Maria joined the New Mexico State Land Office as the Outdoor Recreation Program Manager. Maria lives in Santa Fe with her cat, Howie.

Ben Lukoski – Public Education Department Appointee

Ben Lukoski joins the YCC Commission from the Public Education Department and the College and Career Readiness Bureau. Before starting with PED, he spent a decade as a high school counselor around the state at Cleveland High School in Rio Rancho, Bernalillo, Cloudcroft, and Alamogordo public schools. Ben got his started his career in education while serving in AmeriCorps as a City Year corps member working in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Ben earned his master’s degree in counseling from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles where he also worked as an academic coach and tutor for scholarship athletes. Ben grew up in Ripon Wisconsin, lives in Placitas, and is an avid trail runner and golfer.  

VACANT – Children, Youth and Families Department Designee