
The University of New Mexico
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Carolyn Gonzales 277-5920
cgonzal@unm.edu
Sept. 24, 2007
Regina Chavez to Receive Alumni of the Year Award from UNM School of Architecture and Planning
On Friday, Sept. 28 as part of UNM Homecoming festivities, the School of Architecture and Planning Alumni Chapter will present the Maureen Walter Alumni of the Year Award to Regina Chavez.
Chavez graduated with her master’s in Community and Regional Planning in 1999 and served on the alumni board from 2003-07.
A long time City of Albuquerque employee, she recently left to form her own consulting business Cultural Econ.
This is the third time the award has been given. It is named in memory of Maureen Walter, alum and one of the four founders of the chapter, who passed away in 2005. It is based on service to the school and the community.
In her work with the City of Albuquerque’s Economic Development Department, Chavez worked with community partners to recruit, retain and expand desirable economic-based companies. Project focus is on small business, arts and culture, downtown revitalization, sustainable/green economic development, incentives, and industrial revenue bonds program.
“The Community and Regional Planning Program gives graduates skills that allow us to look at any discipline and apply a way of seeing a problem and devising a solution. It is best at giving us a vision. The vision – whether it’s applied to planning, public art, transportation or any area – helps us see through to a solution in a creative way,” Chavez said.
In the Aviation Department, she worked with the director of Aviation, Airport Advisory Board, Albuquerque Arts Board, Aviation Arts Planning Committee and the City’s Public Art Program to develop and manage the Arts Program of the Albuquerque International Sunport.
She maintained the airport’s 112-piece permanent art collection, coordinating airport public art acquisitions, working with local museums and non-profit organizations to develop permanent and temporary exhibits, establishing the airport’s art master plan and policies, producing the Sunport Serenades year-round musical performance series, and serving as the Sunport’s liaison with local arts organizations and the public.
With the Hispanic Culture Foundation, she served as executive director and director of finance and personnel. She reported to a 15-member board of trustees to develop and administer arts, cultural, and educational programs, promotional material, fundraising activities, financial management, the foundation newsletter, staff and board development, and community relations.
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