This Week: On a (trade) mission

Over the past year, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has seen a lot of the world. She's now landed in four countries on three continents since September 2023. All but one of those trips - a speaking engagement at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in December - has been labeled a "trade mission" by her administration, with the aim to bring more international companies to the Land of Enchantment. And they've bore fruit. In this enterprise piece by economic development reporter Drew G. , learn about how her team feels having the Governor shaking hands and meeting one-on-one with potential new company officials showcases New Mexico as a stable and innovative place to do business. | READ MORE

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News You'll Want to Know

Stories you'll want to read to start your weekend:

• A big move coming from Albuquerque Public Schools - Monica Armenta , who's served as the district's executive director for communications, is leaving after 25 years to head up the New Mexico Broadcasters Association effective July 22. If you've been in Burque a while, you'll know she started her career at KOB-TV as an award-winning anchor and reporter for 23 years before making the move to APS. “I always believed you should trust your gut, and I wanted to go back to my roots,” Armenta said in an interview with Albuquerque Business First. “I missed TV broadcasting, and it seemed the right time to pivot. I’m ready for change, and I really don’t ever remember being this excited." Armenta has some big shoes to fill at the NMBA - she'll be replacing Paula Maes, who headed up the organization for the last 30 years, recently announcing her retirement. Learn more about the move in this article from ABF Managing Editor Wende Schwingendorf BA, MFA . | READ MORE
• It's been a big few years for Andrea Griego, CEO of First Rate Plumbing, Heating and Cooling. Griego, who was honored last week as one of ABF's 40 Under 40 and whose company was named an ABF Best Place to Work, recently relocated her Albuquerque office and opened a new space in Rio Rancho to accommodate her more than 50,000 customers, mainly gathered by the acquisition of Desert Suns Plumbing and Sunshine Plumbing's residential division. She started in the HVAC industry as a dispatcher, moving to HVAC installation manager and then vice president. At age 33, she's now running one of the largest HVAC companies in the area. Commercial real estate reporter Aayush Gupta covers the story. | READ MORE
• It's been six years since Albuquerque aerospace nonprofit NewSpace Nexus first hosted its State of the Space Industrial Base Conference. This year, according to CEO Casey DeRaad , this year's event was the biggest so far, bringing in more than 275 people. Events included panel discussions, workshops and "co-innovation sessions" over the three-day event. One of the goals of the event - to invite space companies and industry partners from outside the Land of Enchantment. "It's a good time to invest in the space industry," said Dan Schatzman, CEO and managing partner of SpaceFund , based out of Houston, adding that New Mexico is well-positioned to be a leader in the industry because of our location within "Space Valley" - which stretches from Boca Chica, Texas (home of SpaceX ) north to Colorado, where another symposium is held in Colorado Springs. Learn about who was there and what was talked about in this story by energy/tech and Inno reporter Jacob Maranda . | READ MORE

We've got some great events coming up - it's a great place to network, plus learn about what's happening across the state:

• 2024 Energy Outlook (June 13, 8-10 a.m.): In this exclusive gathering, thought leaders, industry pioneers, and business visionaries will converge for a compelling discussion on the state and future of the energy industry in New Mexico.?Explore deep insights into New Mexico's energy landscape at our event, where industry experts dissect current trends and future outlooks.?| REGISTER HERE
• 2024 Best Places to Work Awards (Aug. 6, 6 p.m.) Don't miss this once in a lifetime, Meow Wolf experience as Albuquerque Business First celebrates New Mexico's Best Places to Work! Now in it's 18th year, ABF's Best Places to Work Awards recognizes the top companies in our region for going above and beyond in creating an enjoyable workplace environment and culture for their employees. Join us for amazing giveaways and themed food and drink. | REGISTER HERE ?

And finally...

Each year, Albuquerque Business First creates a Book of Lists and Leaders that serves as a recurring resource for the local business community. Compiled by data reporter Jayme Sileo , it's more than just a directory of organizations filled with facts and figures. It tells a story of growth and impact. The 2024-25 Book of Lists, which will come out later this year, is centered on the future of New Mexico. To that end, we're collecting works of art from students statewide, asking: "What does New Mexico look like to you?" We have a feeling that looking through the lens of young people, we'll inject life into our communities. Get more information or submit a piece HERE .

Our newsletter is curated by Albuquerque Business First's Managing Editor Wende Schwingendorf BA, MFA . If you have tips you'd like our reporters to check out, please reach out to her at [email protected] , or to our Editor-in-Chief Meagan Nichols at [email protected] .