Consistent with our non-partisan approach, Think New Mexico's 12-member Board is composed of Democrats, Independents and Republicans. They are statesmen and stateswomen, who have no agenda other than to see New Mexico succeed. They are also the brain trust of this think tank.

Clara Apodaca, a native of Las Cruces, was First Lady of New Mexico from 1975-1978. She served as New Mexico's Secretary of Cultural Affairs and as senior advisor to the U.S. Department of the Treasury during the Clinton Administration. Clara is currently President and CEO of the National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation.

Edward Archuleta, a 13th generation New Mexican, is a consultant and activist on issues including responsible land-use planning, growth management, and sustainable development. Edward previously served as the top assistant to former New Mexico Secretary of State Stephanie Gonzales.

Paul Bardacke served as Attorney General of New Mexico from 1983-1986. Paul was Chairman of Bill Richardson's successful gubernatorial campaigns. He is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. Paul currently handles complex commercial litigation and mediation with the firm of Sutin, Thayer, & Browne.

David Buchholtz, Treasurer, has advised more than a dozen Governors and Cabinet Secretaries of Economic Development on fiscal matters. David recently served as Chairman of the Association of Commerce and Industry. He is the senior member of the New Mexico office of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck.

Garrey Carruthers, Vice-Chair, served as Governor of New Mexico from 1987-1990. Garrey is Dean of New Mexico State University's College of Business, and he was formerly President and CEO of Cimarron Health Plan. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

F. Chris Garcia is a former President of the University of New Mexico, where he is currently a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Political Science. He is the co-author of, among other books, Hispanics and the U.S. Political System and Governing New Mexico. Dr. Garcia recently received the Governor's Distinguished Public Service Award.

LaDonna Harris is an enrolled member of the Comanche Nation. LaDonna is Chair of the Board and Founder of Americans for Indian Opportunity. She is also a founder of the National Women's Political Caucus. LaDonna was a leader in the effort to return the Taos Blue Lake to Taos Pueblo.

Susan Herter served as Chief of Staff to Vice President Nelson Rockefeller and was appointed to the President's Commission on White House Fellows by Presidents Carter and Reagan. Susan was a founding board member of the national government accountability group Common Cause, the North American Institute, and the New Mexico Community Foundation, where she also served as president.

Edward Lujan is the former CEO of Manuel Lujan Agencies, the largest privately owned insurance agency in New Mexico, with offices in Albuquerque, Belen, Santa Fe and Taos. Ed is a former Chairman of the National Hispanic Cultural Center of New Mexico and the New Mexico Economic Development Commission.

Fred Nathan founded Think New Mexico and is its Executive Director. Fred served as Special Counsel to New Mexico Attorney General Tom Udall from 1991-1998. In that capacity, he was the architect of several successful legislative initiatives and was in charge of New Mexico’s $1.25 billion lawsuit against the tobacco industry. Fred currently serves on the board of Williams College, his alma mater.

Roberta Cooper Ramo is the first woman elected President of the American Bar Association. Roberta serves on the State Board of Finance and is a former President of the Board of Regents of the University of New Mexico. She is a shareholder with the Modrall law firm and serves on many national boards.

Stewart Udall, Chair, served as Secretary of the Interior under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. Prior to that, Stewart served three terms in Congress. He is the author of “The Quiet Crisis” (1963), which tells the story of humankind’s stewardship over the planet’s resources, and “To the Inland Empire: Coronado and Our Spanish Legacy” (1987), which celebrates Hispanic contributions to our history.

Frank Ortiz (1926-2005), a career Foreign Service Officer of the United States, served as United States Ambassador to several countries, including Argentina, Guatemala, and Peru, and was a member of many boards throughout New Mexico. Frank was the founding Vice-Chairman of Think New Mexico's board, where he served until his death in 2005.