Southeast Region
Counties: Baca, Bent, Crowley, Huerfano, Kiowa, Las Animas, Otero, Prowers, Pueblo
Cities: La Junta, Lamar, Pueblo, Trinidad, Walsenburg
The Southeast Council remains flexible with its funding to meet the needs of the population. In the past year, the Council has focused on funneling its efforts into emergent needs especially to the communities who have been deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through organizations such as Sangre de Christo Hospice, Mt. Carmel Health Wellness and Community Center and the Senior Resource Development Agency Pueblo Inc. Support of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Pueblo County’s workforce development program, the 16th Judicial District’s truancy program, and the Colorado State Patrol Foundation’s “Alive at 25” safe driving program has continued the Council’s dedication to youth development.
Meet Our Regional Council Members
William J. Hybl is Executive Chairman of El Pomar Foundation. Hybl has also been engaged in a variety of public service activities. He is a Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (Senior). In 2008, Hybl was confirmed by the United States Senate as Chairman of the U.S. Commission on Public Diplomacy, a position he was appointed to by President George W. Bush. He was reappointed by President Barack Obama June 1, 2011, and currently serves as Vice Chairman. In 2001, President George W. Bush appointed Hybl as U.S. Representative to the 56th General Assembly of the United Nations.
In addition, Hybl was Chairman of the Board of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) from 2003-2009 and currently serves as Chairman Emeritus. He is Chairman of the United States Olympic Endowment having served as President during four Olympic Games. He was named Citizen of the West by the National Western Stock Show of Denver in 2003.
Hybl is a graduate of Colorado College and earned his juris doctor at the University of Colorado School of Law. He was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives in 1972 and was Special Counsel to President Ronald Reagan in 1981. He is married to Kathleen Horrigan and they have two sons, B.J and Kyle, and six grandchildren.
William J. Hybl
Executive Chairman, El Pomar Foundation
Dennis Maes sits on the District 60 Board of Education and is the former Chief Judge of the 10th Judicial District. Prior to his appointment to the bench, he was Director of the Pueblo County Legal Services and a Deputy State Public Defender. He was a past member of the Pueblo Regional Planning Commission and the Board of Directors for Eastside Child Care Center.
Dennis received his undergraduate degree from Southern Colorado State College and his law degree from the University of Colorado.
The Honorable Dennis Maes
Trustee Emeritus, El Pomar Foundation
Melanie Bravo is the Director of Place-Based Philanthropy at Caring for Colorado Foundation, where she leads the foundation’s grantmaking and nonprofit capacity building efforts in Pueblo and manages statewide initiatives directed to adolescent populations. Before joining the Foundation, Melanie spent 10 years in the Boys & Girls Club movement—first as the President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Pueblo County and then as the Director of Organizational Development for Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Early in her career, Melanie served as a Fellow and then Director of Programs at El Pomar Foundation. In this role, she worked on the Foundation’s regional grant making and leadership development programs. Melanie was born and raised in Pueblo, Colo., and received a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico.
Melanie Bravo
Program Director, Caring for Colorado Foundation
Gina M. Cimino serves as President and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Mt. Carmel of Colorado, a 501(c)(3) non-profit which operates two campuses – Mt. Carmel Wellness and Community Center in Trinidad and Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center in Colorado Springs. She also serves as President and Broker for Kip Hampden, LLLP and as Vice Chair of the Phil Long Dealerships Board. Gina spent 18 years in the advertising industry starting as an administrative assistant while still in college and advancing through media buyer to account executive to Vice President with Graham Advertising, a Colorado based company. In 2009, Gina obtained her real estate license, where she specialized in business properties by joining Kip Hampden as a property manager and broker. Her responsibilities in this capacity include real estate owned by the Phil Long Dealership Group.
Being part of a philanthropic family has always inspired Gina to give back to her community. She has participated and volunteered in varied activities including those by The National Charity League, Newborn Hope, Boys and Girls Club, Care and Share, National Cancer Society, and a multitude of fundraising and support activities for St. Paul Catholic Church, Pauline Memorial Catholic School and St. Mary’s High School. Gina, a Colorado native, graduated from Cheyenne Mountain High School and the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. She has three daughters and loves outdoor activities.
Gina Cimino
President, Mt. Carmel Health, Wellness and Community Center
Leroy Garcia was elected in 2014 to represent Senate District 3, which covers the Cities of Pueblo, Pueblo West, and part of the community in Salt Creek. In 2018, Senator Garcia was unanimously elected by his colleagues to serve as President of the Senate, previously serving as Assistant Minority Leader and Senate Minority Leader. Prior to being elected as President of the Senate, Senator Garcia served on the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Energy Committee, and the Appropriations Committee. From 2001 to 2007, Senator Garcia served in the Marine Corps. Deployed to Iraq as a mortuary affairs specialist, he personally understands the risks faced by the members of our armed forces and is committed to providing for our veterans. He is a member of the Pueblo Veterans Council, VFW Post 15006, American Legion Post, 2 and the League of Marines Home of Heroes Detachment. Senator Garcia also teaches emergency medical services at Pueblo Community College and is a paramedic with American Medical Response in Pueblo. Senator Garcia grew up around the Pueblo beauty salon his parents have owned and operated for more than three decades, giving him an appreciation for the power of small business in securing the American Dream. He is a first-generation college graduate, with a master’s degree in organizational management from Ashford University in Clinton, Iowa; a bachelor’s in management from the University of Phoenix and an associate’s degree in emergency medical services from Pueblo Community College. A sixth-generation Coloradan, Sen. Garcia lives in Pueblo’s south side where he raises his boys Jeremiah and Xan.
Leroy Garcia
President, Colorado State Senate, District 3
Kim MacDonnell is a Bent County Commissioner, serving her second term. Kim is a fifth generation Bent County resident and is dedicated to serving Bent County and the region. Her experience in economic development as manager of a sole-practitioner law firm, and her love for her community have equipped her to be attuned to needs and to identify resources to help meet them. Kim is passionate about supporting children and youth, helping people out of poverty and homelessness, and about business development and job creation and retention in Southeast Colorado. In addition to involvement in local boards and initiatives, Kim serves on the Advisory Board for the Fort Lyon Supportive Residential Community, is a member of the Colorado Rural Workforce Consortium, and was appointed in January 2021 to the State Board of Human Services. Kim enjoys long walks, hiking and climbing, and being creative in the kitchen. She enjoys travelling and loves being at home with her husband, Mark, and their Silver Lab, Hazel.
Kim MacDonnell
County Commissioner, Bent County
Dr. Alvarez currently serves as the fifth president of Otero Junior College in La Junta, CO. In this role, he is a member of the Southeast Sub Area Workforce Board, Southeast Colorado Business Retention Expansion and Attraction board, the Koshare Museum Board, District Advisory Council for La Junta School District, the Main Street Colorado (La Junta) board, SETran Regional Coordinating Council and Leadershape Board of Trustees.
As a first-generation college student, he received an associate degree from Western Nebraska Community College, a bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management from Bellevue University, a master’s degree at Chadron State College in Education with a major in Developmental Counseling and a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
He is an avid reader and enjoys golf and physical fitness. Dr. Alvarez has been married for thirty-four years to Lori. They have three adult children: Joshua and wife Jordie (grandson Reese); Jason and wife Yary; Tiffany and husband Trey (grandson Walter).
Dr. Timothy Alvarez
President, Otero Junior College
Senior Staff, Southeast Region
Contact Chris:
719-577-5763
csohn@elpomar.org
Chris Sohn
Chief of Staff to the Chairman, El Pomar Foundation
Contact Shelby:
719-577-7090
smorgan@elpomar.org
Shelby Pauka
Program Associate, El Pomar Foundation
Contact Mercedes:
719-577-7057
mmccue@elpomar.org
Mercedes McCue
Program Associate, El Pomar Foundation