Staff Members
Joyce Croker, Business Operations Specialist
Joyce Croker enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and received an Accommodation Medal. Honorably discharged in 1986, she continued her government service by working for the State of New Mexico in several divisions, including the Attorney General's office. At NMCDHH, she handles payments, purchase orders, vouchers and contracts, and also serves as vehicle coordinator and payroll coordinator.
Lisa Dignan, Director of Communication Access and Development
Lisa Dignan directs the New Mexico Mentoring program for signed language interpreters and administers a variety of contracts and programs to improve access for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people. She relocated t o Albuquerque in 2007 after serving as the disability services coordinator at Laramie County Community College in Wyoming for 13 years. A nationally certified interpreter with over 20 years of experience and a lengthy history in the independent living movement, Lisa serves on the New Mexico Court Interpreter Advisory Committee and the New Mexico Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Professional Development Committee. She earned a master's degree in adult education from the University of Wyoming and has RID certifications in interpretation and transliteration.
Tim Farr, Service Coordinator
Timothy Farr comes to the Commission with a diverse background centered on Deafness and Hearing Loss. Tim has been working as a Certified Signed Language Interpreter for the past 22 years and is an active member of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communities alike. During this time, he has also worked at The New Mexico School for the Deaf as a dorm counselor and as a Parent Advisor for the Step*Hi Program providing Early Intervention services to families with young children. Tim holds a Bachelors Degree of Science in Education, majoring in Communication Disorders with an emphasis in audiology and utilizes that knowledge-base as a Service Coordinator with the Las Cruces office.
Nathan Gomme, Interim Director of Public Policy and Advocacy
Nathan Gomme received his bachelor's degree with university honors from Gallaudet University. His experience includes mental health and education, and he has been involved with several different committees such as Transition Connections, Statewide Transition Coordination Council, and Behavioral Health Task Force.
Corina Gutierrez, Service Coordinator
Corina Gutierrez plans, advocates and coordinates services to meet clients' needs. Corina previously worked at New Mexico School for the Deaf, her alma mater, as a student life educator, and also worked at the Arizona State School for the Deaf and Blind as a master teaching parent. She received a bachelor's degree in physical education from Gallaudet University. As a New Mexico native, Corina attended the New Mexico School for the Deaf for most of her education, and is a renowned basketball player who was part of the Deaflympics women's basketball team. She also serves as the American Sign Language coordinator and teacher at the Deaf Community Center.
Sam Martinez, Information and Referral Coordinator
Sam Martinez was previously the Hard of Hearing Specialist at NMCDHH. With a bachelor's degree in human services from the University of Phoenix, Sam has extensive experience in working with the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Children of Deaf Adults (CODA) communities.
Lori Neubauer, Administrative Assistant
Lori Neubauer studied American Sign Language and Deaf culture at the University of New Mexico. She then worked as an interpreter coordinator at Community Outreach Program for the Deaf prior to working at NM CDHH. The mother of three boys, her youngest son is Deaf and attends the New Mexico School for the Deaf.
Cheryl Padilla, Service Coordinator
Cheryl L. Padilla became interested in working with Deaf and Hard of Hearin g children while earning her degree from University of New Mexico. She worked at the New Mexico School for the Deaf and at Desert Hills. She continued working with Deaf and Hard of Hearing children as a program coordinator at La Familia Inc., where she created programs to help clients live independently. At NMCDHH, Cheryl helped bring people together to establish the New Mexico Abused Deaf and Hard of Hearing Advocacy Center, Inc., also known as New Mexico Signs of Hope.
Deborah Romero, Management Analyst
Deborah Romero works with budget requests, management, accounts receivable and accounts payable. With ove r 11 years in government service, Deborah previously worked as the director of a private preschool. She attended the University of New Mexico, and is a certified emergency medical technician and Santa Fe County firefighter.
Michelle Rupanovic, Signed Language Interpreter
Michelle A. Rupanovic is nationally certified through Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) at the NIC - Master level. Originally from Austin, Texas, Michelle began providing interpreting services in central Texas in 2001. Michelle obtained her Associates and Bachelors degrees in Interpretation at Austin Community College in 2003 and St. Edward's University in 2004, respectively. Subsequently, she completed a Masters degree at Gallaudet University in Washington DC, the nation's premiere institution for Deaf Studies and Interpretation. Michelle specializes in American Sign Language/English Interpretation and Transliteration.
Shannon E. Smith, Interim Executive Director
Shannon Smith, a Chicago native, relocated to New Mexico 16 years ago. She graduated from the University of Phoenix with a Masters in Business Administration, with a concentration in Human Resources Management. Shannon brought an extensive Human Resources background to the NMCDHH, and applied it for the last five years in multiple positions within the Agency. Hard of Hearing since the age of 20, Shannon strives to promote, protect and preserve the rights and quality of life among Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals in New Mexico.
Rhiannon Sykes-Chavez, Training and Development Coordinator
Rhiannon Sykes-Chavez is a native New Mexican, born and raised in Albuquerque. Rhiannon is a nationally certified Sign Language Interpreter through Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) at the NIC - Master level. She obtained her Bachelors of Science in Interpretation at the University of New Mexico in 2006. Rhiannon is now applying her skills and experiences to a new scope of work; one which promotes awareness and education about the culture and resources of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities of New Mexico.
Sandra Williams, Las Cruces Coordinator
Sandra Williams has 20 years of experience as a vocation al rehabilitation counselor working with Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons. Her areas of expertise include counseling, advocacy, case management and sensitivity training. In addition to teaching American Sign Language at El Paso Community College and New Mexico State University, Sandra has served on numerous community programs and boards such as the New Mexico School for the Deaf Board of Regents, New Mexico State University Deaf Education Graduate Program, CPS Millwood Psychiatric Hospital and Rio Grande Community Coalition for Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Sandra is also the parent of three children with hearing loss.
Alexis Zarret, Administrative Assistant/Signed Language Interpreter
Alexis Zarret fell in love with American Sign Language after taking a class at New Mexico State University. After encouragement from one of her teachers, Alexis enrolled in an interpreter training program in order to become a professional Signed Language Interpreter. While in her last year in the program, she was fortunate enough to become an intern under Sandra Williams in the NMCDHH Las Cruces office where she learned an immense amount about interpreting, advocacy and client services. Eventually she was hired as the Administrative Assistant/ Signed Language Interpreter for the Las Cruces office. Alexis feels fortunate to be a part of such a talented and dedicated team.