YCC Commission and Public Meetings

Amanda is a New Mexico native, who graduated from the New Mexico State University Journalism and Communications Department. She’s been a Communications Specialist for Strategies 360, a Seattle-based communications firm; a Marketing Assistant with Lavu, Inc., one of the largest tech companies in New Mexico; and a Marketing Manager with Canadian-based iAnthus Capital Management. Amanda owns and runs her own marketing consulting group, Middle Manda. She is an expert on social media strategy, compliance, and community management for various industries.

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.

Mandi joined the N.M. Public Education Department in November 2020 following her service as the 2020 N.M. Teacher of the Year. She started teaching in Bernalillo Public Schools in 2011 and taught third and fourth grade students during her years there. Torrez, a Level III teacher, was named the 2019 Teacher of the Year for Bernalillo Public Schools. She currently works as the PED Teacher Liaison and coordinates teacher leadership and communications for teachers across the state, including producing an education podcast that she started as Teacher of the Year. Torrez has served as a Policy Fellow for Teach Plus New Mexico and is a board partner with the N.M. National Board Certified Teachers. She also is a board member and secretary of the N.M. State Teachers of the Year organization. Torrez earned her master’s degree from Boston’s Wheelock College in Integrated Elementary and Special Education. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado and worked in the journalism field prior to becoming a teacher. She has a preschool student and a second grader in N.M. public schools and helps coach her daughter’s Little League softball team. She lives in Rio Rancho with her husband, Russell Contreras.

Carmen is Diné (Navajo Nation) from northern Arizona. She is the Climate Change Specialist for the New Mexico Forestry Division where she is responsible for implementing strategies of the Forest Action Plan that incorporate climate change science and adaptation and mitigation measures into forestry practices. These practices provide technical assistance to private forest landowners and allow the Forestry Division to participate with cooperators and collaboratives interested in natural resource management and watershed protection. Carmen has previously held positions as the Woody Biomass Program Manager in Santa Fe and District Forester on the Las Vegas District for the Forestry Division. Carmen also served as YCC Interim Director for a short duration. She is proficient on forest practices for the Commission. Carmen is a graduate of Northern Arizona University, School of Forestry and currently lives in Glorieta Pass with retired NM State Park Ranger Rick.

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.

Dana has a B.A. in Political Science from Colorado College and an M.A. from the University of New Mexico in Parks, Recreation and Environmental Education. Dana oversees the Surface Resources Division which manages watershed health, site remediation, illegal dumping, biological and cultural resources, investigations and compliance across 9 million acres of state trust land. The Division also manages over 3,500 active agricultural leases.

Dana was Director of Education for Audubon New Mexico and the Randall Davey Audubon Center for six years. She is a former President and board member of the Environmental Education Association of New Mexico, a former Chair of the Youth Conservation Corps Commission, and is the statewide coordinator and teacher trainer for the national Leopold Education Project (LEP). Dana is a mother and wife, and enjoys horses, birding, hiking, and mountain biking.