Focus on Artesia Summer 2015

SUMMER 2015

serving our HOME TOWN the next generation

Family Traditions at Work Reaching Kids Through Sports Caring for the People of Artesia Building Muscles and Dreams Chamber News & More!

SUMMER 2015

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FROM THE EDITOR FOCUS ON THE FAMILY BUSINESS

NINETY YEARS: FOUR GENERATIONS FOCUS ON FAITHFULNESS

FAITHFULNESS TO HIS TASK FOCUS ON COMMUNITY

YOUR PEOPLE WILL BE MY PEOPLE FOCUS ON EXPLORING LIFE

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FROM FLIP FLOPS TO SLACKS FOCUS ON HEALTHCARE

CARING FOR THE PEOPLE OF ARTESIA FOCUS ON MAINSTREET

TIME TO CELEBRATE! FOCUS ON GIVING BACK

BUSY DAD

FOCUS ON FITNESS

BUILDING MUSCLES AND DREAMS

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FOCUS ON EDUCATION

A TEACHER’S INFLUENCE PHOTOS IN FOCUS

BUFFALO SHOTGUN SCRAMBLE FOCUS ON THE CHAMBER TIDBITS AND TRIVIA

DID YOU KNOW THESE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE CITY OF CHAMPIONS?

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ABOUT THE COVER

Pictured from left are Terah Sexton, Sandra Borges, Ty Houghtaling, Anna Byers & Missy Guthrie - some of the awesome people that call Artesia home! Photo by Devon Rae Photography.

Staci Guy, Editorial Director - Jessica Kirk, Advertising Photography by Devon Rae Photography & Submitted Photos Special Contributors: Holly Delgado, Liana Swarengin, Rebecca Prendergast, Kyle Marksteiner, Bryce Pinson & the Artesia Chamber of Commerce FOCUS ON ARTESIA IS PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY AD VENTURE MARKETING

Ad Venture Marketing, Ltd. Co. • 866.207.0821 • ad-venturemarketing.com All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission of the publisher is prohibited.

Every effort was made to ensure accuracy of the information provided.

The publisher assumes no responsibility or liability for errors, changes or omissions.

SUMMER 2015 | A COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

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F O C U S from the editor

HOME HOME Three basic types of people call Artesia home:

STACI GUY

Editorial Director

FOCUS ON ARTESIA

1) those that have lived here all of their lives and have never left; 2) those who grew up here, moved off and then at some point moved back; and 3) those who were not born here but either married a native, accepted a job here, retired here or for some other reason ended up calling this fine city “home.”

I fall into the second category. I graduated from Artesia High School, moved off for college, changed colleges and moved again, made another move after college and eventually made my way back “home” after my husband and I had our firstborn son.

I would, however, go so far as to further break that category down into two subcategories: 1) those that always knew they would eventually end up back in Artesia at some point; and 2) those that swore they’d never be back but managed to eat crow and move home anyway.

I fall into the second of those subcategories as well. I had tasted the “big city” life and had no intention of ever moving back. In fact, I’m pretty sure those exact words came out of my mouth a time or two. Never. Moving.

Back.

Well, you know what they say about “never saying never,” right? I do. And here I am, proudly calling Artesia home again after years and years of swearing it off! My husband, by the way, is also an Artesia native and he shared in my sentiments, so it was twice the crow-eating experience at our house!

In putting together this issue of

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FOCUS ON ARTESIA | SUMMER 2015

Focus on Artesia, my intention was to showcase a newer generation of movers and shakers in our community.

I teetered on the fence about calling them young professionals, because it’s not really about age. I think of it as more of a generational thing.

Take Anna (Sims) Byers and Terah (Maupin) Sexton, for instance. Both women grew up in Artesia and knew, even after moving away for college and a bit beyond, that they would eventually return to their roots. After moving home, both women began to experience life in Artesia from an adult perspective, which led them to become involved in the community.

Much like me, however, Chance Chase had zero intentions of moving back, but eventually bit the bullet and moved home. He, too, dove in head-first and began making an impact on the community in his own right.

Melissa and Jamie Guthrie as well as Ty Houghtaling all grew up in Artesia, moved off and then returned with a mission to make an impact.

marrying Artesia native David Borges; the same goes for Oklahoma boy Ben Harvey, who married Artesia native Vanessa Munoz. Sandra and Ben wasted no time in adopting the City of Champions as their own and working tirelessly to make a positive impact.

They might not be natives, but you’d never know by looking!

As always, it was an honor and a privilege to put together this issue of Focus on Artesia. I enjoyed getting to meet some of the individuals featured here for the first time while also getting to connect with others I have known for many years. Being a journalist at heart, I believe we all have a story to tell, and I feel blessed to be able to share those stories with our readers!

Blessings, - Staci Guy, Editorial Director A B O U T T H E E D IT O R

Staci Guy is the editorial director of Focus on Artesia. She can be reached at staci@ad-venturemarketing.com.

While those category 1 and 2 folks are fascinating, let’s not forget the individuals in category 3. I find them perhaps the most fascinating of all! California/ Texas native Sandra Borges was lured to the Land of Enchantment after Photo by Devon Rae Photography

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F O C U S on the family business

NINETY YEARS

Four Generations - ArtesiaTrue

by Staci Guy

I

’ve known Anna (Sims) Byers most of my life and played sports either with or against her for the majority of our younger years. We are both Artesia Bulldogs through and through.

Perhaps that’s why interviewing her for this story ended up feeling more like I was chatting away the afternoon with an old friend than it did actual work. (But shhh! Don’t tell my boss!)

Having been a writer of some sort for many years, I have heard and shared countless life-stories. One thing that never gets old, however, is entering an interview thinking I know just about all there is to know about someone, only to be surprised to learn how utterly wrong that notion was. That’s exactly what happened when I sat down for a chat session interview with Anna.

“I remember when I was young, I was carrying kind of a heavy burden at one point, and I remember asking my dad, ‘Why me?’ Anna recalled. “I’ll never forget what he said, because it has become my life motto. He told me, ‘To whom much is given, much is expected.’ So that’s how I live.”

She elaborated, “I believe that if God gives you gifts, He expects you to use them to further His kingdom. I feel like I’ve been really blessed and given a lot by God and I feel like it’s important to use those gifts to further His kingdom and for Artesia’s success.”

Knowing about her competitive side,

it came as no surprise to hear her talk about helping an entire community to succeed. She loves her hometown and there’s no denying that fact. But she also thrives on success, whether it’s hers or someone else’s. The proof can be found in her high school and collegiate level softball championships, in her years as an honor student and in her career in the family insurance business. She’s the type that will succeed at just about anything she sets out to accomplish.

She was born and raised in Artesia, graduating from Artesia High School in 1996. “Artesia was a great place to grow up,” she contends, “I always knew I’d come back here. I thought I’d be back here at least to raise a family.”

about 85 hours a week and was on the road all the time.” Having a number of old high school friends nearby helped, but it didn’t take away from the fact that she had little time for a personal life. “My sister was going to be a senior in high school at the time and I was ready for a change of pace, so I decided to come home,” she admitted.

Her decision to move home led to a defining moment in her life and upon reflection, she later came appreciate her mother’s insight. “My mom told me, ‘You can come home but you can’t work for us.’ I was like, ‘Are you kidding me?’” What her mother told her next, however, made perfect sense.

“She said, ‘You liked Artesia as a kid, but you may not love it as an adult. If

While Artesia proved to be a great place to grow up, she said she still had “a lot of learning to do” after high school, so she set out for Simpson College, a private Methodist university in Iowa, where she excelled in both the classroom and on the softball field. “It was a great town with good people and I loved it there,” she shared.

After receiving a degree in accounting, she took a job in Dallas with Deloitte and Touche, an accounting firm with clients and offices all over the world. “It was such a crazy time,” she recalled. “I thought I would like it because I got to travel so much but I worked

PHOTO LEFT: Anna Byers Photo by Devon Rae Photography PHOTO RIGHT: Anna Byers, left, is the fourth generation to join her family’s insurance

business, along with her father, Gary Sims, mother, Sara Sims, and grandmother, Charlene Ward. Anna’s great-grandfather, J.S. Ward, started the business in 1925.

SUMMER 2015 | A COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

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you come to work for us and you feel like you don’t like it here, you’ll feel obligated, like you can’t leave.’ ” Her mother’s plan was for Byers to find work and live in Artesia for a while and make sure she was going to like it well enough to stay. Honoring her mother’s wishes, she took a job in the tax department of Yates Petroleum Corporation. After about a year and a half, she returned to her mother and declared, “I think I’m ready. I like it here and I want to stay.”

Surprisingly, she was not allowed to just walk in the doors of J.S. Ward & Son and claim her office. There was a process. “I had to interview with my grandmother (Charlene Ward) before I got the job,” she noted. “She asked me about my motives and things like, ‘Do you plan on working 8 to 5 or just showing up whenever you want?’ It was a real interview; she wanted to make sure my intentions were right.”

Needless to say, she got the job!

PHOTO: Pictured with Anna is her family, husband, Markey, and children Beau, Jack and Taylor.

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Again, her expectations were a far cry from reality when she finally claimed her position in the family business. She quickly learned that while her mom might have been the “enforcer” at home, her dad proved to be the more intense one at the office.

“It’s been interesting to have that relationship with my dad that I never really saw at home,” she confided.

Her family might have high expectations of her, but she’s quick to point out their supportive side as well.

“They are more supportive of me than I ever thought they would be. They would probably never have moved into Carlsbad and Roswell if not for me,” she pointed out.

It took several years, but she eventually felt as though she had earned the respect of others and began to implement her own ideas into the fabric of the company, such as additional offices in neighboring cities, a more lenient dress code and a lighter work atmosphere. “We’ve made a lot of changes,” she revealed. “This was not a very fun place to work when

I started here but things have changed and it’s definitely getting better!”

Outside of work, she continues giving back to the community and striving for success. She serves on the Artesia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Artesia General Hospital Board of Directors and a subcommittee of the Economic Development Committee. A proud mother, she can also be found coaching her son’s sports teams and volunteering with Hermosa Elementary School’s Parent Teacher Organization.

“I just love Artesia and I love that we help raise each other’s kids,” she gushed. “We really are a one-of-a-kind place.” She went on to say, “We all have baggage but we seem to look past that and help each other out a lot and want good for everyone. I like that we can see the greater good and we’re in it for Artesia’s success and not just our own success.”

J.S. Ward & Son, Inc. has been serving the insurance needs of Artesia, Eddy County and the Pecos Valley area since 1925 as a fourth generation, familyowned independent insurance agency. The company offers both personal and business insurance.

HISTORY 1925 – J.S. Ward (affectionately called Granddaddy Fritz)

founded the agency. It was originally located at the corner of First and Main Streets in Artesia in conjunction with Clyde Guy’s Service Station.

1946 – The son of J.S. Ward, E.H. Ward, joined the agency. It was at this time that the agency adopted its current name, J.S. Ward & Son, Inc.

1964 – John Knight joined the agency as a sales representative.

1975 – E.H. Ward passed away, so his wife, Charlene M.

Ward, began filling the shoes of her deceased husband. On the office wall hangs Mr. Ward’s Policy No. 8 written for Charles R. Martin, who was Mrs. Ward’s father. Also this year, Gary Sims, E.H. and Charlene Ward’s son-in-law and husband to Sara Ward Sims, joined the agency as a sales representative.

1987 – The agency adopted its first in-house computer

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2000 – The Ward Building burned in an electrical fire.

2004 – Anna Sims Byers, daughter of Gary and Sara Ward

Sims, moved home to join the family insurance agency. Also this year, a new building was constructed at the corner of Fourth and Main Streets.

2005 – The agency celebrated 80 years in business, and Gary Sims celebrated 30 years with the agency.

2010 – J.S. Ward & Son opened a Carlsbad location.

2011 – J.S. Ward & Son opened a location in Roswell.

2014 – Longtime Artesia resident Ronnie Letcher joined the agency.

CONTACT INFORMATION JSWardAndSon.com ARTESIA

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F O C U S on faithfulness

Faithfulness to His Task

Houghtaling is Reaching Out to Children and Their Families Through Sports

by Holly Delgado

“The City of Champions” is a phrase longtime Artesia residents are familiar with and for good reason.

Our town is incredibly endowed with many fine athletes. From football to tennis and everything in between, as Artesians, we are very proud of our athletes. One of those athletes is Ty Houghtaling, who declares that Artesia is a shining example of generosity, hope and community which has brought out the best in him. The community has proven to be “a city on a hill” that has given him and countless others the discipline, foundation and fundamentals needed for success.

Houghtaling grew up in the rural Artesia area of Cottonwood with his parents and two older brothers, Joby and Jeff. Taking full advantage of Artesia’s enthusiasm for sports, he played baseball until age 11 and basketball and football throughout his years at Artesia High School. Intrigued by the schemes and strategies in sports and the management of the classroom, he went on to play football at New Mexico State University and received a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and social studies. His interest in sports and education would lead him to a 13-year career as a teacher and coach in the Artesia Public School District. The genuine love he received from his teachers and coaches and the high standards they set throughout his schooling, along with the support of God and his family, gave him the confidence and clear direction he needed to succeed PHOTO: Ty Houghtaling Photo by Devon Rae Photography

as a student and in turn as a teacher and coach. Little did he know the path God had for him would eventually lead him to embark on revolutionizing the way kids’ sports leagues are organized.

After his years working in the public school system, he felt the call into full time Christian ministry and was hired as the Family Life Minister of First Baptist Church Artesia, where he feels he is challenged daily with his desire to serve our community in a godly way.

Combined with his love of God and sports and a desire to see families stay strong, he has implemented with the help of local fellowships, his church family and mentors a “not of this world” sports league called Seek 1st Sports. The league is currently offering basketball and football, and it allows children to

learn about God while being taught the fundamentals of the game and participating in healthy competition.

While Houghtaling feels winning is important, he is learning there is a radically skewed emphasis on the desire to win, as well as the other extreme that competition is “evil.” He stated, “Winning athletic games is very important, it reflects effort and attitude. I’ve always stressed trying to win, preparing to win and expecting to win, but winning your 10-year-old Little League championship pales in comparison to learning how to win in life.”

In an effort to deter the “my kid or no one” mentality that can destroy

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you. - Matthew 6:33 SUMMER 2015 | A COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

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relationships, the Seek 1st Sports leadership team works to make a better way known. With Matthew 6:33 as the scriptural basis for the league’s name, as well as a scripture which he bases his family’s daily decisions on, he humbly admits that he may not be getting “everything right.” However, his desire is to be found faithful to this great task God has given him: to reach out to children and their families through sports. Since its inception two years ago, with constant evaluation and prayer, Seek 1st Sports has seen change. In an effort to keep families from the overwhelming schedule sports can bring, the league has gone from playing weekly games to playing only Saturday tournaments. In the beginning coaches were encouraged to practice their teams throughout the week; now, practices are large-scale as one big team where they all can learn about God and the game together.

The traditional game format has been altered, especially for the younger ages, to be more fundamentals-driven resulting in less of a showcase for individual performances. The concept of being part of something bigger than yourself, like a team, is something that is taught throughout each season.

For more information about this incredible sports league, contact First Baptist Church, located at 322 W. Grand Avenue, at 575-748-1308 or visit their website at www.FBCArtesia.org.

PHOTO TOP TO BOTTOM: 1) Ty Houghtaling reads a passage from the Bible to the young participants during halftime of a Seek 1st Basketball game. 2) Participants in the Seek 1st Basketball program work on group learning drills in preparation for one of their two seasonal tournaments. 3) A Seek 1st athlete works on his ball-handling skills. 4) Aside from coaching the Seek 1st program, Ty Houghtaling also serves as the Family Life Minister at Artesia’s First Baptist Church. Photos by Holly Delgado

Seek 1st Sports strives to show children that we can be gracious winners and gracious losers, something that they can use throughout life. Building relationships with each other, learning good sportsmanship and working as a team are all lifelong attributes instilled in kids who are a part of this league. By creating space for healthy competition and improving skills while fostering hope through Christ, kids and parents alike are definitely blessed to have the opportunity to participate in this league. Parents are utilized as coaches and become encouragers on the court or field to help kids to do their best and never give up.

The Seek 1st leadership team has found it challenging to change the worldly views on kids’ sports leagues.

A different perspective or change in something so many have come to know and do has the tendency to be seen as negative. However, their desire as leaders of this league is to use all the things they have come to know and love about sports and build on those to equip children to win on and off the court or field, all the while relaying the message that you can serve God and be a great athlete.

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FOCUS ON ARTESIA | SUMMER 2015

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F O C U S on community

Your People will be My People

by Liana Swarengin

“W

here you go, I will go.”

Though originally spoken by a widow to her mother-inlaw, this well-known Bible verse is one that couples often vow to one another. That certainly seems to be the case for Sandra Borges, who, after marrying her husband David, moved to Artesia and made his hometown her own.

Sandra Borges was born in Hanford, California and is the oldest of five children. Her family moved to San Angelo, Texas when she was in the second grade, and it was there that she and her siblings learned what it means to work hard and pursue dreams.

“Growing up on a dairy farm, there was certainly never a dull moment,” Borges recalled. “We were always busy.

All of us kids did our best to help out.”

She feels blessed to have grown up the way she did. “Most kids don’t get to see the ins and outs of where food comes from,” she explained. “We got to see how it all works, and I’m so glad that we grew up in an environment like that.”

She attended Miles High School, a small school near San Angelo with only 45 kids in her graduating class.

“My parents are really the foundation for my desire to get involved with things,” she affirmed. “They expected

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us to give 110% all the time and to do our best even at the smallest tasks.”

She became involved in just about every school activity possible: student council, band and several other organizations. “I witnessed both my dad and my mom work 24/7, and watching them is what instilled such a strong work ethic within myself,” she admitted.

After graduating high school in 2001, she went on to study at Angelo State University. She graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication and public relations and a minor in Spanish. “Having a degree in Spanish felt like the right thing to do since that’s what we spoke at home,” she disclosed. “My parents are from Mexico, and they came to the United States to live out the American dream. They taught me that anything is possible with hard work.”

After graduation, Borges worked for Dairy Max, Inc., a non-profit dairy council representing 950 dairy farm families and 31 million people. Its territory spans Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas. She met her husband in the fall of 2005, and they were married in the summer of 2007.

About a month after their wedding, the Borgeses moved to Artesia, his hometown, and it was then that she began working for Vickie Townley

at First American Bank. “I worked there for two years,” she remembered.

“Vickie was such a great mentor. She’s the one who really taught me how to set things up, like board meetings and other things that require a lot of organization.”

After leaving her position at the bank, she began working at Santo Petroleum, where she remains to this day. “I am the executive assistant to Peyton Yates and act as the public relations director for both Peyton Yates’ family and the company,” she explained. She is also involved in the Artesia Library Foundation and the Estelle Yates Foundation. She serves as board president for the Artesia Arts Council and is the coordinator for the Artesia Arts and Culture District.

“Mainly, I try to keep Peyton organized,” she laughed. “His enthusiasm for community involvement is contagious though, and no day is the same for us.”

There are a slew of ongoing projects taking place in Artesia, and one of her responsibilities is to make sure that everything is on track and going according to plan while fielding phone calls and emails. “Right now I’m helping to oversee Phase I of the renovation project at Woodbine Cemetery,” she stated, “as well as the renovation project for the Assurance Home (an organization that provides FOCUSNM.COM

a home environment for boys and girls ages 12 to 18 who are homeless or considered at-risk).”

Earlier this year, she helped organize “Marchiversary” at the Artesia Public Library, a month-long celebration full of fun events to commemorate the library’s one-year anniversary.

“It’s been a very exciting year so far.

Working with Peyton, learning from all of his experience, seeing how involved he is in everything—it really motivates you. After leaving the room with him, I think, ‘Let’s do this! Let’s get this done!’ It’s been a very interesting journey so far.”

One of her main passions is providing high quality arts and entertainment for the people of Artesia through her work with the Artesia Arts Council. “We are able to bring in shows that people would typically expect to find in bigger cities,” she noted. “I love that we have shows and programs for both kids and adults to enjoy.”

Through the Artesia Arts Council, she has worked closely alongside Artesia Public Schools to ensure that students receive a wide variety of exposure to different elements of the arts, such as dance, drama and historical reenactments.

“Artesia is such a great town and a wonderful place to live,” she confessed.

“Getting involved here has been easy.

Everyone was so friendly to me when I first arrived, and it’s been a lot of fun helping organize events!”

Part of the driving force behind all of her hard work is the youth of Artesia. “Our kids are going to be our future leaders someday,” she mused. “If I can help make a difference in just one person’s life, well, that’s my biggest goal.”

She feels that most of the community leaders of Artesia would agree they all want to leave this town better than they found it and help continue to make it a great place to live. “I just want to make a difference. I want to create a positive impact for future generations,” she insisted.

The Artesia Arts and Cultural District will soon launch its first annual signature event, PHOTO: Sandra Borges Photo by Devon Rae Photography

which she is excited about. “This is the kind of thing we’re hoping will put us on the map, so to speak,” she acknowledged. “There are 12 people on the steering committee, and through a lot of hard work, we will be hosting the Red Dirt Black Gold event on August 29.”

The goal, she said, is to produce something unique to Artesia, something no one else can necessarily replicate as their own. “This is a way for us to honor all of the hard-working people in our oil industry and we are ready to get it going.”

The event will consist of a parade in the morning, Oilfield Olympics and corporate cook-offs in the afternoon, and some great music well into the night. “The Turnpike Troubadours and Cody Canada and The Departed will be our headliners,” she divulged, “and the great thing is that these concerts will be free to the public. We will have music going from 3 p.m. until 11 p.m.”

Borges is also excited about the potential team building experiences that will take place throughout the day, as well as the community involvement in the parade. “I am so thankful to all of our sponsors who have pulled together to make this happen,” she emphasized. “Since this is our first annual event, we want to kick it off the right way and we want it done well.”

She confessed that upon moving here she never dreamed she would become so involved, yet she is amazed by all

of the wonderful opportunities that have come her way. “I really have to attribute my success to my family,” she concluded. “They taught me early on to get involved and to volunteer, something I hope to pass down to my family and others as well.”

For more information about upcoming community events or things that might be of interest to the general public, please visit www.ArtesiaACD.org.

“This is the kind of thing we’re hoping will put us on the map….We will be hosting the Red Dirt Black Gold event on August 29.”

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FOCUS ON ARTESIA | SUMMER 2015

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ENMU-Roswell OFFERS UNIQUE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

With more than 70 certificates and associate degrees in close to 50 programs, Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell is one of the most comprehensive community colleges in New Mexico. Fall classes begin August 24. Students can apply and register online at www.roswell.enmu.edu or on campus during regular business hours: Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. until noon.

Two unique programs are now enrolling new students: Aviation Maintenance Technology and Respiratory Therapy.

Classes in the Aviation Maintenance Technology program begin August 17. Incoming students must report to the AMT building for orientation on August 12. Students can complete the program in 14.5 months and receive a Certificate of Completion approved by the Federal Aviation Administration.

This is one of the fastest Airframe and Powerplant (A and P) certification programs in the country. ENMU-Roswell’s instructors train students for a successful career in aviation maintenance. For more information online go to www.roswell. enmu.edu/amt or send a message to aviation@roswell.enmu. edu or call 1-888-AV8-ENMU. The Respiratory Therapy Program is accepting students for a new class to start August 24. This is the only Respiratory Therapy Program in Southeastern New Mexico. Respiratory therapists specialize in caring for patients with lung and heart issues. They aid in the prevention, testing, and treatment of cardiopulmonary disease, such as asthma, emphysema, and sleep disorders. Respiratory Therapists are employed in a variety of settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, aeromedical transport, and sleep labs. “Employers are highly satisfied with our graduates,” said Gina Buldra, director of the Respiratory Therapy Program. “We boast a very high pass rate on national board exams.” For more information about the program, contact Buldra at (575) 624-7217.

To meet with an advisor, call the Advising and Retention Center at (575) 624-7294. For registration information, call (575) 624-7141.

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F O C U S on exploring life

From Flip Flops on the Beach to Slacks and a Corner Office THIRD-GENERATION CHASE MAKES HIS WAY BACK HOME

by Staci Guy

As his last name might indicate, Chance Chase admits he was “raised in the offices” of Mack Energy Corporation.

He is the third-generation of Chase men to make a living in the oil and gas industry, but Chance’s path back home wasn’t exactly the expected one, at least for him anyway.

“I didn’t plan on moving back here,” he quipped. “When I was younger people would ask me if I was going to come back and run my grandfather’s company and I’d say, ‘Nope. I’m going to do my own thing.’”

Fast forward to 2015 and Chance proudly calls Artesia home again. Not only that, but he found and married a girl, convinced her to move to Artesia and brought two of his college classmates from Colorado on board at his family’s company, both of which also moved to Artesia. Chance might not have initially planned on moving back, but after spending several years, two states and another country away, he realized Artesia is exactly where he is meant to be.

After graduating from Artesia High School in 2003, Chance ventured east to Rollins College in Florida where he obtained a degree in psychology focusing on child development.

“When I went to college I thought I would study political science, but I quickly learned it wasn’t what I was expecting,” he confessed. “My mentality didn’t mesh well with others.” He learned his political viewpoints differed greatly from those PHOTO: Chance Chase

of his classmates on the east coast. He admitted he lost his way at that point and sought help from his guidance counselors. “As a kid I went to Kamp Kanakuk in Branson, Missouri and I loved it, so every summer when I was in college I went back to the ‘kamps’ and worked as a counselor. I realized that was my passion. I wanted to work with kids and I thought maybe I would own my own camps one day or something like that.”

Toward the end of his college career in Rollins, Chance began preparing for life after graduation. He realized that while his passion could be found in working with children, making a career in the field of psychology would require many more years of schooling, something that definitely did not pique his interest. In terms of starting his own camps, his parents pointed out the fact that while he had experience in working with children, he did not, however, have adequate experience in the business world. This, they reasoned, would pose a problem to owning his own camps. Chance’s answer to his dilemma? “I graduated in December and decided to backpack through Europe until the summer,” he shared. “I figured that would give me plenty of time to figure out what I wanted to do with my life.”

While in Europe Chance was able to explore, conduct research, and see the world from a different perspective.

“My parents were very supportive,” he insisted. “They wanted me to see the world and realize there were other people in the world with different views than me. But it was also very structured! I had to have an itinerary and I had to check in every day!”

Upon his return from Europe, Chance decided it was time to get serious about his career and his future. The family business came calling. “It was 2008, which was right about the time the economy crashed, and I knew it would take me years to make a living, so I decided to enroll at Western State (Colorado University) in Gunnison, Colorado so I could study to be a landman and eventually move back here to work in the family business,” he shared. “I got my first degree at the beach, and I said if I have to go back, I’m going to the mountains!”

The move turned out to be exactly what Chance needed. “It was probably the best decision I’ve ever made,” he admits. “At Rollins I got to see the alternative way of thinking from what I’d grown up around, and at Western I got to see more of what I grew up with but with a small influx of what I saw at Rollins. We called it the ‘hippie business environment!’ I fit in better with the students and the professors were great.”

In 2010 Chance obtained his degree in professional land resource management from Western State and immediately set his sights on the family business. “That degree was great because it took us from HR (human resources) standpoints to environmental science,” he explained.

“We got to tour mines and attend SUMMER 2015 | A COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

19

industry conferences…we got to see aspects of all different kinds of energy.”

It was the perfect training ground for the next phase of his life – going to work for his father and grandfather.

“Business was always a part of my life and I felt really at home coming back,” he acknowledged.

Upon his return to Artesia in 2010, Chance’s father, Robert Chase, welcomed his only child home with open arms, but he didn’t exactly try to make things easy on him right away.

He wanted his son to learn the ins and outs of the business, and he knew plopping him into a management position right away would not do anyone any good. “He was like, ‘You’re going to learn your way around and work your way up,” he recalled of his father’s advice. “He knew that I wouldn’t know it all, but he said, ‘You’ve got to surround yourself with the right people.’”

With his father’s advice in hand, Chance applied with Leadership New Mexico but was told his resume was “really small” and that he needed to become more involved. His next step was to talk to Hayley Klein at the Artesia Chamber of Commerce, who found plenty of ways to “get him involved.” In fact, Hayley’s efforts to help him get more involved eventually led him to meet his future wife, Claire, whom he met on a lobbying tour to Washington, D.C. Chance and Claire, who was a legislative director with Representative Steve Pearce’s office at the time, hit it off – though not initially – and realized they knew many of the same people since she was originally from Roswell. “A year from our first date I asked her to marry me,” he reminisced. “She moved down from D.C. for me and she became our government affairs person here after we got married.” Ever prideful of his wife, Chance said she is “kicking butt” and “definitely earns what she makes.” “It’s an ongoing learning experience for us, but we work really well together,” he maintained.

On his end, Chance describes his role as “having a hand in a little bit of everything.” His official title is vice president of Mack Energy and president of Buffalo Oilfield Supply.

Since his arrival in 2010, he has also brought two of his best friends on board with him, Matt Buckles, PHOTO: Chance Chase and his wife, Claire, enjoy traveling and spending time together outside the office.

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FOCUS ON ARTESIA | SUMMER 2015

originally from Colorado, and Reid Edwards, a California native. “Reid is in accounting and Matt started out in completions, went through the entire field and is now in regulatory,” he noted. “I’m really proud of them.”

Outside the office Chance is perhaps even more involved. His list of board and group affiliations ranges from advocacy to economic development to education and many things in between. One of his passion projects is serving as a board member for Goal Advocacy. “Goal Advocacy is a group dedicated to issues like economic development, oil and gas, farming, liberty and so forth,” he contended.

“It started out with issues in Southeast New Mexico; we are tired of our issues not mattering throughout the state.

Now we’re moving toward statewide issues and our goal is about educating; not only educating the public but educating ourselves about what public wants, water issues, farming issues, oil and gas – what it does, what they pay, etc.”

The group consists of business men and women from Roswell, Carlsbad, Hobbs and Artesia, and according to Chance, they’re trying to add more

people from all over state.

He is also on the local Economic Development Committee, the board of directors for the Chase Foundation and the Foundation Board for Western State Colorado University. In addition, he is also a member of Advance Artesia and is one of the youngest people to ever be selected as a New Mexico Amigo, official ambassadors for the State of New Mexico.

He says volunteering has always played an important role in his life as well, from volunteering with Relay For Life while in college to now helping with various school programs, Packs of Love and the annual Buffalo Shotgun Scramble Fundraiser.

“Basically, I do whatever I can to promote Artesia,” he expressed. “I take pride in living here. We’ve got great restaurants, there are people in place that are trying to help promote our city and make it better…If we promote it then people will want to be here. That’s really what I want to push. We’re not just football, we’re not just oil and gas – we’re Artesia!

We’re a community that takes care of one another and can still grow and diversify.”

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F O C U S on healthcare

CARING for the PEOPLE of ARTESIA

by Staci Guy

As

a child growing up in Artesia, Terah (Maupin) Sexton envisioned herself becoming a “baby doctor” one day, taking care of babies that were sick. In fact, she recalls her mother’s frustration with her at doctor’s appointments when she would spend the entire appointment playing with the instruments in the doctors’ offices. “I was always interested in science and wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can recall,” she admitted.

As time progressed and she entered high school, her mindset shifted slightly but remained in the healthcare field. “I started thinking I’d like to study physical therapy and really thought that’s what I would end up going to school for,” she related, “but that didn’t work out.”

Upon graduating from Artesia High School in 2002, Terah decided to follow in the footsteps of many of her family members and enrolled as an undergrad at Lubbock Christian University (LCU) in Lubbock, Texas.

Having completed the majority of her coursework at LCU, Sexton decided prior to graduation that she was due for a change. “A friend of mine had moved to Dallas, so I thought I’d

move up there too and finish up my undergrad work in biology at UNT (University of North Texas) and then figure out what I wanted to do from there,” she supposed.

As fate would have it, what began as a frustrating realization on her part would eventually lead to a life-altering decision. “My first semester there I had to take an intro class to biology, even though I had already taken that class and all the others at LCU; but this was their intro class, so it was a requirement,” she recalled. “I remember being so mad about having to take it, but ironically, it was in that class that I learned about the PA (physician assistant) program. It sounded exactly like something I wanted to do.”

to PA schools in the area, all of which had deadlines of September for the course work beginning the following fall semester. The timing, she figured, would give her nearly a year to take some time off and regroup before starting back to school. “I saw this one for St. Francis in Albuquerque and it had a start date of January, so I thought it would give me even more time off, assuming it started the following January,” she said with a chuckle. “But they called me in November and said, ‘We know it’s

She admitted to being on the fence at the time about entering medical school, so learning more about the PA program helped narrow her career path of choice. The more she learned about it, the more she realized it was exactly what she wanted to do.

Upon graduating from UNT with a degree in biology, she began the process of applying

PHOTO LEFT: Terah Sexton Photo courtesy of Artesia General Hospital PHOTO RIGHT: Pictured with Chance and Terah Sexton are their sons, Brooks, 4, and Tripp, 2.

SUMMER 2015 | A COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

23

“I can’t imagine doing anything else. If I had it to do over again, I’d do it exactly the same.” short notice, but we got your application and would like to interview you.’ They told me they’d give me an answer soon since it was such a short notice. It turned out their program actually stated that January, not the next one.”

So in December, she drove to Albuquerque in the snow, interviewed at St. Francis and received word the same day that she was accepted into the program. “A week and a half later I moved to Albuquerque,” she marveled. “It all happened very fast!”

While several factors played into her decision to attend St. Francis, she admitted a major one came down to what the college had to offer, namely a master’s degree in conjunction with a PA license.

With her acceptance letter in hand, Sexton began the two-and-a-halfyear journey to become a physician assistant. She spent a year and a half of straight classroom instruction followed by one full year of rotations in various specialties including family practice, pediatrics, general surgery, OB/GYN, emergency room, behavioral medicine and internal medicine. Many of her rotations were spent with specialists in Artesia and the surrounding areas primarily because she knew she wanted to move back home to Artesia upon graduation. “I worked with Doctors Abalos, Moreno and Ghandi (a former gastroenterologist in Artesia) during that time,” she remarked. “I actually worked in and around the hospital (Artesia General Hospital, or AGH) for about a year while I was in school, as well as some in Las Cruces and San Antonio, Texas.”

While she was living in Albuquerque and attending PA school, she met Chance Sexton, who would later become her husband, although she admits a relationship was the last thing she was looking for at the time. “My dad actually met him at church here,” she recalled. “He’s from Roswell but had moved here and started working at Yates. My dad said, ‘I’ve met this guy and you’ve got to meet him,’

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FOCUS ON ARTESIA | SUMMER 2015

but I wasn’t interested at the time.”

One weekend, though, fate again intervened when she came home for a friend’s baby shower. “I was exhausted and didn’t feel like driving back that night, so I decided to stay the night with my parents. We went to church that night and that’s when I finally met him. We started dating and a year later we were married!”

Upon completion of PA school, she was newly married and ready to begin her career in Artesia at AGH. Memorial Family Practice, a primary care clinic of AGH, consists of family practitioners who see patients with a variety of medical conditions and needs ranging from pediatrics to women’s health and most things in between. “A typical day for me at Memorial could include anything from suturing lacerations to casting a broken arm, treating diabetes, doing well-child checks, doing cold and cough and strep stuff, home health visits, you name it,” she exclaimed.

“No two days are ever the same, that’s for sure! I have worked at the hospital for about five years and I love it!”

In the state of New Mexico, PAs have full practice abilities to provide healthcare to all patient populations.

They typically work in collaboration with physicians and other healthcare providers. “I have prescribing abilities, I can diagnose, do office procedures, and even deliver babies if I had to!” she maintained.

According to statistics, more and more students are opting to take the PA route due in large part to the competitive reimbursement and full practicing abilities. PA’s, like physicians, provide full-spectrum

healthcare to a variety of individuals.

Another aspect unique to a PA is the fact that they are trained as “generalists,” which means they are able venture into numerous fields without having to be specialized.

According to Sexton, a benefit to the way Memorial Family Practice is set up is that it allows her to build relationships with her patients. “I see great-grandparents all the way down to grandkids,” she shared. “I have one family that’s four generations and they are all my patients. I also like seeing people that I’ve known forever, people that took care of me as a baby!”

She and her husband have been married for six years and have two sons, Brooks, age 4 and Tripp, 2.

Outside the office, she is on the Head Start medical advisory board, assists with Artesia Public School District’s sports physicals every year and is a mentor to students currently enrolled in the PA program at St. Francis. “I have students every year that come from the PA school I attended. They will rotate with me for six weeks so they can see all that we do,” she noted.

She is also on the legislative board for the New Mexico Academy of Physician Assistants, a state governing board, and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian PAs, a national organization that offers medical mission trips and conducts fundraisers for different medical disparities in other countries.

Artesia General Hospital CEO Kenneth Randall had this to say about Sexton: “In this ever changing healthcare environment, Terah is prepared for whatever presents in her day and for whoever needs care in Memorial Family Practice. Not only is she clinically qualified, but she’s compassionate and patient-centered.

I am personally proud to have her on our team, and I know I speak for her colleagues and team members when I share that she’s a true leader and an asset to our community.”

“I can’t imagine doing anything else,” Sexton beamed in closing. “If I had it to do over again, I’d do it exactly the same.”

To learn more about Terah Sexton, PA-C & Memorial Family Practice at Artesia General Hospital - please visit ArtesiaGeneral.com.

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F O C U S on mainstreet

Time to Celebrate!

REBECCA PRENDERGAST Executive Director

ARTESIA MAINSTREET

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RED DIRT:

a type of red colored iron-rich soil found in various regions of the world such as the red clay soil commonly found throughout parts of the southern U.S., such as in Oklahoma and West Texas OR a genre of country-folk music originating in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Main Street and check out what only local and independent merchants can offer: unique items and great customer service. RDBG is all about celebrating what makes Artesia great. What better way to do that than shopping local.

BLACK GOLD: a naturally occurring yellow-to-black liquid

Heritage Plaza is the place to be at 3:00 p.m. Music from local, regional and not-so-regional bands will fill the air and have you tapping your toes.

Lincoln Road, the Judson Cole Band, Sunny Sweeny, Cody Canada and the Departed, and our headliner Turnpike Troubadours are all set to take the stage. Many of these bands are selfdescribed as “Red Dirt,” a genre of music that has been described as a mix of folk, rock, country, bluegrass, blues, Western swing and honky tonk with even a few Mexican influences.

This wonderful melting pot of musical types exemplifies Artesia and its residents and perfectly exemplifies what RDBG is all about. While enjoying the music in the plaza, you may enjoy a trip around the region via a cold beer at our Brewfest, a beer garden featuring local and regional brews.

found in geological formations beneath the Earth’s surface, commonly refined into various types of fuels. See also: Beverly Hillbillies TV program.

T

he Red Dirt Black Gold Festival is a celebration of our community’s heritage and livelihood in the oil and gas industry. As is typical of Artesia, we’re taking something as simple as a free concert downtown, turning the volume WAY up and making it our own. The Red Dirt Black Gold (RDBG) Festival is a day-long celebration of music, art and oil, and it’s all happening downtown.

people may know, in a disconnected way, what oilfield equipment looks like, there really is nothing like experiencing it from several feet away.

It also gives owners and operators a chance to show off what they work with on a daily basis. As with all of the events happening during RDBG, we hope to educate attendees on the positive aspects of the industry that supports us.

The concept behind RDBG was deceivingly simple. How do we create an event that is appealing to both the young and old but is specific to Artesia? The answer is all around us, from the hard working people who live in our neighborhoods to the companies that support our community to the industry that provides the livelihood for our family and friends. Add music that is regional to our neck of the woods, art that is representational of our lives, several meetings about what the day should look like, and voila—the RDBG Festival was created.

Next up, Oilfield Olympics. Take what you know to be the traditional Fireman’s Olympics, but switch the tasks to ones that are specific to the oil and gas industry. Teams will compete against each other relay-style to win trophies and bragging rights.

Be prepared to cheer for your favorite teams; they will need all the help they can get as they complete challenges such as the PPE (personal protective equipment) Challenge and the Pipe Hauling Challenge. The Oilfield Olympics will take place at Eagle Draw, and both expert and novice teams are welcome. In other words, you don’t have work in the field to partake in the fun!

The inaugural RDBG Festival kicks off with an Oilfield Equipment Parade down Main Street. This parade gives people an up close and personal view of the gigantic—and not so gigantic—equipment that is a part of the oil and gas industry. Though many

Throughout the day, our MainStreet merchants will be welcoming visitors and shoppers into their stores with our RDBG Art Walk. Artwork with an oilfield spin will be displayed in the shops along with works from local and regional artists. Take a stroll down

FOCUS ON ARTESIA | SUMMER 2015

Save the date, be ready to have fun and join us downtown on Saturday, August 29!

It has been said that red dirt music is a state of mind as much as it is a sound—a sound that successfully closes the gap between rock and country.* Though the purpose of RDBG is to entertain, it is to also educate. We hope that by showcasing a small portion of what happens in the oilfield, we too can help bridge the gap between the informed and the uninformed.

Learn more at ArtesiaACD.org * (Kennedy, Wally. Dig that ‘Red Dirt’ sound.

Joplin Globe, May 26, 2006.)

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F O C U S on giving back

Busy Dad Two Jobs, Three Girls

and a Whole Bunch of Boards

by Kyle Marksteiner

ARTESIA RECEIVED AN EXTRA BURST OF ENERGY WHEN BEN HARVEY MOVED HERE EIGHT YEARS AGO. Harvey, 38, met his future wife, then Vanessa Munoz, while attending the University of Tulsa. The couple returned to Artesia to be closer to her family.

“J&J is a family business, and her (Vanessa’s) family has been here for many generations,” he noted.

“Our daughters will be the fourth generation to graduate from Artesia.”

He’s now the chief operating officer for J&J Home Care in Artesia and a partner in Harvey & Simons, an accounting firm with offices in Artesia and Roswell.

With about 105 employees, J&J was first formed in 1995 and offers nursing therapies and aids and care for people in homes. While some jobs are specific to the Artesia area, the company also has offices in Roswell, Hobbs and Clovis for the portion of the business that works with the developmentally disabled.

Changes to the national health care system have made things more challenging, Harvey admitted, and that’s one of the reasons starting a second business seemed like a good investment.

Together with Artesia native Chris Simons, Harvey opened the accounting firm in 2011 after the two met through Rotary Club, where Harvey served as president at the time. Harvey & Simons largely handles small business and personal income tax projects. He spends two days a week at the firm’s office in Carlsbad.

“It’s a little challenging,” he observed about the two different careers. “But I play a lesser role over there (at Harvey & Simons) than I do here (at J&J).”

“What motivates me is serving the community. It’s serving others and putting other people above yourself.

If we all did that more, I think that is the key to a good society.”

PHOTO: Vanessa and Ben Harvey lead active lives with their daughters, Elena, 10,

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Carmen (at top), 8, and Adrienne, 7.

FOCUS ON ARTESIA | SUMMER 2015

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“Ben actively serves others quietly and selflessly and gives of his time and resources to family, work and community,” observed his business partner. “Ben is a true example of service above self.”

Harvey joined Rotary Club when he first moved to town. He considered it a good opportunity to network and also enjoyed having an opportunity to serve the community. In addition to Rotary and work, Harvey serves as president of the Yeso Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), which he joined to help provide support to his three daughters. “I was the only person dumb enough to say yes,” he joked.

He and his wife are both active in the PTO, but he admits he’s somewhat outnumbered, as there are a lot more women involved than men. Getting more dads involved within the school is an issue that’s near and dear to Harvey’s heart. He supports a program called Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students), where dads will spend time helping out at a school.

“I feel very strongly about this,” he stated.

“I think it is important for parents to be involved and for dads to be more involved in their kids’ lives. It really makes our community, and it provides role models to some kids who may not have it at home.”

He noted that many fathers have work schedules that make it especially difficult for them to be involved in activities in the middle of the school day. Watch D.O.G.S. provides an opportunity for dads to help out for any amount of time possible, even if it’s just a few hours or an afternoon.

As an interesting side note, Harvey’s wife attended the school when it was an underground complex, Abo Elementary School. In 1995, the aging elementary school building was shut down and a new school, Yeso, was erected next to it. story continues on page 30 >>> PHOTO: Ben Harvey Photo by Devon Rae Photography

While Harvey grew up in the Oklahoma City area, adjusting to small town life hasn’t been that difficult. He admits there are a few amenities missing, but those are easily overcome by ordering over the internet, and his schedule stays pretty busy with his kids’ basketball, soccer and camping outings.

as treasurer for the Artesia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and sat on the Artesia Economic Development Board, as he believes business development is important as well. The Harveys are members of First Baptist Church.

“What motivates me is serving

the community,” he revealed. “It’s serving others and putting other people above yourself. If we all did that more, I think that is the key to a good society.”

“And Artesia does that well,” he concluded. “We really teach our kids that.”

“I really like the small town. The schools are fantastic and the people are great,” he added.

He enjoys finding other ways to give back to the community as well. He has served on the United Way board as campaign chair and chairman of the board. He has also been treasurer of the Artesia Arts Council. “It’s an important part of what we offer to Artesia as far as entertainment and education,” he explained. In addition, he has served PHOTO: Ben Harvey has several desks around Eddy County, but all of them come with artwork from his three daughters and family photographs.

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F O C U S on fitness

M

by Bryce Pinson

any people leave Artesia every year, gather culture from other cities and communities, and then bring that culture back when they return.

Often, they implement new cultural vibes into the community that so many people know and love. In turn, the city begins to change and evolve.

Artesia is a place where everyone knows everyone and where people take pride in their work, in their state championships and in their community. To Artesia natives Jamie and Missy Guthrie, the people of Artesia are worth all the effort and hard work that goes into running a gym, and they were eager to bring a bit of their experiences back with them to open Redline Fitness.

Before intertwining in marriage, the Guthries led very different lives.

Missy’s family lived the American dream with hard work in the oil patch, while Jamie said his family didn’t have a whole lot of money. Even though they traveled different paths growing up, both Jamie and Missy understand the importance of hard work. These two lives started bonding at a young age and they were married in February of 2007, shortly after Jamie joined the Navy.

While in the Navy, Jamie had a chance to travel to other countries. He began PHOTO: Jamie and Missy Guthrie

thinking about his childhood and the money situations his family went though yet still realized how blessed he was. This is the blessing that comes from being born in the United States of America. Through his travels, Jamie realized that the issues with money his family had growing up, while bad, could have been much worse. “We may have not had a lot of money, but we always had food,” he maintained.

When he finished touring, part of his responsibilities included leading a portion of the physical training for his unit. That role provided him with the experience to do what he does today.

As Jamie toured and trained with the Navy, Missy busied herself as a trainer for a gym called 24 Hour Fitness in San Diego, California. In Missy’s eyes, fitness is not just a hobby, it’s her calling. Her passion for fitness started in the third grade when a friend’s parents introduced her to working out. The friend’s parents were into body building and thought it was time for the two girls to get started “learning how to move agility wise, lifting light weights, learning hand/ eye coordination and balance,” she explained. “It was nothing too crazy.”

It might have been “nothing too crazy,” but the family from Artesia who invested in Missy’s life has clearly left an evident mark, even 18 years later.

Photo by Devon Rae Photography

The Beginning of Redline Fitness

After visiting Artesia for Missy’s father’s 80th birthday, the power couple decided to move home to start a gym. Having experienced life and culture on both the east and west coasts, the couple felt it was time to bring something back home. Their goal was to introduce the flavor of the big city to Artesia in the form of a gym, but at the same time they wanted it to seem small enough that everyone could feel like they were a part of it.

With the molding of their youth and the culture from the time they spent in the city, Redline Fitness was born.

The “big city vibes” are evident upon entering the gym doors. The facility can accommodate many people and has top-notch equipment for all skill levels. Another factor that sets the gym apart from others in town is that it is open 24 hours a day, something Missy and Jamie thought crucial from the onset. The gym has the small-town Artesia feel where everyone knows everyone. A daycare is set up on site, which has proven to be invaluable for the stay-at-home moms whose husbands spend massive amounts of time in the oilfield. These two cultural feels mesh perfectly in Artesia, and it seems Redline Fitness is just what the fitness-minded people in this community needed.

Both Guthries feel it is important to SUMMER 2015 | A COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

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give back to their community. Missy appreciates the nice things people in the community say about her father, which she says makes her want to build something “amazing and great, like the reputation and service that my parents have in this town.” She also feels it is imperative to build a place where everyone is welcome and where everyone feels comfortable. To her, success can be found in the reputation, the service and the welcoming environment from the lifetime fitness junkies to the first timers that Redline has to offer.

Many aspects of Redline Fitness promote good health. When people begin to work out, they begin to look better physically and also feel better about themselves. Jamie says getting in shape is more than that, though.

It is not just beneficial to one’s body but good for the mind as well, and working out on a daily basis builds discipline. The most important part of owning a gym, however, according to Jamie and Missy, are the people.

Building community is healthy for humans, who are relational beings and not meant to be alone. As people walked into Redline Fitness, they

smiled and said hello, and in turn, their joy was contagious.

The vision of Redline Fitness is a direct correlation of who Jamie and Missy Guthrie are and what they have been through. They are an upand-coming power couple in Artesia and they have a heart for this town and community. Beginning with the owners and radiating through the rest of the gym, Redline Fitness is a place where people are accepted.

Visit Redline Fitness at 904 S. 13th Street or call them for more information at 575-736-6388.

PHOTOS (FROM LEFT): 1) The Guthries display their pride in God and country within the confines of the gym. 2) One of their many amenities includes childcare for members that need a place for their children to stay while they work out. 3&4) Missy and Jamie Guthrie have invested in top-notch work out equipment. Photos by Bryce Pinson PHOTO MAIN BELOW: Missy and Jamie Guthrie arm wrestle in front of a small portion of the facility reserved for a merchandise area, where patrons can purchase items such as workout gear and supplements. Photo by Devon Rae Photography

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FOCUS ON ARTESIA | SUMMER 2015

Critter Care Center Compassionate Veterinary Care

575-736-8888 609 West Richardson Artesia, NM 88210

575-736-8890 Fax crittercare@pvtnetworks.net

Stephanie R. Simons, DVM Owner, Veterinarian

Veteran Owned & Proud of All Who Served!

- Dale Rutherford, Owner

First Street Firearms LLC

611 W Main St • Artesia, NM • (575) 746-9829

info@firststreetfirearms.com FirstStreetFirearms.com • Facebook.com/FirstStreetFirearms

ZbarX Two Sisters Studio and Gallery was created in memory of local talent Merrill Nix.

1711 N. 1st St • (575) 746-8974

575.746.1900

2520 W. Hermosa Dr. • Artesia office@smilexpressions.com

Kay Younggren, DDS Michele Carter, DDS

www.smilexpressions.com

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Artesia

401 Commerce Rd. Phone: (575) 748-2075

Carlsbad

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www.artesialanes.com

F O C U S on education

A Teacher’s Influence For 14 years Tom Cockrell taught agriculture at Artesia High School where, even if he didn’t realize it at the time, he influenced many young lives.

From ag teacher he segued into the role of director of facilities for the Artesia Public School District (APS) and remained in that position until his retirement in 1999. With plenty of good “working” years still ahead of him, Tom went on to enjoy a career in the oil industry, retiring recently from Santo Petroleum. His influence as a teacher, however, can still be seen today.

One such student whose life Tom impacted is Lynn Hall-Alley, who now resides in Arlington, Texas. Lynn

attended Artesia High School in the 1980s and moved away, but she never lost track of her beloved ag teacher.

“Mr. Cockrell has never realized the impact he had on so many students,” shared Lynn. “I tell people I have kept him in my rearview mirror for the last 31 years. Both of my kids loved the FFA program, so the way I see it, if it wasn’t for him, my children would have not had the success they have had in high school and now in college.”

In an effort to give back to the Arlington FFA, Lynn and her husband, Harold, decided to offer a scholarship to a student interested in the study of agriculture. “It took about half of a second to decide what to name the scholarship – the Tom Cockrell Scholarship,” she proclaimed.

This year, Olivia Reynolds became the first recipient of the $1,000 Tom Cockrell Scholarship. This year she served as her local FFA chapter’s treasurer. “Olivia is ranked 53 out of 673 graduating students and graduated with distinguished honors,” noted Lynn. “She takes her miniature horse named Peter Pann to a local rehabilitation center, puts Build-ABear sneakers on his hooves and walks him throughout the facility.

She has taught the horse how to shake hands with the patients, and she built

a horse cart and entered it in an Agricultural Mechanics project in the Fort Worth Stock Show, winning second place.” Olivia was awarded a welder and $182 worth of metal, which she donated the Arlington ag program. Olivia plans to attend Texas A&M University to pursue a degree in animal science.

In May, Tom and his wife, Jayne, traveled to Arlington, Texas to attend the FFA banquet during which the scholarship was awarded. For Tom, the honor, he said, was all his.

“It really…well, it takes your breath away to realize that you said something or did something that made an impact on someone’s life like that,” he shared. “I’m sure a lot of teachers say things that mean a lot to kids but you don’t hear it very often and you really don’t realize the impact you’re having at the time, I guess.”

He continued, “Lynn has done really well and raised two wonderful kids; I’m proud of her. We still talk and keep in contact. It’s a good feeling – all of this – it really means a lot to me… it’s humbling.”

PHOTO ABOVE: Jayne and Tom Cockrell traveled to Arlington, Texas in May to attend an FFA awards banquet

36

FOCUS ON ARTESIA | SUMMER 2015

where graduating senior Olivia Reynolds, center, received a scholarship awarded in Tom’s honor. Lynn Hall-Alley, far right, started the scholarship as a way to pay tribute to Tom for the impact he had on her life as an ag teacher more than 30 years ago.

PHOTO LEFT: Tom and Jayne Cockrell of Artesia pose for a picture with Olivia Reynolds, recipient of the very first Tom Cockrell Scholarship.

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BUFFALO SHOTGUN SCRAMBLE The Second Annual Buffalo Shotgun Scramble hosted by Buffalo Oilfield Supply and benefitting Packs of Love was held on May 15-16 at the Eddy County Shooting Range. Friday evening was added this year to kick off the event with preregistration and shooter games while the main event kicked off at 7 a.m. Saturday morning.

There were 73 sponsored teams for a total of 292 shooters, all of whom shot 70 targets on the course that morning. Lunch was provided by Par 5 Energy Services, LLC.

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Grand Prizes and Winners were as follows: Chris Chesser - A $5,000 custom rifle package donated by CGS. His gun is being built to suit him.

Greg Tutak - A buffalo hunt valued at $5,500 to Champion Ranch Jerry Rackley - A 2015 John Deere 825i Gator was donated by Elite Well Service. Pecos Valley Equipment donated a ProBox top and a gun rack, so the gator was ready to hit the range. The only way to win the gator was to purchase game tickets that helped to drive the Friday night event. The prize was valued at $17,000.

The shoot successfully raised $53,000 for Packs of Love.

“This type of event took so many helping hands that there’s no way to thank everyone individually,” shared SuAnn Greenwood with Packs of Love, “but thanks to the Chase employees, CGS, the Eddy County Shooting Range, all of the sponsors, and all of the volunteers that came out and worked the event.”

The Third Annual Buffalo Shotgun Scramble is already in the works and we hope to see everyone in 2016.

PHOTOS 1 • Chance Chase presents winner Eddie Foster with a Sitka backpack.

2 • Chance Chase with Travis Usherwood, winner of a pair of binoculars 3 • Kelsey Chandler, winner of the wine package 4 • Grand prize winner Jerry Rackley stands next to his brand new Gator.

5 • Volunteers at the registration table are all smiles as they welcome participants to the second annual Buffalo Shotgun Scramble.

6 • Elite Services donated the Gator for the event.

7 • The Buffalo Shooting Station located on the “red” course 8 • Participants eat lunch and anxiously await prize announcements.

9 • Pictured are Chance Chase and Bill Rogers.

10 • A group of participants and volunteers at the event

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FOCUS ON ARTESIA | SUMMER 2015

F O C U S on the chamber

DIRECTOR’S NOTE Our mission has always been to work hard for our business community. Our program allows you to access our services, whether it is advertising, using our meeting space, posting jobs, bulk mailing, accessing information, celebrating a milestone or anything else you and your business may need.

In a more general way, our staff works hard to promote our community so that our business community may thrive. We do this by organizing events that may attract visitors and therefore shoppers. We put together information about our town that is delivered around the state,

and indeed around the country, to other visitors’ centers and chambers and to anyone who asks for visitor or relocation information. We serve as an information center of sorts to anyone looking for a certain type of business or service, needs a phone number or wants to know more about what makes Artesia tick.

While it is always our primary goal to advocate for our business community in these ways, we have recently broadened our own definition of advocacy. We want to broaden community interest in issues that affect our business

environment, economic climate or way of life.

We want our community to have access to information that will help them make informed decisions and give them the ways to contact our governmental decision makers at every level. When election season gears up, we will begin a campaign to register voters and encourage participation in elections. Believe it or not, decisions our elected officials make can be influenced by community interest in those issues.

As citizens, it is our right and duty to participate. We at the Artesia Chamber of Commerce hope to make the process of doing so just a little easier.

Please call us with your ideas, questions, concerns or needs.

We are here to serve you, our businesses and our community.

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PECOS VAL LEY BROAD CASTIN G C OM PANY SUMMER 2015 | A COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

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F O C U S on the chamber

ARTESIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS OF THE MONTH PROGRAM The Artesia Chamber of Commerce and the Trailblazers proudly recognize a Chamber member business each month.

We take pride in our Chamber members and enjoy celebrating their service to the community and their commitment to the Chamber! Here are our most recent Businesses of the Month: Listen to member station KSVP and check out the Artesia Daily Press to see who next month’s Business of the Month will be.

MARCH 2015

SIMPLY BELLO

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323 W. Main Street 575-736-3663 Simply Bello was chosen as the March Business of the Month by the Artesia Trailblazers.

This downtown merchant is the place to go for your kitchen needs and unique home décor.

Their specialty items provide couples with creative bridal registry selections. Owner Cindy Polk goes above and beyond to welcome you to her store and provide you with great service.

Go ‘Like’ them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SimplyBello-Kitchen-Shoppe-andUnique-Home-Accents. Thank you for being a committed member of our Chamber.

FOCUS ON ARTESIA | SUMMER 2015

APRIL 2015

ADOBE ROSE RESTAURANT 1614 N. 13th Street 575-746-6157

Adobe Rose Restaurant, a hot spot in Artesia to enjoy a meal with atmosphere, was awarded the Artesia Chamber of Commerce Trailblazers April Business of the Month. Although the 13th Street construction has made it less than convenient to reach, the staff always provides delicious food, service and atmosphere, making it more than worth the drive all the way around construction. ‘Like’ them on Facebook to find out more about live performances on the patio and food specials: www.facebook.com/ AdobeRoseRestaurant. You are a valued member of our community and the Artesia Chamber.

MAY 2015

HERITAGE INN 209 W. Main Street 575-748-2552

The Artesia Chamber of Commerce and the Artesia Trailblazers surprised newly remodeled Heritage Inn when they were named the May Business of the Month. Heritage Inn, a cozy boutique hotel, originally opened in 1993. New owners Ryan and Neva Carleton have now established it as a favorite place to stay for travelers. The comfort of their visitors being their top priority, they provide a homey feel with amenities such as breakfast and a rooftop hangout, perfect for enjoying coffee in the mornings or for playing a game of cards in the evening while enjoying the hum of downtown Main Street. Go ‘Like’ them on Facebook at www.facebook. com/ArtesiaHeritageInn. Thank you for being a valued member of our community and the Chamber.

F O C U S on the chamber

MEET THE CHAMBER STAFF WELCOME NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS! HAYLEY KLEIN

Executive Director

DEBBIE

VICKIE

Director of Administration

Events & Marketing Coordinator

VAN DER VEEN GROUSNICK

KELCEY McCALEB Membership Coordinator

MICHAEL BUNT

Artesia’s Economic Development Director

THE PADDOCK CAFÉ 11354 Lovington Highway Artesia, NM 88210 575-748-8747

BALZANO FAMILY VINEYARD 5230 Seven Rivers Highway Seven Rivers, NM 88220 575-361-4993 www.BalzanoVineyard.com

LA QUINTA INN & SUITES-ROSWELL P R EGN AN C Y HEL P CENTER OF ARTESIA 610 W. Quay Street • 575-736-6400

The Artesia Chamber of Commerce and the Artesia Trailblazers were pleased to celebrate the opening of the Pregnancy Help Center of Artesia on February 24. This non-profit organization is a Christcentered ministry that provides free and confidential pregnancy services to women facing unplanned pregnancies. Other services include parenting classes for men and women and peer counseling. The Center has someone available to answer the phone 24 hours a day. Visit their website to learn more at www.PregnancyHelpCenterOfArtesia.com.

200 E. 19th Street Roswell, NM 88201 575-622-8000 www.890.lq.com

WORTHY BROS. PIPELINE, LLC 34 E. Atoka Road Artesia, NM 88210 844-288-9799 www.WorthyBrosPipeline.com

H O L LYF R ON TIER NAVAJO TRAINING CENT E R

Employees of HollyFrontier Navajo Refining celebrated the grand opening of the company’s new training center located at the refinery. The new facility serves as a technical training center for various types of operations specific to the refinery. With the highest quality and expertise in mind, HollyFrontier has built a center that includes operations simulators that are mirror image simulations of the inner workings of Navajo Refinery, giving employees the training to prevent and control any eventuality. The center provides training for new employees as well as ongoing training for operators at every level. The Artesia Chamber of Commerce is proud to have HollyFrontier Navajo Refining as a Chamber member and next door neighbor.

SUMMER 2015 | A COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

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DID YOU KNOW THESE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE CITY OF CHAMPIONS? • Artesia is actually our town’s third official name. Can you name the first two? see the answers below...

• In 1903, the Artesia Townsite Company and the Artesia Improvement Company were formed by businessmen to promote settlement in our town. Their first project was to change the town’s name to “Artesia” to capitalize on the abundant water available here.

• Artesia was officially incorporated two years later in 1905.

• The artesian wells were a visual and agricultural attraction to early settlers until the early 1920s when the area’s artesian wells began to dwindle due to 20 years of unchecked flow.

• Artesia was a candidate for ESPN’s Titletown USA feature.

• Navajo Refinery, operated by HollyFrontier Company, is the largest refinery in the state of New Mexico.

Photo of an Artesian water well.

Courtesy of the Artesia Historical Museum & Art Center.

• Long before movie-making was cool in New Mexico, a major motion picture was filmed at the Artesia Hotel and Restaurant in 1975. Can you name the film? (Hint: It starred David Bowie!) see the answer below...

• Famous people who have called Artesia home include actress Alexa Havins, professional golfer Steve Jones, astronaut Edgar Mitchell, and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Landry Jones.

Can you think of any others? If so, we’d love to hear from you! www.focusnm.com Artesia’s other two official names: Miller and Stegman.

Artesia’s famous film: The Man Who Fell From Earth.

ADVERTISE FOCUS ARTESIA! IN

ON

Jessica Kirk

MARKETING CONSULTANT & ADVERTISING SALES AD VENTURE MARKETING

Call Jessica at 575.703.4018 email: jessica@ad-venturemarketing.com

575-748-3400 409 COMMERCE ROAD 42

FOCUS ON ARTESIA | SUMMER 2015

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