Senate Advisor – Sen. Harold Pope Jr.
New Mexico State Senator Harold Pope Jr., Captain, U.S. Air Force (Ret.) served in both the enlisted and officer ranks on both active duty and in the reserves. He retired at Kirtland AFB in 2018 with over 20 years of honorable service.
House Advisor – Rep. Debbie Sariñana
NM Representative Debbie Sariñana was elected to Albuquerque House District 21 in 2020. She currently serves on the House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee, and the House Appropriations and Finance Committee.
Legislative Advocate – Chris Sedillo
After 26 years in the U.S. Navy. Chris Sedillo returned to civilian life in Albuquerque, took numerous job-certification classes, became a primary caregiver for family members, ran for City Council, and bought a house where he plans to live in for the rest of his life.
Legislative Advocate – Shannon Reynolds
Shannon Reynolds was elected to the Doňa Ana County Commission in 2018 and also served as a City councilman in Milford, Ohio, before moving to New Mexico in 2015. He volunteered to serve in the USAF during Vietnam.
CVA Chair – Beverly Neal Clinton
Originally from South Carolina, Beverly Neal-Clinton’s journey has taken her around the world, from Australia and New Zealand to Costa Rica, before settling in New Mexico. Beverly was elected to the Los Alamos County Council in 2024.
Legislative Advocate – Bob Carroll – USMC Vietnam Veteran
Bob Carroll, a USMC Vietnam veteran, has lived in NM since 1993 with his wife, Leslie. A former Vice Chair of the VMFC, Bob and his wife, Leslie Lawner, a former teacher, have been active in NM politics since 2008.
Legislative Advocate – Frank J Smith – Marine Corp. Veteran
Frank J. Smith’s tours of active duty included serving as a Personnel Chief at Marine Corps Air Station, Marine Drill Instructor, NCOIC of the Marine Detachment, and Personnel Chief to the Chief of Staff, 2nd Marine Division.
Legislative Advocate – Richard Moody
Both of Rick Moody’s parents spent careers in the US Army so he grew up on military bases across the US. Rick was a Defense and State Department contractor abroad for 18 years before returning to New Mexico with his wife, Claudia Risner, Captain, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
Legislative Analyst – Joan Dickerson
Joan Dickerson is a military family member who uses 30 years of experience as a an IT professional and business analyst to guide’s the VMFC’s legislative advocacy analyzing bills and managing the Caucus’s bill tracker during legislative sessions.
Legislative Advocate – Claudia Risner
Claudia Risner, Captain, U.S. Navy (ret), served on active duty for 29 years both stateside and overseas as a Fleet Support Officer and Foreign Area Officer. After her active-duty service, she went back to school to earn her PhD in International Studies.