Business Outlook Briefcase -- Sept. 11

Elizabeth Tucker , Albuquerque Journal, N.M.
·2 min read

Sep. 11—Welcome

Sarah Maurer, certified audiologist, has joined Lovelace Medical Group's Ear, Nose, Throat and Hearing Center. Maurer earned her undergraduate degree at West Virginia University and her doctorate at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock. Her clinical experience includes diagnosing and treating a variety of hearing and balance disorders, as well as programming and maintaining hearing aids and cochlear implants for patients of all ages. Maurer is located at 1020 Tijeras NE.

Melanie Leigh Duran, a certified family nurse practitioner, has joined Lovelace Medical Group Endocrinology. Duran specializes in patient centered diabetes care. She earned her Doctorate from the University of Missouri. Her clinical experience includes treating adult and geriatric patients for ongoing health maintenance, advanced diabetes management and education, insulin pump training and more. She is a member of the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists. Duran is located at Lovelace Medical Group at 6701 Jefferson NE.

Rebecca "Puck" Stair has joined the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department as director of the Energy Conservation and Management Division. Stair comes to EMNRD after nearly two decades in the New Mexico film industry, where she has worked as a producer and location manager on numerous films, television shows, commercials and other media projects. Over the past two years, Stair has served as president of the local filmmakers' union. She graduated Cum Laude from Amherst College.

Benjamin F. Shelton has joined the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department as the new general counsel. Shelton has spent the past eight years as government affairs director for Conservation Voters New Mexico. Shelton earned a bachelor's degree from Seattle University and a Juris Doctor from Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland.

Chris Romero has been hired as a sales manager at Santa Fe Boutique Wines & Spirits. Romero joins SFBW from the food and beverage industry, combining almost 20 years in bar and beverage management with an extensive background in artistic mixology; he will oversee sales for the Santa Fe and Albuquerque metro areas. Santa Fe Boutique Wines & Spirits is a family owned and operated distribution company.

Zach Benjamin has joined the New Mexico Association of REALTORS as chief executive officer. Benjamin joined the association from Jewish Long Beach and the Alpert Jewish Community Center — a nonprofit organization based in Long Beach — where he was CEO. Benjamin previously served as the executive director at the Jewish Federation of New Mexico, a statewide multi-faceted social service and advocacy organization that aims to address the needs of New Mexico's Jewish community. Prior to joining the Jewish Federation, he oversaw the international partnerships, business development programs, and global governance structures for the National Association of REALTORS. Benjamin attended Northwestern University in Chicago, where he received a bachelor's degree. Additionally, he holds a master's degree from Columbia University in New York.