2025 Prospectors Passign the Gavel Ceremony with Carlos Lucero (Past President) passing to Romeo Cruz (New President)On August 14, 2025, The Grant County Prospectors officially passed the gavel to the organization's new officers. This special ceremony highlights accomplishments by leaders from this past year and welcomes in the new team for the 2025-26 term. The new officers include: President - Romeo Cruz, Director of the Silver City Grant County Chamber of Commerce; 1st Vice President - Bart Roselli, Director of the Silver City Museum; 2nd Vice President, Priscilla Lucero, Southwest Council of Governments; Secretary - Misty Pugmire, Retired and Treasurer of Community Partnership for Children; and Treasurer - Vladimir Gnilozubov, Edward Jones Investments Financial Advisor.
2025-26 Grant County Prospectors Officers (Vladimir Gnilozubov-Treas, Priscilla Lucero-2nd VP, Bart Roselli-1st VP, and Romeo Cruz-PresAppointed Committee Leadership includes: By-laws Committee - Mike McMillian, Southwest Bone and Joint Operations Officer; Membership Committee - Misty Pugmire (Co-Chr) and Dr. Sabrina Pack, COO SkyWest Media (Co-Chr); and Advocacy Committee - Kim Clark, Silver City Association of Realtors, Executive and Governmental Affairs Director, (Co-Chr) and Priscilla Lucero, Executive Director Southwest Council of Governments (Co-Chr).
The Board of Directors includes: Chairman (President) - Romeo Cruz; 1st Vice President - Bart Roselli; 2nd Vice President - Priscilla Lucero; Secretary - Misty Pugmire; Treasurer - Vladimir Gnilozubov; Past President - Carlos Lucero; and Advocacy Co-Chair - Kim Clark.
2025 Prospectors with Kim Clark (special service recognition) presented by Dr. Sabrina Pack-MemberAt the Grant County Prospector's regular August meeting a special ceremony was held to recognize members for their service and to officially pass the gavel. The ceremony was led by Dr. Sabrina Pack. Kim Clark was present with a crystal trophy recognizing her for countless hours of dedicated service to improving the lives of so many in Grant County. Carlos Lucero was recognized for his outstanding leadership this past year as President 2024-2025. The recognition gavel plaque was presented by his mother, Priscilla Lucero. Carols Lucero then officially passed the traveling gavel to incoming president, Romeo Cruz.
Founded in 1973, the Grant County Prospectors is considered by many to be the very first regional advocacy group in the State of New Mexico. Prospectors is a nonpartisan and nonpolitical entity. The group advocates for the local community by educating and creating awareness among legislators and the general public of issues facing the communities of Grant County and the importance of aligning public policy to address the need.
2025 Prospectors Carols Lucero Presented Gavel Plaque by Priscilla LuceroProspectors hold several events each year, with two of these being the most significant contributions of their work. One event is the hosting of "Grant County Day" at the New Mexico State Legislature in Santa Fe, which is a one day event where the needs of Grant County are showcased to the Governor, legislators and cabinet members. The second significant event is that of the "Grant County Forum" event. The Forum was formed at the request of local Legislators for the purpose of creating an opportunity for county entities to have an open dialogue with them about community needs and projects. The Forum results in summary notebooks compiled by the Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments for each of the area legislators and sets the agenda for Grant County Day. Grant County Prospectors also help in different ways with Interim Committees visiting the area for their meetings.
Carlos Lucero (past president) with Kim Clark (special service recognition)The objective of the Prospectors is to contribute to the long-range improvements of the economic conditions in the Grant County area. To accomplish this objective, the Prospectors develop goals to best utilize county and community natural and human resources, and strive to serve as a catalyst to activate service clubs, units of government, and appropriate groups or organizations in overall economic development activities. To learn more, go to www.GrantCountyProspectors.org.
