Meet The Commissioners
Mark Apodaca, Chair
~Deaf or Hard of Hearing Professional
Mark Apodaca has been a member of the commission board since 2007. He has long been involved with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community, having served on various local, state, and national nonprofit organization boards. Since moving to New Mexico in 2006, Mark has been working for the New Mexico School for the Deaf as its Director of Business and Finance.
Appointment Letter
David Romine, Vice-Chair
~Deaf or Hard of Hearing Representative from Northern New Mexico
David R. Romine is the vice president of the New Mexico chapter of Hands and Voices, a non-biased group for parents of Deaf or Hard of Hearing children. He recently earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of New Mexico.
Kimberly Silva, Secretary
~Parent of a Deaf or Hard of Hearing Child
Kimberly Silva graduated from Creighton University with a bachelor's degree in biology. She has worked for Intel Corporation in the Environment, Health and Safety Department. She is dedicated to improving educational outcomes for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children in New Mexico, as well as providing support and encouragement for their families. A founder of the Albuquerque Sign Language Academy, she is excited about the charter school's possibilities. She and her husband Danny have three children: Thomas, who is Deaf, and twins Gracie and Nicholas.
Ronald Stern
~Superintendent of the New Mexico School for the Deaf
Ronald Stern, PhEd, grew up in New York City attending a variety of schools, then earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from Gallaudet University. He went on to earn a master's degree in deaf education from California State University, Northridge. Prior to his current position as superintendent of the New Mexico School for the Deaf, Ronald taught science and English to middle and high school students at the California School for the Deaf in Riverside, Berkeley and Fremont. He also served as the middle school principal and, after a one-year stint as Gallaudet's athletic director, as the director of instruction at the California School for the Deaf in Fremont. Over the years, Ron has served in numerous voluntary capacities in the Deaf community and community at large. He and his wife Hedy are the proud parents of three Deaf adults.
James DeBee
~President of the New Mexico Association of the Deaf
James R. DeBee is the founder of DeBee Communications, Inc., a company that produces documentaries, talk shows, commercials, various programs and educational videotapes. In addition, DeBee Communications provides captioning and educational technology services. He holds a bachelor’s degree in radio, television and film from California State University, Northridge, and a degree in media communications from Rochester Institute of Technology. He also has master’s degree in educational technology management and public policy from Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh.
An Emmy-award winning executive producer with over 30 years of video/film experience, James has worked in many different capacities: producing, directing, writing, editing, photography, media, educational technology and business consultation. In addition, he has served in the Deaf Community for many years in various roles. He is currently President of the New Mexico Association of the Deaf. He served as Advisory Member of the Advisory Council of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for Pennsylvania Governor. He was a Board Member, Vice President, and President of the Pennsylvania Society of the Advancement for the Deaf. He also served as Chair of Communication, Access & Technology for Pennsylvania Society of the Advancement for the Deaf. He was President of the Western PA School for the Deaf Alumni Association.
James has a loving wife, Joanne and three daughters.
Debbie Hambel
~Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Division Representative
Debbie Hambel graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a bachelors and masters degree in vocational rehabilitation. Prior to moving from Colorado to New Mexico she worked as a group home residential counselor serving Deaf Developmentally Disabled Adults, before moving to employment as a vocational rehabilitation counselor at the Co. Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Upon moving to New Mexico in 1993, Debbie was employed as a vocational counselor at a local provider agency in Albuquerque and worked for several years as a case manager for UNM Mental Health Center. In 2001, Debbie was hired as a vocational rehabilitation counselor at the NM Division of Vocational Rehabilitation where she currently serves as the Supported Employment - Deaf and Hard of Hearing Coordinator.
Vacant
~Deaf of Hard of Hearing Representative from Southern New Mexico