2011 Española Fiesta Board Members
Executive Fiesta Council
Manny Martinez -- President, Party and Events Chair, Entertainment Chair, Religious Chair
I was born and raised in Española. My parents are Mel and Jeri Martinez. I have four wonderful children, Sofia, Claudia, Rebecca and Isaiah. I am employed with Jemez Mountain Electric Co-op where I have worked for 20+ years.
My passion is music! I play for all occasion events and parties. I specialize in Country music, original music, soft rock and oldies. I am currently working on my second CD. Music is as much a part of me as my soul. I will continue to make music and enjoy the gift God has given me.
I enjoy helping my community by providing entertainment, providing sound for events, organize events and festivals and I’m asked to emcee for several events. More.
Andrew Herrera -- Vice President, Chair for Booth Rental
I was born and raised in the Española Valley, graduated in 1992 from Española Valley High School, pursued a degree in Organizational Management and currently work at the Plaza de Española as Director.
My first experience with the Fiestas in Española dates back to when I was young and enjoyed the carnival and food booths. Last year was the first year that I was really involved with the great celebration and decided I would get more involved with the 2010 Española Fiesta.
Judy Salazar-Martinez -- Treasurer, Co-Chair for Onate
I was born and raised in the two northern New Mexico communities of Youngsville and Cañones. The youngest of sixteen siblings, I am a firm believer in the values of faith, family and traditions. I am an educator in the Pojoaque Valley School District. The children are our most treasured jewel!!! Encenienlos a jugar y juegan, encenienlos a gritar y gritan, encenienlos los libros y se desarollaran con su educación. Su educación es lo unico que nadien les puede quitar!
Carmen Espinoza-Quintana -- Secretary, Chair for La Reina
I am a native of Española and I am married to Steve. I have one son, Derick, and one granddaughter, Keanna Camille. I am a licensed cosmetologist and spend a lot of time volunteering my time at McCurdy School where my granddaughter is a student. My hobbies include sewing and embroidery. I am participating in this year’s fiesta because I want my granddaughter to learn and appreciate her heritage.
Antoinette Vigil- Deputy Secretary, Onate, Booth, Publications and Event Committee member.
I was born in Denver, Colorado and moved to the Espanola/Arroyo Seco area when I was 12 years old. I went to school in Pojoaque and graduated in 1995. I am the mother of three wonderful children who help keep me motivated and inspired to be the best that I can be! I have a bachelors degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management. I have been employed with the Los Alamos National Laboratory for the last 9 years.
I have always been in awe of the Northern New Mexican culture and music and what better way to get a double dose then to participate in the Fiesta Council. The beauty and culture the fiestas display are like no other and I cannot wait for this year’s fiestas to kick off!
Fiesta Council Members
Leroy Martinez -- Onate Chair and Torch Run Chair
I was born and raised in Chimayo where my family roots run deep. I am married to Judy Salazar-Martinez and we have two daughters, Melissa and Camille, who have been involved in the Fiesta’s Royal Court for several years. By getting involved in the Fiesta Council, I am ensuring that the traditions and culture of the Española Valley are preserved for our children and grandchildren’s generation.
Julianna Martinez Barbee -- Co-Chair for Promotions and Publicity
I grew up in Española and left the state to pursue my TV broadcast career. My first career consisted of 25 years of broadcast television and marketing business (TV reporter, TV anchor, commercial producer, national advertising). I am a business owner of Barbee Training Nationwide. My husband, Greg, and I present training seminars nationwide. I am also the Director of the Small Business Development Center at NNMC where I assist businesses, entrepreneurs and artists in the areas of Broadcast Media, Marketing and Internet. I am a Certified National Stephen Covey Trainer in the "7 Habits for Small Business Managers". I have BA Degrees in Advertising/PR and Broadcast Journalism and TV Production. As a past fiesta queen, being involved with the fiestas is like walking in the footsteps of the past and present. Through time our cultures have become united by faith and family; time has brought me back to the place I call "home".
Greg Barbee -- Co-Chair for Promotions and Publicity
I grew up west of Denver, Colorado, skiing and bicycling. I received my BA in Mass Communication and Broadcast Journalism from NMSU and went out of state to work in radio and television as a reporter, anchor and news director. I am currently a Training Manager (Group Leader) at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) responsible for leading and managing three teams. I have 20 years experience in training and organizational development. I am a business owner of Barbee Training and Consulting Nationwide, together with my beautiful wife, Julianna. We team train and customize business training for businesses and conferences nationwide. Volunteering my time with the Fiesta Council is a rewarding experience because I love the small-town celebration of the community’s history. The event brings out the values of the community; the value of family and friends having an opportunity to come together and have fun.
Brian Martinez -- Entertainment and Music Chair
I have been a life-long resident of the beautiful Española Valley where I live with my beautiful wife, Danette, and our three wonderful children, Alyssa, Daynee and Brian Elijah-Jude. I spent the majority of my career working at Los Alamos National Laboratory where I am currently an Information Technology Manager. I am also the owner of Enchanted Music Productions, a full production music studio. I am an established musician and recording Artist with three CDs released on the independent market. My latest was released this May with my 9 year-old son. It is a Christian-based CD titled "Gracias Dios".
I have been part of the Fiestas for 4 years. I joined to help "bring back" the Fiesta tradition to our Valley and to help showcase the musical talent of Northern New Mexico. The Española area is blessed with some of the best musicians in the state.
Chayo Garcia -- Parade Committee
I was born in Las Cruces, NM. Moved to Española with Manuel (my husband) and raised my two boys here. They have moved away and my husband and I have stayed here to run the family business. I am currently a City Councilor of Española, that is when I became involved with the Fiesta de Española.
I love working on the Fiesta council because I have met the nicest people from Northern New Mexico. This is when I figured why they call this state "The Land Of Enchantment".
Derick Quintana -- Parade Chair
I am a native of Española and I am a single parent of one daughter, Keanna. I am a graduate of Pojoaque High School and a veteran of the United States Army. I have been employed by Jemez Mountain Electric Cooperative for 10 years. I enjoy the outdoors and being involved with my daughter’s activities and school. I joined the fiesta council to help instill the values of culture and tradition in our children.
Crystal Trujillo- Onate Committee
I was born and raised in the beautiful Española Valley and am the daughter of Carla Leivas. I graduated from Pojoaque High School in 2003 and went on to attend NMSU where I obtained a B.S in Civil Engineering. Currently I’m working as a General Engineer for The Department of Energy NNSA. My favorite thing to do is to spend time with my family and friends especially my nieces and nephews, travel, go camping, and to continuously learn about my culture. As a child I loved watching the parade, riding the carnival rides, and dancing to the music at the annual fiestas. It was a time of year that the entire community gathered together in such excitement and I couldn’t wait to be a part of it. I have been an active member in the council and the Onate committee for the past year and love every minute of it. Being involved in the council is my way of giving back to my community and keeping our heritage from fading away. It is very important especially for our generation that we don’t forget our culture and where we came from. The Española Valley truly is an amazing place, and I couldn’t be more proud to call it home. Que Viva La Fiestas!
Josephine Velasquez- Parade Co-Chair
Sev Garcia- Events and Onate Committee
Desirae Montoya- La Reina Committee
I was born and raised here in the Espanola Valley. I attended Espanola Valley High School and graduated from Eastern New Mexico University with a degree in Business Management and Human Resources Management. The Lord has blessed me with a wonderful husband Jolen Montoya and two beautiful boys Jolen and Josiah. I Work for the State of New Mexico Personnel Office as a Compensation and Classification Analyst. In my spare time I enjoy being outdoors, running, coaching youth soccer, and taking in the beautiful sight of my two little ones growing up.
This is my first year participating in the fiestas. Being involved has given me the opportunity to meet wonderful people who freely give their time to make the fiestas possible. The dedication put forth by this group is a perfect example of how a small a handful of people can make a change to better our community and provide a positive outlook for the Valley.
Rebecca Money- La Reina Committee
My name is Rebecca Money; I have two children and have been married for 27 years, to Robert Money who is a teacher at EVHS. My Children’s names are Julian and Vangalina Money, and both are in the military. I have two beautiful grandchildren John Paul and Layla. I work for VNB and have been with them for 6 years, some might call it my second home. I have been involved with the Fiesta Counsel in the past, this being my first year with the current counsel. My hobbies are going on Harley bike rides with my hubby and gardening.
John Ramon Vigil- Parade Committee, Childrens Parade Committee and Booths Committee
I am a proud resident of the Española Valley. This Fall I will be a Sophomore at Española Valley High School. My family has always been active in the community and I assume this was passed onto me.
I currently sit on the Española Public Library Board, and at age 14, I became the youngest appointed city board member in Española history. My involvement in school, includes Student Council, which I serve as the State Secretary for the New Mexico Association of Student Councils (NMASC) and as President of the North Central District of Student Councils.
This is my first year as a Fiesta Council Member and my second year being involved in the Council, the first year serving as a volunteer. My involvement in the Española Fiesta Council helps me work towards the betterment of this community. It is important to me to always try to do my part to give back to this beautiful valley. I want to continue to work towards building New Mexico as a land for progress and technology yet retaining the deep and rich culture and traditions that make this State wonderful.
Verna Trujillo- Religious
Steve Quintana- Parade
