GOVERNANCE BOARD
The Governance Board of Raíces is comprised of the community at large, with individuals who bring professional expertise that the founders have identified as referenced in the Charter—fiduciary, budget, academic, bilingual, culturally diverse, Mesoamerican history, and cultural knowledge. One of the board members is a parent. The qualifications and skills of the Board demonstrate that they have the capacity, knowledge, and experience to operate a successful, high-quality public charter school.
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Professional expertise and talents of board members include individuals who identify with the mission through experience in business and finance, the legal system, academic leadership or management; academic background in teaching, instruction, and curriculum development; cultural knowledge and awareness as a producing artist; community leader and parent; and an understanding of Mesoamerican history and the relevant aspects of living in a bi-literate, bicultural border community and environment such as Las Cruces and Doña Ana County, near the US-Mexico border.
Board Chair: Mr. Rodriguez currently serves as the appointed Doña Ana County Chief Deputy Treasurer, having previously served as the elected County Treasurer for eight years. Prior job experiences include over 10 years of banking experience. His educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from New Mexico State University and an MBA candidate at New Mexico Highlands University. Rodriguez has served on various committees and boards in different capacities, including chairman of the Doña Ana County Investment Advisory Committee. Previously, a member of the NM County’s Board of Directors, Vice Chairman for the NM Treasurer’s Affiliate, and the New Mexico Counties (NMC) Tax Policy Committee. Currently, he serves as the chair of the NM Treasurer's Affiliate Legislative Committee. In January 2023, he was appointed to the State Treasurer’s Investment Advisory Council, which oversees the state’s $18 billion investment portfolio. Related accomplishments include NM Certified Public Official, NM Certified Treasury Officer, New Mexico Leadership Academy, and the City of Las Cruces Leadership Academy.
Rodriguez is a parent of two Raices del Saber students and a member of the Concilio de Padres, where he served as Chairman for two years. During his term, the Concilio ratified bylaws allowing future Councils to organize and operate. He has also served on the school’s Finance and Facilities committees.
Eric is married to Teresita Batres, and they have three children, Emma, Emilio, and Edan. He enjoys coaching and practicing soccer with his kids, working on DIY projects, and mountain biking in his free time.
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Board Vice-Chair: Ana Mangino grew up in neighboring El Paso, TX, where she attended El Paso High School and the University of Texas at El Paso. She received a degree in banking from the Western States Graduate School of Banking, Anderson Business College at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. Her background inspired her to pursue a career in banking, where she has been for 50 years.
Ana is described as a leader everyone respects because she quietly helps set the direction for organizations and helps accomplish goals for organizations. She is known for her strong commitment to the community and involvement with the Las Cruces Rotary Club (member since 2001), past president, N.M. State Department of Energy, Minerals, & Natural Resources-Youth Conservation Commission-Board Commissioner, and Women’s Information Network. She has raised millions of dollars to build a better community. Ana retired as a Vice President of Business Development for First American Bank. She is now a Businesswoman and enjoys retirement.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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Board Treasurer: Maria Elena Garza, I am honored to be accepted to serve at Raíces del Saber as part of the Governance Board. My experience with Public Libraries allowed me to collaborate in different educational programs that inspire me to continue helping in any capacity to enhance our children's education. I do believe in Community Schools supporting our children and their families holistically. Students must experience what it is to belong to a school that cares about individuals and is part of a society where everyone can contribute and improve knowledge and education. I also hope to assist with my long-term experience and skills in the private and public sector as an Administrator Manager, having experience in designing and implementing programs that involve the overall quality of administration, developing entrepreneurial guidelines to export and import industrial products worldwide, and the ability to adapt new concepts and direction, embracing new challenges and learning opportunities.
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Board Secretary: Mary Ann Clark has over 46 years of experience in education in Texas and New Mexico, retiring from Gadsden ISD in 2024. Her educational experiences include classroom teacher grades 2-12, Coordinator of Special/Gifted Education, Director of Advanced Academic Services, and Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction. During her career, she has received several awards including NAGC Outstanding Curriculum, campus Teacher of the Year/EPISD District Teacher of the Year finalist, TAGT Regional Teacher of the Year, TAGT Regional Advocate of the Year, Outstanding Teaching of Humanities (TX Council for the Humanities), and NMAG as Administrator of the Year. She is most proud of her work with Dr. Joyce Juntune, Texas A&M University, identifying and supporting students from poverty and second language learners in gifted and advanced programs. At Texas A&M Dean’s Round Table, she was awarded Transformational Leadership for her work. Most recently, Mrs. Clark was presented with the “Excellence in Student Achievement Award” by the New Mexico School Boards Association in cooperation with the GISD Board of Education. She is a graduate of Texas Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education (minor in Speech Communications) and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from NMSU. Mrs. Clark has served on several executive boards, including SCNMAG, WTAGT, and TAGT. She is married and a proud mother of three: a son who is a high school principal, a daughter who teaches high school English, and a daughter who is in nursing school.​​​​​​​​
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Board Member at Large: David Dorado Romo, Ph.D., is a writer, musician, and historian who specializes in borderlands and transnational studies. He is the author of the award-winning Ringside Seat to a Revolution: The Underground History of Ciudad Juárez and El Paso, 1893-1923. His historical essays and editorials have appeared in the Texas Monthly, Mexico City’s Nexos, Texas Observer, and Los Angeles Times. He received a B.A. degree from Stanford University and his Ph.D. in Borderlands History from the University of Texas at El Paso. Romo was a Fulbright fellow at the Colegio de México (Mexico City) and a resident scholar at the School for Advanced Research (Santa Fe, New Mexico). He is co-director of the Museo Urbano, a public history project based in El Paso. Before teaching at a university level, Romo taught chess to middle- and high-school students in South El Paso for fifteen years
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Board Member at Large: Dr. Ismael Camacho is a New Mexico Legal Aid Staff Attorney.​ Areas of practice: Labor and Employment Law, Fair Labor Standards Act, Agricultural Worker Protection Act, Farmworker Health & Safety.​ Bar Admissions: New Mexico (1997) U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico (2004)​ Education: J.D., University of New Mexico School of Law (1997), B.A., New Mexico State University (1992), Paralegal study, Antioch School of Law (1978). ​Professional Association and Memberships: State Bar of New Mexico.​Background & Practice Experience: Dr. Camacho is of Mexican descent and is fluent in Spanish. His valuable speaking, writing, and reading Spanish skills are indispensable when communicating with Spanish-speaking farmworkers. He received his B.A. from New Mexico State University in 1992 and his Juris Doctorate from the University of New Mexico in 1997. State Bar member since October 1997, and his practice has developed from his 17 years of experience working on behalf of farmworkers and 13 years of experience working for the Office of the New Mexico Attorney General. Educational knowledge about your rights is presented to high school, middle, and elementary students.
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