Chamber Seeks Nominees and Candidates for Special Programs

Carlsbad is full of great people from all walks of life. There are leaders in education, the medical field, oil and gas, mining, in the city and county, in retail, and across the spectrum. Not everyone is seen or heard at times, despite the impact they have on their place of work and within the community. The Carlsbad Under 40 exists to shine the spotlight on these unsung leaders.

Each year, Carlsbad Under 40 seeks nominations that recognize dynamic young leaders for both their occupational and community leadership. Nominees are accepted in one of 14 different professional occupational fields. Each nominee must meet specific criteria to be considered. Upon being nominated, the nominee will be asked to submit a document that outlines their professional and community involvement activities. The document will then be reviewed by a selection committee, which will narrow the field down to the best of the best to be included in this year’s Carlsbad Under 40.

The criteria the selection committee looks for are as follows: the nominee must be between 18 and 39 years old as of December 31, 2025; they must live or work in Eddy County; and they should have experience in both their job and in serving the community in some fashion. No self-nominees.

To nominate someone, search Facebook for Carlsbad Under 40. There is a $40 non-refundable nomination fee. Nominations will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on August 29. No late forms will be accepted.

Carlsbad Under 40 is part of the Leadership Council at the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. This council also manages Leadership Carlsbad, a nine-month professional development program aimed at connecting participants to the local community. The course takes place one day each month.

“Being part of the Leadership Carlsbad Class of 2024 was truly eye-opening,” said Katrina Lopez of Western Commerce Bank. “It gave me a deeper appreciation for our community and helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect. I learned so much about local leadership, collaboration, and how to make a meaningful impact right here in Carlsbad. But more than that, I walked away with lasting connections and a renewed sense of purpose.”

Jeff Campbell, Director of Marketing and Business Development with the Carlsbad Department of Development, serves as Leadership Council Chair.

“Both Carlsbad Under 40 and Leadership recognize and elevate participants in complementary ways,” said Campbell. “Our council aims to help professionally develop individuals and provide a foundation for lifelong growth and success.”

Applications for Leadership Carlsbad are currently being accepted until August 29. Forms and links for both Carlsbad Under 40 and Leadership may be found on the Chamber of Commerce’s website, CarlsbadChamber.com, under the “Events” tab. For any questions, call Jeff Campbell at (575) 302-4751.