Davin Lopez, MVEDA President & CEO, was born in Michigan, but raised in New Mexico with New Mexican roots going back over 200 years. Prior to coming to MVEDA in February, 2009, Davin served as Vice President of the New Mexico Partnership, the private economic development business attraction arm of the State of New Mexico, joining the Partnership at its inception in 2003.

Davin spent five years in corporate real estate with two of the largest Real Estate Investment Trusts in the U.S., General Growth Properties (GGP) and the Macerich Company (MACE), where he held roles as Director of New Business Development and Strategic Planning. He also spent two years in private business consulting advising smaller, high-growth companies on their strategic initiatives and growth plans. 

Davin holds an MBA from Yale University and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of California, San Diego, and is also a licensed real estate Broker in the State of New Mexico.

Les Baldock, MVEDA Operations Manager, is a native New Mexican. Following a successful career in small business, Les relocated to Las Cruces in 1993. He spent 5-years with the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce as Director of Business Services and joined the MVEDA staff in June, 2000. He is a member of the New Mexico Industrial Development Executives (NMIDEA) and manages a number of special projects for MVEDA.

Fred Shepherd, MVEDA Business Development Manager, is a native of Utah who moved to Las Cruces in May of 2003 and shortly thereafter joined MVEDA as a Research Analyst. He has since been promoted to Business Development Manager and has assisted a number of companies that have recently expanded or relocated to Southern New Mexico such as D.A. Inc, VMC, Northwire, and Sitel. Fred has completed all of the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute courses and plans to take the exam to earn the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation.

Jaclyn AaronsCooke, MVEDA Research Analyst, is a native of California. She received her degree in Economics from New Mexico State University in May, 2005 and joined the MVEDA staff in November, 2005. Jaclyn develops custom proposal packets and operating cost comparisons for prospective companies. She is also planning to take the exam for the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) after completing the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute courses.

Sandi Metz, MVEDA Executive Assistant, is a California native. In addition to managing Davin’s busy schedule, Sandi is also the office travel and special events coordinator. She brings 30-years of experience in federal government service, working with the military and the Department of Defense and joined MVEDA in July 2004.