Welcoming Our New Board Members
The Cornerstones Board of Directors is a wonderful and growing assortment of long-time Northern New Mexican community members and people who have loved this area of the Southwest for many years. In this edition of the Mud Blast, we want to introduce our newest members! We continue to find ever-more talented and passionate volunteers willing to assist our staff in the work that makes historic preservation possible. We are excited to welcome Gary, Shelley, Lori, and Tracy, our newest Board cohort, and we are thrilled to share some of what they are bringing to the Cornerstones community.
Gary Newgent
Gary Newgent grew up in Oklahoma City and attended Oklahoma City University graduating with a BS in Business and JD degrees. During his career he worked in the real estate departments of several national retail chains specializing in new store development and design, utilizing his accounting and construction background along with his New Mexico and Oklahoma law licenses. His volunteer activities include founding and serving as the President of the Site Steward Foundation and Vice President of the Archaeological Society of New Mexico. Gary and his wife Shelley Thompson have two daughters and have resided in Santa Fe since 2005.
Shelley Thompson
Shelley Thompson is from Fort Worth, Texas, and holds a BBA in Marketing from Texas Christian University. Shelley and her husband Gary have lived in New Mexico since 2000. Recently retired, Shelley spent the last 15 years of her career as Director of Marketing and Outreach and Publisher of El Palacio magazine for the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. Shelley has been a volunteer archeological Site Steward in New Mexico for more than 20 years. She enjoys cooking, gardening, research, and her new puppy, Mavis.
Loretta Valencia
My name is Loretta Valencia. My husband is Harold Valencia, and we have two grown sons, Phillip and Marcus Valencia. I was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. My family then lived in Taos for a few years and eventually settled here in Santa Fe. I was 7 at that time. I was educated at St. Francis Catholic Elementary, Nava Elementary, and St. Catherine’s Indian High School. I went on to New Mexico State University and majored in Accounting. I have worked as an accountant since 1984.
Although my profession is Public Accounting, I have an affinity for New Mexico’s history, cultures, environment, and citizens. St. Catherine’s provided a lifelong appreciation of Native American culture and traditions. I am currently the Treasurer of the Santa Fe Watershed Association.
Cornerstones Community Partnerships restores, rebuilds, and revives Santa Fe and the surrounding areas. I’m particularly impressed with how Cornerstones is looking forward by incorporating solar energy. Sunshine is definitely abundant here. Emphasis on ‘hands-on’ restoration brings a true-to-life approach and appreciation for how our ancestors built and lived. I also believe this approach establishes healthy relationships in our present community.
Tracy Lattin
I lived in Los Alamos, New Mexico, for thirty years before moving to Santa Fe in November 2020. I received my Bachelor of Accountancy at New Mexico State University, and I am a Certified Public Accountant. I retired in March 2020 and spent the majority of my career as an accountant and financial manager at Los Alamos National Laboratory. I am married and have two children, a daughter and a son. In addition, I became a grandmother two years ago and my grandson is my pride and joy. My husband and I love to travel when we can. We have been to various countries in Europe, and we love going to Mexico. I am an exercise enthusiast and like to hike and play pickle ball.