top of page
All Articles


Mingyue Wang
SENMC Instructor My work in Carlsbad is rooted in a deep commitment to service, education, and empowerment. As a professor at Southeast New Mexico College, I play a direct role in shaping the future of our community by preparing pre-service teachers to lead with empathy, cultural awareness, and professional excellence. My work in the Carlsbad community is grounded in education, equity, and hands-on service that uplifts children and families. As a faculty member at Southeast N
Oct 161 min read


Lakevius Turner
United States Navy Reserve Detective Sergeant I have dedicated my career to public service through law enforcement, emergency management, and physical security, with over a decade of experience as a military police officer, civilian law enforcement officer, and emergency management training specialist. My work reflects a commitment to protecting communities, advancing preparedness, and mentoring the next generation of first responders. I actively volunteer as both a Freemason
Oct 161 min read


Leslie Rodriguez
Desert Bloom Dermatology Owner I am currently completing my nurse practitioner degree through the University of Texas at Arlington. Alongside my husband, Jayce Rodriguez, I co-founded Desert Bloom Dermatology, a much-needed dermatology practice in Carlsbad. Our clinic provides specialized care to a community that has long faced limited access to these services. We are actively working toward becoming the second clinic in New Mexico to offer non-surgical skin cancer treatment.
Oct 161 min read


Jayce Rodriguez
Desert Bloom Dermatology Owner After 20 years away, I returned to my hometown of Carlsbad to open a much-needed dermatology practice with my wife, Leslie. For years, Carlsbad had limited access to specialized skin care, and I saw an opportunity to fill a critical gap in local health services. Beyond healthcare, I have remained committed to community involvement. Our practice partners with local nonprofits to help clothe, feed, and educate those in need. We proudly sponsor Wom
Oct 161 min read


Jessie Rayos
First Methodist Carlsbad Director of Discipleship and Outreach At First Methodist Carlsbad, I’ve been able to add to several life-giving ministries that were already in place and have had the opportunity to pioneer a few new ones as well. One of those existing ministries is Mission Carlsbad, a long-standing local initiative that I’m honored to serve through as a board member and staff liaison. Another need I noticed early on was the lack of a space for young adults and young
Oct 161 min read


Vanessa Reyes
Carlsbad Medical Center Director of Provider Outreach I moved to Carlsbad in 2022 for my husband who is a police officer in the community. I was still working with the company I was recruiting for full time remotely as well as being a stay at home mom taking care of our little one. I was then laid off from my job due to budget cuts and wasn’t quite sure what my next steps would be. A few months after I lost my job, I was contacted by Carlsbad Medical Center with a job offer t
Oct 161 min read


Patrick Quintana
SIMCO Miner operator I have over 20 years of experience in the mining industry, and one of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that safety must always come first. For the past seven years at SIMCO, I’ve appreciated the company’s strong commitment to safety. Having faced dangerous situations and close calls in my career, I believe it is essential to always look out for the safety of my coworkers. I make it a priority to protect those around me, because at the end of the
Oct 161 min read


Sarah Purvis
Nurvis Purvis Brewing Co Owner I started my professional journey serving in the Army, where I learned discipline, resilience, and the ability to adapt to any situation. Those lessons have carried me through every step of my career. Most recently, my husband and I co-founded Nurvis Purvis Brewing Co., a woman-owned and veteran-owned brewery right here in Carlsbad. This project has been a true labor of love. We’ve faced more challenges than I can count, such as construction cos
Oct 161 min read


Drew Purvis
Nurvis Purvis Brewing Company, Owner I started working at Mosaic Potash underground as a miner operator. Since then, I have moved up to the maintenance superintendent position for the mine and have around 70 employees working under me. I have been captain of Mosaic’s mine rescue team for four years as well. I also am a co-owner/head brewer at Nurvis Purvis Brewing Co., a project that my wife and I have been working to open for almost two years, that we finally opened in July
Oct 161 min read


Joshua Mack
Eddy County Fire Chief My path to becoming Fire Chief of Eddy County Fire & Rescue is a culmination of a lifelong commitment to service, rooted in my family’s legacy. I grew up in the fire station, inspired by my grandpa and dad, who both volunteered as long as I can remember. This early exposure instilled in me a deep-seated passion for the fire service that has defined my career. A cornerstone of my professional career has been transforming our county’s emergency response c
Oct 161 min read


Caitlin Pittman
Carlsbad Municipal Schools ELA Curriculum Specialist I am an accomplished and dedicated education professional with over a decade of experience in K-12 education. Since moving to Carlsbad in 2020, I have continued to advance my career, serving as an ELA teacher and an instructional coach before accepting my current role as the district’s K-12 ELA Curriculum Specialist. In this role, I have focused on building a bridge between central office resources and the teachers in our c
Oct 161 min read


Brandy Mendoza
Eddy County DWI Program Community Wellness & Outreach Coordinator I am the Community Wellness & Outreach Coordinator for the Eddy County DWI Program. I also serve as the Program Assistant for the Teen Court of Eddy County. In these capacities, I collaborate with numerous non-profit organizations throughout Carlsbad to plan and execute impactful community events. I am certified in Adult, Teen, and Youth Mental Health First Aid and am currently working with the Carlsbad Municip
Oct 161 min read
bottom of page







