NM ROUTE 66 ASSOCIATION
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New Mexico
Route 66 Association
Board of Directors 

Our Board of Directors bring their specific talents and time to our organization ​and we are so thankful for their tireless enthusiasm ​and support.

If you are interested in becoming an officer, board member, or advisor sometime down the road, we'd love to hear from you!
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Vickie Ashcraft (B.O.D.)
Albuquerque, NM - Bernalillo County 
  • Owner, Enchanted Trails RV Park and Trading Post
  • Current Board of Director Member
  • Former Association President  (2008 - 2013)
  • Started annual NM Route 66 Motor Tour and ongoing motor tour committee member.
  • Created and in charge of association Facebook page – postings and answering FB messages.
  • Took part in City of Albuquerque’s NM Rt. 66 Corridor Management Plan.
  • Wrote grants for NM Dept. of Tourism Cooperative Marketing Program.
  • Participated in numerous tv, newspaper and video interviews regarding Route 66.
  • Handled magazine ad sales, billing and delivered the magazines throughout the state.
  • Location host of meetings, events, and celebrations.


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Gregory Hasman (B.O.D.)
Albuquerque, NM - Bernalillo County
  • I enjoy writing and taking photos of anything interesting along the open road. I could put that to good use for the New Mexico Route 66 Association’s Magazine or social media pages.
  • Recently moved to Albuquerque and joined the New Mexico Route 66 Association.
  • Have experience as a member and director of the Wyoming state chapter of the Lincoln Highway Association. This included helping put together a national conference in Rock Springs in 2019, i.e. putting together a tour itinerary and bringing in speakers to talk at an event dinner.
  • Writer for New Mexico Route 66 Magazine. 
  • Deliver Magazines wherever needed throughout the state. 
  • Member of assn. Social Media Committee – Facebook postings.
  • I plan to go to different communities and talk to folks about the importance of preserving 66, recruit new businesses, and sell ads for the publication.

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Jennifer Lazarz (Treasurer & B.O.D.)
Gallup, NM - McKinley County
  • Events Planner and Tradeshow Manager, Medical Informatics.
  • I was with the City of Gallup for almost seven years, first with the historic El Morro and then expanding into the tourism and marketing role. I managed public relations, marketing, sales, community development, and our lodger's tax fund. I've been hands-on with web development, graphic design, social media management, strategic planning, project management, & more. Currently I plan all events and tradeshows for Medical Informatics.
  • I currently serve as the Public Relations committee chair with the Gallup Elks Lodge #1440.
  • I have been working with the New Mexico Route 66 Association for several years now to promote Gallup and help improve the public's awareness of Gallup on western New Mexico Route 66. I have run ads in the New Mexico Route 66 Association Magazine, done local distribution, given out magazines at a conference and proposed adding the magazine to the State's coop marketing program.
  • I believe the Association would benefit from my sales and marketing experience, the fact that I can help network the western portion of the Mother Road, and my relationship with the State Tourism office. 
  • I'd like to assist with social media for the New Mexico Route 66 Association as well as facilitate a stronger relationship between the association and the State tourism department.
  • Currently working to improve Route 66 signage and infrastructure within our community and identifying ways that I can work with partners in the Association and across the state to develop plans and implementation for the 100th Anniversary of Route 66 in 2026. ​

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Mike Lee (B.O.D.)
Elephant Butte, NM - Sierra County
  • President and CEO, Fast TV Network
  • I’ve traveled the west and had a love for Route 66 since I started my western racing career in 1990.
  • Traveled, hosted, and produced episodes of Legends of Route 66 since 2016.
  • Since 2020 I have assisted the President unofficially on association trips and tasks.
  • Created and in charge of the association Twitter page – postings and answering messages.
  • Filmed the New Mexico Rt66 Assn. Land of Enchantment Motor Tour in 2021 and 2022.
  • Written articles for New Mexico Route 66 Magazine.
  • I plan help preserve properties that need our attention as well as help sell memberships, preservation donations and assist in preservation projects. 

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​Connie Loveland (Secretary & B.O.D.)
Tucumcari, NM - Quay County
  • Executive Director, Tucumcari MainStreet
  • I've been the Executive Director for Tucumcari MainStreet for 2 1/2 years where I work closely with the City of Tucumcari and Quay County Government, Tucumcari Chamber of Commerce and Tucumcari Economic Development Corporation. Our focus as a community driven nonprofit is to create economic development opportunities, work to preserve the historic cultural assets of our community and create a community both locals and tourists will love. I handle all aspects of project management, promotion, fundraising and grant writing for our organization as well as volunteer coordinator and event planning for Tucumcari MainSteet and the Tucumcari Railroad Museum.
  • Currently serving as the Secretary for the NM Coalition of Main Street Communities as well as ex-officio member of the Tucumcari Chamber of Commerce.
  • I enjoy local history, travel and photography. I believe the association would benefit from my networking and fundraising experience as well as my connection with the New Mexico MainStreet Association and MainStreet America.
  • Team lead for the development of the new Visit Tucumcari brand launch in December 2020 which includes new logos, visitor guide development as well as social media and print marketing.
  • Worked with the Association on the 2021 Motor Tour.
  • I have been working with association Preservation Officer, Johnnie Meier, for the restoration of the Odeon Theatre neon sign.
  • Tucumcari MainStreet is a member of the association and we have worked together on projects to promote Tucumcari through the association magazine as well as Fast TV Network. Tucumcari Mainstreet distributes the magazine through the Tucumcari Railroad Museum as well as handing them out to our local Main Street district businesses.
  • I would like to assist with event planning such as the Motor Tour and any other events the association puts on. I am working with the Chamber of Commerce, City Marketing Team and local businesses to increase promotion of our local businesses, Museums and Tucumcari Talking Tour. I would love to work with Association to plan events and raise awareness for the upcoming 100th anniversary of Route 66!

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​Johnnie Meier (B.O.D.)
Embudo, NM - Rio Arriba County
  • Owner, Classical Gas Museum
  • Current Board of Director Member
  • Current Association Preservationist
  • Current Chair of Historic Preservation and Neon Preservation
  • Former Association President (2001-2003)
  • Created associations New Mexico Route 66 Magazine.
  • Produced and Directed PBS documentary “Route 66, The Neon Road” in collaboration with the New Mexico Route 66 Association. It won the regional Emmy Award for Best Cultural Documentary of 2003.    
  • Earned New Mexico Heritage Preservation Award for National Park Service Funded Neon Preservation Project resulting in the restoration of 10 neon signs on New Mexico's Route 66.
  • One of 12 Dullest People in America certified by the Dull Men's Club - Included in the 2021 Dull Men's Calendar
  • Regular contributor to Fast TV’s series, Legends of Route 66, sharing historic preservation knowledge and insight.

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Larry Plath (B.O.D.)
Albuquerque, NM - Bernalillo County
  • Owner & Vice President of Southwest Outdoor Electric Inc, Signs
  • 3rd generation sign manufacturer & installer and owner of a sign company established in 1968 by my father John L. Plath, a 2nd generation sign installer. My grandfather J. Wilbur Jones was a founding member of Zeon Signs in Albuquerque.
  • Served as Executive Director of the New Mexico Sign Association and President of Mile High Little League.
  • Restored several of the Route 66 restoration signs exhibited in the PBS documentary “Route 66, The Neon Road” in collaboration with the New Mexico Route 66 Association, such as the Sun and Sand Motel - Santa Rosa and the El Comedor de Anayas Rotosphere - Moriarty. The documentary won the regional Emmy Award for Best Cultural Documentary of 2003.
  • Earned New Mexico Heritage Preservation Award for National Park Service Funded Neon Preservation Project resulting in the restoration of 10 neon signs on New Mexico's Route 66.
  • Restored the De Anza Motor Lodge neon sign in Albuquerque that was relit on January 5, 2020.
  • I have been a member of the New Mexico Route 66 Association since it was founded in 1989 and contributed old components and knowledge of signs on Route 66.
  • I’m interested in preserving the legacy of The Mother Road by offering extensive knowledge of the many signs I’ve serviced and restored throughout the years, including signs on pre-1937 Route 66.
  • I will be a proud, active and productive board member who contributes knowledge and guidance to the New Mexico Route 66 Association to preserve our routes neon sign legacy.

William Yarborough (B.O.D.)
Grants, NM - Cibola County

Contact us if you would like to be a steward of the Mother Road in New Mexico!


Board of Directors terms, roles and responsibilities:
 
TERMS
The term of office of the Board of Directors shall be for 3 years. There are no limits to consecutive terms of office for Directors.
 
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Attend all board meetings, committee meetings and functions throughout the state and be prepared to participate.
  • Serve on a minimum of one (1) committee and offer to take on special assignments as needed.
  • Participate actively in the board’s annual evaluation and planning efforts.
  • Stay informed about board and committee matters; review and comment on minutes and reports.
  • Keep up-to-date on developments in the Association’s field.
  • Follow developments in state and local areas that may affect the Association and inform board of such information.
  • Determine and monitor the Association’s products and programs.
  • Participate actively in the sale and distribution of Association’s products and programs.
  • Participate in fundraising for the Association’s operations to finance products and programs adequately.
  • Participate actively in the sale of new ads for the New Mexico Route 66 Magazine and follow up on all previous ads.
  • Distribute New Mexico Route 66 Magazine in his/her area.
  • Manage resources efficiently and effectively.
  • Enhance the Association’s public image.
  • Inform others about the Association.
  • Participate actively in recruiting new memberships and follow up on renewal memberships as needed.
  • Canvas elected officials and local leaders in his/her community for preservation needs and projects and who can help implement them.
  • Assist the board in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities such as reviewing the Association’s annual financial statements.
  • Suggest nominees to the board who can make significant contributions to the work of the board and the Association.
  • Follow conflict of interest and confidentiality policies.
  • Maintain your Association membership.

Looking for New Mexico Route 66 Information? 

Our organization has the largest collection of New Mexico based Route 66 information curated in its collection of
​magazines and historic affiliations.   There are articles, guides, news, and event details as well as important history.
Please contact us if you have a specific question and we'll do our very best to get you the information that you need. 
Donate - Contact Us - Become a Member

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  • HOME
  • About
    • Who Are We?
    • Preservation
    • The Neon Road
    • Archives
  • Join Us!
    • Become a Member
    • Business Directory
    • Events/Gallery
    • Contact
    • Donate
  • Tour
    • Motor Tour Information
    • Plan Your New Mexico Trip
    • Maps & Guides
    • New Mexico's Native American Communities
    • Our Rt 66 Sister Associations
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Shop