Alamosa, CO – The Board of Directors has developed an interim management structure for the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area while it deliberates on a more permanent arrangement. Rick Manzanares has been named as Interim Program Director, Julie Chacon, who has served as Administrative Assistant has now been named as Interim Financial Director. Krystin Chee will serve as Marketing person full-time. The Board of Directors made these moves in order to assure continuum for the important program activities and the further development of more permanent signature projects.
Dr. Charles Nicholas Saenz was recently elected President of the Board of Directors replacing President Robert Rael. The Board hopes to have a full complement of 13 members within the next month. Dr. Saenz is Assistant Professor of History at Adams State University.
Rick Manzanares is a former Museum Director of the Fort Garland Museum where he served for 15 years. In his most recent position, Manzanares served as the Executive Director of Canyons & Plains of Southeast Colorado, a heritage tourism organization. He was also part of the Steering Committee for the development of the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area. After passage of the enabling legislation, Manzanares served on the Board of Directors for two years.
Julie Chacon, a native of Capulin, has been Administrative Assistant for the past two years. The Board recognized her service and asked her to serve as the organization’s Interim Financial Director on an interim basis.
Krystin Chee is a recent graduate of Adams State University where she received her B.S. in Business Management. She will be working on marketing strategies as the organization grows and moves forward.
About SdCNHA: Established March 30, 2009 in Public Law 111-11 for the purpose of providing an “integrated and cooperative approach for the protection, enhancement, and interpretation of the natural, cultural, historic, scenic, and recreational resources and a rich mixture of Hispano and Anglo settlements coverage here to make this one of the most unique and well-preserved cultural landscapes in the nation.
The SdCNHA office are housed in the San Luis Valley Water Conservancy District located at 623 4th Street Alamosa CO 81101.
