Ron Dauk

I'm a 30 year NM resident, having initially served as an Air Force Officer at the Kirtland AFB Air Force Research Labs. Upon completing my 8 years in the USAF, I joined SVS Inc, a local small business focused on high technology defense applications. After SVS was acquired by Boeing, I grew my career and am now Boeing’s business leader in Albuquerque. I have a BS in Electrical Engineering from NDSU and a MS in Electro-Optics from AF Institute of Technology. I have 5 children, all of whom attended CNM. I also have 4 grandchildren (and hopefully more in the future!) and want to ensure CNM will be there for them in the future. Education has always been important to my wife and me.  The CNM Governing Board is an opportunity for me to give my time back to the community to ensure we have a strong institution helping create the workforce for the jobs of today, as well as enabling our community to compete for the jobs of the future. Currently, no CNM does not have a single representative on the Governing Board.  No board member is an employer.  I hope you will help me change that.  My background in technology development and entrepreneurship has provided me with the experience of growing and guiding organizations into new areas and staying current with advanced technology. My role as Site Lead for Boeing is focused on long term strategy, staffing and business growth - all of which will allow me to provide new perspectives to the CNM Governing Board. I would be honored to be the District 7 CNM Governing Board member.

  • New voice and perspective for CNM. Starting my career in a small business required me to have an entrepreneurial mindset and willingness to step into new areas. I will bring this sprit to the Governing Board to provide a new voice to help develop the future for CNM. As the lead for Boeing's local office, I've been focused on strategy and growth. I will bring this perspective to CNM by addressing both near term challenges as well as guiding the approach to ensure CNM has a bright future.

  • Preparing for the jobs of today. I believe CNM plays an important role in our community by preparing members of our community for the workforce needed to grow businesses here in NM. From our young students looking for their first step into a career field, to others looking to change careers to find the job they have always wanted, CNM can be the launching pad. I want to ensure CNMs programs are there to prepare them, help them grow, and provide our community with the workforce needed to help grow businesses.

  • Creating the path for the jobs of the future. My business focus (and personal passion since the first Star Wars movie!) is developing laser weapon systems for defense applications. It's often said "lasers are the weapons of the future... and always will be" - but we are actually creating them today - and here in NM! It is this focus on the technologies of the future that I will bring to the CNM Governing Board. I see the beginnings of new opportunities with new advances with Quantum Computing and Fusion Energy because of our local technology expertise. I want to help CNM prepare the path for new career paths and ensure members of our community are ready to take advantage of new emerging opportunities.

ENDORSED BY CNM BOARD MEMBER CHARLIE OFELT

Dear Ron:

Thank you for running for the CNM Governing Board in District 7.  As a retiring current Board Member, I have great interest in seeing the Board improve for the benefit of our community.

The seven member CNM Governing Board currently has four members, including your opponent and me, who grew up in the 1950’s and ‘60’s and are at least 76 (and counting!).  As a 56 year old, if successful you will be a refreshing addition to the Board, someone who grew up in modern rather than ancient times.  Younger people like you think differently from the old.  Their experiences are current and forward looking rather than drawing solely from the long ago past.

You lived through your five children’s experiences attending CNM so you have a personal perspective that is unique.   The average CNM student is 26 years old.  That makes the 76+ year old Board members 50 years older than our average student.  We old Board members are simply too far removed from the current student body to be making decisions impacting their lives and futures.  Think about it:  A 76+ year old starting a new term next January will be serving on the Board in their 80’s!  Then again, they may not be planning to serve out their terms, which is unfair to the voters. 

No industry partner or representative currently serves on the Board of CNM.  Not one Board member is an employer or business leader.  Your success will change the entire dynamic of the Board.  You will bring both authority and authenticity to an institution craving for business leadership.

Ron, I’ve had it said to me, “Charlie, I’m glad you said that, but I never could.”  It is important that CNM Board members not only think their thoughts, but also express them.  It does the taxpayers no good for a Board member to consider the discussions going on and then hope that someone else will voice the opinion that the member cannot bring himself to express.  Your success will change the representation in your District to one of positivity and leadership, actually speaking up on behalf of your constituents.

CNM as a $200,000,000 enterprise is a vital part of the Albuquerque community.  It requires vision and commitment from business leaders such as you to move forward.  I hope the voters and taxpayers in District 7 recognize and reward the opportunity you represent.

Sincerely yours,

 

Charlie Ofelt

Member, CNM Governing Board

See my Ballotpedia Link