Rebecca Dow is the 42 year old wife of Aaron Dow, and mother of two children Jaylah Danielle Dow-Pendleton, and Seth Dow. Aaron and Rebecca own Dow Technology, a multifaceted technology firm. In addition, Rebecca provides consultation services to for-profit and faith-based early childhood providers operating in the Rocky Mountain region. Rebecca is a member of the New Mexico Association of Commerce and Industry. She is a member of the Truth or Consequences Rotary Club and active at her local church. "I've always been a good businesswomen. I started my first business in third grade. My grandma let me have a section of her garden. With an abundance of 'crops' I loaded my red rider wagon and sold produce door to door in my neighborhood. In high school I operated a vending machine and taught piano lessons." She holds an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood from Tulsa Community College and a bachelors in Business Management from Oral Roberts University.
Rebecca is the founder and director of AppleTree Educational Center, one of Sierra County, NM's largest employers. AppleTree provides early care and education, New Mexico PreK and Early PreK, K-12 private schooling, college and career preparation services for youth to adult learners, New Mexico Home Visiting, and comprehensive family support services. "So many social issues we face in New Mexico are tied to poverty and hopelessness. Children do not choose their circumstances, yet these circumstances often determine their future ability to become productive citizens. I have heard it said, 'It is easier to build a healthy child than to mend a broken man.' In 1999 My family shifted our efforts from the corporate world, to addressing the issues effected by poverty. Focusing on early childhood was an economic strategy. Not only can we help families raise healthy children ready to succeed in school, families can also work and go to school knowing their children are safe and learning."
She serves as the Policy Chair of the New Mexico Child Care and Education Association, a statewide trade association for licensed child care providers. Rebecca is a founding member of the New Mexico Early Childhood Alliance, and is the founder and president of the Boys and Girls Club of Sierra County. She is the founding chair of the Sierra County Juvenile Justice Advisory Council. Rebecca represents the State of New Mexico on the National Early Childhood Education Consortium.
Rebecca has served on various commissions, councils and task forces for Democrat and Republican Governors, including Susanna Martinez's Business Friendly Task Force, CYFD and HHS transition teams, and currently serves on the Early Learning Advisory Council. She has been a featured speaker for the Association of Christian Schools International, presented on the state and national level for the National Association for the Education of Young Children as well as the National Child Care Association, and has testified before elected officials at the state and national level on behalf of private and faith-based early childhood providers, and the families they serve. She is actively involved in the legislative process, working with legislators and various associations to to draft and pass multiple bills and memorials impacting District 38.
Rebecca is the recipient of the 2008 Governor's Award for Outstanding New Mexico Woman, Distinguished Alumni of Tulsa Community College, and a Leadership Award from the National Childcare Association. AppleTree was recognized with the Excellence in Education award from Educate New Mexico, Pioneers in New Mexico Pre-K from the NM Lieutenant Governor Dianne Denish, the Exemplary Program Award from the Association of Christian Schools International, and the Rio Grande Award for Excellence in Youth Services from the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico.