We had an election! And there are some new faces representing the SPJ Rio Grande chapter. Here they are, with quick bios.
Ryan Lowery, President, is an award-winning independent journalist whose work has been published by several news outlets in New Mexico and beyond. He is also a regular contributor to the Las Vegas Optic where he covers criminal justice, government accountability and investigative stories.
Rachel Sams, Secretary, is editor-in-chief of Albuquerque Business First, where she manages newsroom strategy and leads amazing journalists to do their best work online every day and in print once a week.
She joined ABF in 2009 as associate editor, became managing editor in 2012 and editor-in-chief in 2014. Previously, Sams was a reporter at the Baltimore Business Journal and the Tallahassee (Fla.) Democrat.
Megan Kamerick, Treasurer, has been a journalist for nearly 25 years. She currently hosts All Things Considered at KUNM-FM where she also produces the monthly show University Showcase. She is a correspondent for New Mexico PBS and has freelanced for NPR, Latino USA and several podcasts including Peace Talks Radio. She also does freelance writing for several publications.
— At-Large Board Members —
Julia Dendinger is the assistant editor at the Valencia County News-Bulletin. She has worked at the community paper since 2006. During that time, her writing and photography has been acknowledged by the New Mexico Press Association and National Newspaper Association.
While awards are meaningful, she takes the most pride in the day-to-day work of putting out a weekly paper.
Algernon D’Ammassa is a local and statewide reporter for the Las Cruces Sun-News, reporting on education and local government and politics, plus occasional investigative pieces the past year about the New Mexico Educational Retirement Board, New Mexico State University privatization plans, and procurement and accounting investigations within the city of Las Cruces. Algernon is also a regular commentator on KRWG Public Media.
Chris Keller works as the managing editor at Albuquerque Business First where he helps to manage daily news priorities and coverage.
Prior to moving to Albuquerque, Chris blended journalism, data analysis and computer programming as a member of the Los Angeles Times’ 2020 election team and its Data and Graphics department. He joined The Times in 2017 as a deputy graphics editor.
Makayla Grijalva is an award-winning journalist and fellow at the Silver City Daily Press where she covers the surrounding Mining District communities of Santa Clara, Bayard and Hurley with the occasional feature story thrown into the mix. She recently graduated from the University of New Mexico in May 2020 with a double major in Multimedia Journalism and Political Science. Prior to graduating, Makayla led the Daily Lobo as managing editor where she helped to train new journalists and instill passion in reporting and writing.
Jessica Onsurez is the Managing Editor of the Carlsbad Current-Argus in Carlsbad. She was previously the senior reporter at the daily newspaper which serves southeastern New Mexico. She has a master’s degree in digital communication from American University in Washington, D.C. and a bachelor’s degree in communication from Eastern New Mexico University.
Mónica Ortiz Uribe is a freelance radio reporter based in El Paso, Texas who specializes in coverage of the U.S./Mexico border and the American Southwest. Her work appears regularly on National Public Radio. Most recently she co-hosted a podcast with iHeart Media about femicide called Forgotten: The Women of Juárez.
Jerry Redfern is a reporter for Capital & Main, covering the oil & gas industry in New Mexico. He is also a visual journalist, covering the environment, health, and human rights, primarily outside the U.S. He’s a journalism graduate from the University of Montana.
Damien Willis is currently a Lead Reporter and Content Coach for the Las Cruces Sun-News. He began his media career in radio in 2001, when he began hosting a highly-rated afternoon drive-time show on Hot 103 (KHQT-FM), the city’s Top 40/Hip-Hop station. In 2005, he received the New Mexico Broadcasters Association award for DJ Personality Air Check.
