New Mexico’s Quality of Life Opportunities and Challenges

About This Episode

Hosts Rhiannon Samuel, Executive Director of Viante New Mexico and Deena Crawley, Co-Chair of Viante New Mexico talk with young leaders Annermarie Henton and Jesse Heron about what are New Mexico’s assets when it comes to Quality of Life and what can we improve upon, together?

Annemarie Ciepiela Henton, APR, is the Vice President of Business Development and Marketing for Albuquerque Economic Development Inc. Annemarie holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Arizona, and earned her Accreditation in Public Relations from the Universal Accreditation Board in New York in 2014.Annemarie speaks nationally on the topics of emotional intelligence and communication in the multigenerational workplace. She is a co-founder of Albuquerque’s “Stop Bagging, Start Bragging” campaign, which empowers Albuquerque residents to play a role in the city’s talent attraction and retention strategy.

Jesse Herron is the owner of Painted Lady Bed & Brew and co-founder of Albuquerque Tourism & Sightseeing Factory (AT&SF): parent company to ABQ Trolley Co., Albucreepy Downtown Ghost Walk, Duke City Pedaler and ABQ in a Box. As one of the “trolley guys,” he has the distinct pleasure of introducing people to Albuquerque. Born in Albuquerque, his love of the city started at a very young age. He can fondly remember watching cartoons where Bugs Bunny made that famous wrong “left toin at Albukoykee.” Herron felt a great sense of pride in his city and wanted to make sure that Bugs never got lost in Albukoykee again (hence the start of ABQ Trolley Co.). Herron graduated from the University of New Mexico with a MBA in Travel & Tourism Management and International Management in Latin America. He sits on the Lodgers Tax Advisory Board, Downtown Albuquerque MainStreet and Visit Albuquerque. When he is not on a trolley, he collects corny Albuquerque souvenir t-shirts, eats green chile (on just about everything), and cheers for the Lobos. Herron currently resides in a 19th century former brothel and saloon with a few friendly ghosts.