Team Group: Advisory

Ilona Spruce comes from Taos Pueblo in New Mexico and currently serves as Tourism Director. As director, she handles the business side of the only living Native American community, which is also a World Heritage Site and a National Historic Landmark, and oversees policy, planning, and marketing. She ensures tourism at Taos Pueblo remains respectful and culturally sensitive, and in so doing promotes the economic development and sustainability of her people.

Aurora Valdez is a community member from Taos Pueblo, Arroyo Hondo, and Talpa. She has a background in public health. She is a field rep for a US Senator representing NM. She previously worked at Taos Pueblo Health & Community Services, CHRISTUS St. Vincent Medical Center, and the Santa Fe Public Schools. She founded the CNR Snow Sports Program at Taos Pueblo, and worked to help launch 100% Taos County Initiative. She is passionate about changing systems to ensure access to vital resources and components of the community where people can live well, play, and do what they love! She is glad to be back home in Taos after living away for school, and she happily resides with her toddler and husband on his family land in Las Colonias.

Eric Vasquez is a native of northern New Mexico whose roots go back for generations ranching and farming in the Espanola and Mora valleys. As a kid, one of Eric’s first jobs was mowing and bailing hay for the area huertas and vigitas. He’s dug ditches, fixed fence and started driving a tractor when he was 7 years old. Early on Eric learned his love of the land from horse camping his family would do up in the northern glacial lakes of Trampas. This is a love that continues to this day as Eric spends at least three weeks at a time each year on section hikes. He’s currently the Executive Director for the Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area where he works to preserve, protect and promote the cultures and heritage of the region through a variety of programs and grant opportunities. He previously served as a program manager for Chicanos por la Causa, the Executive Director of the Regional Coalition of LANL Communities, Publisher of the Valley Daily Post, Program Manager for the Regional Economic Development Initiative and Senior Policy Director for the Office of Lt. Governor.

Darlene Vigil is currently a Taos County Commissioner and a life long resident of Taos New Mexico (Cordillera). She began her career in public service at the Taos County Assessor’s office in 1983, and retired after 31 years. Darlene is committed to maintaining traditional and cultural practices that benefit present and future generations in an ever changing world. Darlene resides on the following boards that aspire to keeping querencia y herencia in the forefront, such as, TCEDC – Taos County Economic Development Corp., NM Association of Counties, National Association of Counties – Agricultural & Rural Affairs Board, Taos County Cooperative Weed Management, Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area, HECHO’s Hispanic Conservation Leadership Council and is President of Alianza Agri-Cultura de Taos. She also is currently involved with the 100% Community initiative working towards providing essential services for the entire county. She believes in the wisdom of the community and continually draws from it!

Charles Whitson is a nonprofit and business professional with 20 years of administrative, management, and executive experience in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. Focused on operations, project management, and executive management, he has lead teams of employees, volunteers, and organizations to plan and implement projects and initiatives, large and small, throughout New Mexico. He is committed to serving his community and is passionate about creating opportunities for the younger generations.