Below are statements of candidates for Rio Grande Chapter Executive Committee and for Northern New Mexico Group Executive Committee. Only candidate statements for contested races are listed here:
Rio Grande Chapter (three open spots):
Dale Doremus
I have lived and worked in New Mexico for 32 years as a hydrogeologist and environmental scientist.
For most of my professional career, I managed water quality and water resource programs for the New Mexico Environment Department and Interstate Stream Commission. My educational qualifications include a BS degree in Geology and an MS in Hydrogeology.
Currently, I serve on the Legislative Committee and Water Committee of the Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter. I also served on the Santa Fe River Commission for eight years and am a volunteer for the Randall Davey Audubon Center.
My interests and priorities are:
Developing state water policy that establishes the connection to climate change;
Increasing emphasis on statewide water quality issues;
Restoring and improving New Mexico’s environmental protection statutes and regulations;
Preservation and protection of our public lands;
Educating the next generation of environmental stewards.
Ken Hughes
I’m wrapping up 26 years working for the State of New Mexico, the last 12 as Clean Energy Specialist, to return to my environmental activist roots, which included 6 years as a Sierra Club lobbyist in DC and Santa Fe and 25 years as chapter conservation chair. It would be an honor to serve with others on the board to lead the Chapter past Trump-induced turbulence and work at the state and local levels for land, air and water safe and sufficient for all species.
Eric Patterson
I am a retired high school and community college chemistry teacher, a resident of Valdez, NM, since 2005, and a Sierra Club member since 1971.
I chaired the Northwest Cook County Group (about 1,500 members) in the Illinois Chapter.
I started and coordinated Water Sentinels — Rios de Taos 2006-2019, monitoring water in the streams of Taos County.
The national Sierra Club awarded me the Special Service Award in 2016.
I have been a member of Rio Grande Chapter Executive Committee since 2015.
I have been able to apply for and receive grants from the Grassroots Network of the Sierra Club for the last four years. This has enabled me to work with Taos County students, (middle school, high school and college) not only on water monitoring and general environmental issues, but also to send students to weeklong SPROG summer camps where the Sierra Club trains young people to become enabled environmental activists and future leaders.
Shannon Romeling
I am an employee of Amigos Bravos, whose mission is to protect and restore the waters of New Mexico. I am responsible for researching, writing, submitting, and tracking proposals and reports regarding grants from foundations, government agencies, and other contractual funders. I also conduct outreach and water-quality related projects. I completed my Master’s in biology at Missouri State University in 2012 and wrote my thesis on the effects of wind turbine-caused mortality on the future of the federally endangered Indiana bat.
I have been working on water-quality projects for 7 years as a part of Amigos Bravos. One of the first projects delegated to me was to work with the Sierra Club Water Sentinels Team. I learned more about Sierra Club and became more involved in outreach to environmental clubs and students in Taos. Eric Patterson, leader of the Water Sentinels, suggested I get involved in Sierra Club at a higher level a couple of years ago. The Sierra Club’s values, projects, and track record are inspiring. As a member of the chapter Executive Committee for the last year, I would be thrilled to continue this work.
Derrick Toledo
I am the Indian Country Organizer for Western Leaders Network but was formally the Clean Energy Fellow for the Sierra Club: Rio Grande Chapter. I am a former tribal official in Jemez Pueblo and a 2015 graduate from the University of New Mexico, where I studied Multimedia Journalism and Marketing Management. Before going to Washington D.C. to join the Institute for Policy Studies in 2017, I was the audio engineer for the award-winning and nationally broadcasted Native America Calling and National Native News. I established my career in journalism through positions with the Daily Lobo, a news outlet serving the University of New Mexico, the Rio Rancho Observer, a locally owned and operated newspaper in midwest New Mexico, Generation Justice and the New Mexico News Port. I have also worked as a news producer, reporter, and on-air talent for public radio stations in New Mexico at KUNM and downtown Washington D.C. for WPFW. More recently I was awarded the 2018 New Voices Scholarship by Air Media and a position on the Native American Voters Alliance board.
Northern New Mexico Group (four open spots):
John Buchser
My interests broadly expressed are in sustainability and governance. Of particular interest to me are two local changes that are happening in Santa Fe, the de-watering of the ponds created by the remains of Two-Mile reservoir above town (with the help of some beavers), and plans for re-use of the City’s effluent to meet long-term City/County needs. The Mayor and City Water Utility are showing some interest in the concerns of the community. We need the City Council engaged too.
The Club has long been involved in political endorsements, and we have momentum here in NM, and I want to maintain that. Many of the decisions about transitioning to renewable energy are dependent on having good politicians who understand the challenge we face.
Alice Cox
Membership Chair for NNMG for 15 years. My commitment comes from living next to the National Forest for 30 years and observing firsthand the devastating impacts of changes to our climate which has precipitated the current climate crisis.
In that capacity I organized social and public events to educate the public about the mission of the SC and engaged new members to become active.
The most challenging thing we’re facing is the climate crisis. The current administration presents a huge challenge so support of our grassroots activists is vital to our goals of protecting and preserving our precious natural environment.
Joseph Eigner
As an employee of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Solid Waste Division, I created the Hazardous Waste Program, drafted the state’s first hazardous-waste law, organized support for it, lobbied for it, and saw it passed in its first submission to the lagislature. I next ran a solo environmental consultancy focused on assisting clients in meeting EPA and OSHA regulations applicable to their operations.
On retirement to Santa Fe, with Karen Sweeney I founded and led Eldorado/285 Recycles, a citizen group devoted to promoting zero waste, reuse, and recycling. Highlights were a backyard vermicomposting campaign, persuading Santa Fe County to reopen a ReUse facility at the Eldorado Convenience Center, converting local events with food service to zero waste, and operating a drop-off site for recycling unusual items.
The three most important challenges facing the Sierra Club are the climate crisis, the climate crisis, and the climate crisis. All of the club’s wonderful programs to protect air, water, health, wildlife, natural resources, wilderness areas, forests, public lands and more are threatened, and their accomplishments over many years are being reversed by the climate crisis. Bold action, by the club, ourselves, our nation, and the world is needed.
Susan Martin
I’m a member of the Sierra Club’s National Political Team, which directs the Sierra Club candidate endorsement process, a member of the Rio Grande Chapter Executive Committee, and am appointed to the Santa Fe County Planning Commission.
My professional experience includes counsel to the US House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee, Senior Project Attorney, Natural Resources Defense Council, and Planner Director, NM Environment Department.
Climate change and its contributors are the three most important challenges facing the Sierra Club, including support for a just transition to the use of renewable energy, and a development of political power to achieve the transition. Our water resource, both quality and quantity, will be stressed from warming, as will our wildlife and human habitat. Grassroots political action by SC members and supporters is vital to achieve political wins, from local to federal-level races. In order to “explore, enjoy, and protect” our world, we must cultivate and support local environmental leaders. I pledge to do this as a member of the Northern Group Executive Committee.
Shannon Romeling
I am an employee of Amigos Bravos, whose mission is to protect and restore the waters of New Mexico. I am responsible for researching, writing, submitting, and tracking proposals and reports regarding grants from foundations, government agencies, and other contractual funders. I also conduct outreach and water-quality related projects. I completed my Master’s in biology at Missouri State University in 2012 and wrote my thesis on the effects of wind turbine-caused mortality on the future of the federally endangered Indiana bat.
I have been working on water-quality projects for 7 years as a part of Amigos Bravos. One of the first projects delegated to me was to work with the Sierra Club Water Sentinels Team. I learned more about Sierra Club and became more involved in outreach to environmental clubs and students in Taos. Eric Patterson, leader of the Water Sentinels, suggested I get involved in Sierra Club at a higher level a couple of years ago. The Sierra Club’s values, projects, and track record are inspiring. As a member of the chapter Executive Committee for the last year, I would be thrilled to continue this work.
Shane Woolbright
Shane is a lifelong Sierra Club member and avid birder, who particpates in international outings and has served as Rio Grande Chapter vice chair and for several years as Norhern Group Energy Chair.
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