Our Board of Directors
A regional collective impact coalition connecting education, industry, and civic leadership to foster workforce pipelines and economic mobility across Southern New Mexico.
Executive Staff
Beth Williams
President & CEOBeth Williams is the President and CEO, where she leads efforts to strengthen workforce development, education, and economic opportunity throughout the region. With extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, fund development, strategic partnerships, and community engagement, Beth is passionate about creating innovative pathways that connect students, job seekers, and employers.
Since joining The Bridge, Beth has worked closely with business leaders, educators, government agencies, and community partners to develop programs that address workforce needs while expanding opportunities for youth and adults across Southern New Mexico. She is particularly committed to helping disengaged youth discover career pathways that lead to long-term success.
Beth serves on the Board of Directors for the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance (MVEDA), the New Mexico Workforce Development Board, and the Las Cruces Public Schools Foundation, where she currently serves as Board Secretary. She is also an advisor to Junior Leadership Las Cruces and actively participates on numerous workforce, education, and economic development committees throughout New Mexico. Through these leadership roles, Beth advocates for initiatives that strengthen talent pipelines, support employers, and promote regional prosperity.
A graduate of New Mexico State University, Beth is a dedicated community leader who believes meaningful collaboration is the key to building stronger communities. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys traveling, playing golf, and spending time with her friends & family.
Mason Schuette
Operations ManagerMason Schuette is the Operations Manager with The Bridge of Southern New Mexico, where he supports workforce development, student engagement, partner coordination, and regional initiatives that connect education, employers, and community needs. His work includes supporting pre-apprenticeship programming, employer outreach, event planning, communications, and collaborative projects that help expand opportunities for young people in Southern New Mexico.
Mason is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration at New Mexico State University, where he also completed his undergraduate degree in Computer Science. His background in technology, public service, and nonprofit work gives him a unique perspective on systems-building, community partnerships, and practical solutions that help organizations work more effectively.
At The Bridge, Mason is especially interested in creating stronger pathways between students, schools, training programs, and employers. He is passionate about workforce development, civic engagement, healthcare, environmental issues, and helping Southern New Mexico students see clear, meaningful opportunities for their futures.
Executive Committee
Joshua Orozco is a regional economic development and workforce leader with more than two decades of experience supporting industrial recruitment, cross-border commerce, and regional growth initiatives in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, and the U.S./Mexico border region. Since 2001, he has been actively involved in efforts to recruit industry and strengthen economic competitiveness throughout the border region.
Joshua serves as the Vice President of Strategic Development with the Border Industrial Association and holds leadership roles at several regional workforce and community organizations focused on economic development, workforce innovation, entrepreneurship, and public/private collaboration. He currently serves as Chair of the New Mexico State Workforce Development Board and is widely engaged in initiatives supporting workforce development, business growth, infrastructure, and regional competitiveness across New Mexico.
Before joining Las Cruces Public Schools in 2023, Mr. Ignacio Ruiz served as an Assistant Superintendent in Clark County School District, the fifth largest district in the U.S. He also directed the Language Acquisition Department in Tucson Unified School District.
Mr. Ruiz holds a master's degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University and a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Prescott College. He is a graduate of the ALAS National Superintendent Academy and the McCort School of Public Policy at Georgetown.
Mr. Ruiz's extensive leadership experience includes 30 years of serving in roles such as assistant principal, principal and director. As the founding president of the Nevada Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, Mr. Ruiz has fostered a pipeline of diverse educational leaders. Bilingual in English and Spanish, he advocates for equitable learning experiences for all students.
Farrah graduated from Artesia High School in 1999 and attended Texas Tech University for two years before transferring to New Mexico State University in 2001. She graduated from NMSU with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in Finance in 2003. During college at NMSU, Farrah began her career with First American Bank. She worked part time during college as a teller moving up the ranks to her current position as the Market President/Managing Officer overseeing the Las Cruces, Alamogordo, and Chaparral markets.
Farrah currently serves on the board of directors for Las Cruces Public Schools Foundation (current President), Bridge of Southern New Mexico (current Treasurer), Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance, and the President of Mayfield High School Volleyball Booster. She is a graduate of Leadership Las Cruces through the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce in 2017, Leadership LC facilitator for three years and 2024 graduate of Leadership New Mexico.
Farrah has 2 children, Lucas who graduated from Mayfield High School in 2024 and Savannah, a Junior who attends Mayfield High School and co-captain of the Varsity Team. In her free time, she enjoys watching her children play their various sports activities, reading, traveling, and golfing.
JessicaLyn Robles serves as Director of Business Development for the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance (MVEDA), a position she has held since the summer of 2021. In this role, she leads the organization's efforts to strengthen and grow the regional business community across the county.
Among her notable achievements, JessicaLyn developed and launched a robust Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) program that engages more than 70 companies annually through direct company visits. Through these engagements, she identifies strategic opportunities to support local businesses and has cultivated key partnerships and programs to address their evolving needs. One of her most significant contributions is the development of AutomateUp, a funding mechanism created by MVEDA to expand workforce and industry certifications across the region — a program she is instrumental in bringing to life and continues to champion.
JessicaLyn holds a Master of Business Administration from New Mexico State University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management, also from NMSU. Her academic foundation, combined with her hands-on approach to economic development, reflects a deep commitment to fostering sustainable business growth in the Mesilla Valley region.
Board Members
Sonja Jamilla is the CEO of Azurite Professional Community, a platform company for infrastructure design consulting firms in the Mountain West. Drawing on over 25 years of experience, Sonja recognized that technical skill development is the critical path to employment in her industry. She joined The Bridge of Southern New Mexico to help address the employment gap in the civil engineering market by advocating for skills like drone piloting, Computer-Aided Design (CAD), and water treatment operations. Her strategic vision aligns directly with The Bridge’s mission of building a skilled workforce and creating an ecosystem of opportunity that connects students from high school to careers.
Brandi Selby is the CEO and Co-Owner of American Document Services, a full-service records management company in Las Cruces, NM. With over 30 years of experience in various industries, most with a heavy focus in managing accounts payable and receivable. She worked for companies such as Vail Resorts, CH2M Hill, and IDEXX Laboratories. Brandi is a savvy businesswoman who dedicates her time to her family, her business, and her community. Her core values are Service, Family, and Integrity.
Brandi graduated Magna Cum Laude from Colorado State University with a bachelor’s degree in business management. She graduated from Leadership Las Cruces in 2023 as a Distinguished Honor Graduate and graduated from Leadership New Mexico in 2024. Brandi is on the board of Directors for Leadership New Mexico, former Advisor for Leadership Las Cruces and an Ambassador for the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce, former Secretary/Treasurer on the Ambassador Executive Council, and a member of The Las Cruces Forum. She is a member of iSIGMA (International Secure Information Governance & Management Association) and serves as Chair of the Events committee for iSIGMA.
Brandi is inspired daily by her husband and children. In her free time, she loves to travel and spend time with family.
Finance Committee