Central New Mexico Governing Board of Directors

Jeffrey Conner, President
New Mexico Operations managed by Honeywell
Site Lead

Conner started his career working in his family’s real estate business. Local officials were impressed by his work ethic and appreciated his connection to the people of the area. They backed his candidacy to become one of the youngest to serve in the Vermont State House of Representatives. As a state rep, Conner worked with the Affordable Housing Coalition and was Chairman of the House Minority Economic Development Task Force where he was instrumental in passing legislation that brought millions in economic and infrastructure improvements to the region.

Mike Byrd, Immediate Past President
Manual Lujan Agency
Construction Trades Specialist

Hailing from Rock Springs, Wyoming, Mike specializes in financial analysis and strategy development for HUB international. Father to 3 girls, the mission speaks right to his heart: "I was attracted to Big Brothers Big Sisters because the organization changes lives for the better…our children should have every opportunity to succeed."

Claudia Rhodus
Bank of Albuquerque
Private Wealth Banker, Senior Vice President

Claudia Rhodus joined the Private Wealth banking group in 2019, delivering a comprehensive array of banking products and services to affluent individuals, families, and businesses. Active in the community, Rhodus also currently serves on the finance board for St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. Her previous board service includes March of Dimes, Storehouse West, and The Performers Ballet and Jazz Company.

David Leith
Clifton Larson Allen
CPA, Principal

Dave Leith has served the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters for many years, and in nearly every capacity. A Principal at Clifton Larson Allen, he heads up the firm’s NM Real Estate Practice and its National Architect and Engineer Practice. He lives at 7,304 ft. altitude in Tijeras, New Mexico, but comes down from the clouds to meet with his Mentor2.0 mentee.

Lorinda Carabajal
Information Technology Specialist
DoD Civilian Retired

An Albuquerque native and retired Department of Defense Civilian employee, Lori demonstrates her commitment to the Big Brothers Big Sisters mission not only by serving on the board, but as a Big Sister to her Little Sister, 8 years old, and a mentor2.0 high school junior. "The mentor2.0 program is a great way to connect with high school students and offer encouragement and direction where needed," she explains. "I had such a great experience with being a mentor in mentor2.0 so I decided to become a Big Sister, too."

Dean Stoor
Retired

Dean became involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters through Big Brothers Big Sisters champion Honeywell Industries, where he is a Site Leader. His passion for the mission, paralleled only by his passion for the Green Bay Packers, finds its roots in a close family member, once a Little and now a successful professional.

Francesca Verploegh
Albuquerque Public Schools
Senior Director of Innovation

Francesca heard about BBBS from a counselor at Petroglyph Elementary school. She was the principal at the time, and she saw a dramatic change in the behavior and academics of the students who were a part of BBBS programs. Francesca has master's degrees in education and administration.

Jeff Stuve
Cauwels and Stuve
Partner

A native of Farmington, our Immediate Past President and a mentor in mentor2.0, Jeff is the Principal at Cauwels & Stuve Realty and Development. An active and vocal advocate for the organization, Jeff’s agenda is straightforward: "Helping kids."

Jeffrey Squires
Peacock Myers
Attorney

Jeffrey Squires moved to Albuquerque six years ago from Washington D.C., where he lived and practiced law for forty years.  He was a Big Brother there long ago, with Big Brothers of the National Capitol Area, and relishes the chance to be part of an organization that does such wonderful and rewarding work.

Nicole Reyes
TechSource, Inc.
Senior Technical Recruiter

Nicole Reyes is a technical recruiter with over 20 years of experience recruiting professionals, including engineers and scientists, for various Department of Energy (DOE) and Department of Defense (DoD) contracts. After her parents divorced when she was 9, she was matched with a big sister through Big Brothers Big Sisters. She’s currently a mentor to a second high school student at South Valley Academy, a program that supports students as they prepare for their futures after graduation. She joined the board to offer support to the organization and generate more awareness within the community about the importance mentors have in children’s (or teens’) lives. She wants to pay forward the impact her big sister had in her life.