The Board of Trustees for Adams State University unanimously reelected Arnold Salazar as chair of the board and elected Kathleen Rogers vice chair at its regular meeting, August 27. Both will serve two-year terms as officers; they were appointed to four-year terms on the board, December 31, 2013. The trustees also approved a new committee structure for the board.
"Continuing a smooth presidential transition is vital to the success of our University," said Salazar, who is in his second term as a trustee for Adams State. "I am pleased to be able to serve another term as chair and to continue to assist our new president in moving ASU forward. Serving as chair of this board is one of the most enjoyable things I have done."
A 1976 Adams State graduate, Salazar is executive director of Colorado Health Partnerships, L.L.C. With a long and extensive experience in Colorado in the field of community mental health, Salazar began his career at the San Luis Valley Mental Health Center after completing his graduate work at the University of Michigan. He directed the center for ten years prior to organizing SysCare, LLC, a managed care company offering mental health services. In 2005 he became CEO of Colorado Health Partnerships. Colorado Health Partnerships includes eight non-profit community mental health center providers and ValueOptions, a for-profit management services provider. Colorado Health Partnerships contracts with the Department of Health Care Policy and Finance, the state agency for the Medicaid mental health risk contract.
"ASU is such an important aspect of the San Luis Valley," Rogers said. "It’s an honor to have been selected to the Board of Trustees and now to have been selected as vice chair under Arnold’s leadership. You won’t find a more committed board, administration or staff as we have at ASU. In the midst of many changes I believe our ‘great stories’ will continue to get even better.
Lifelong San Luis Valley resident Rogers is Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Patient Relations at San Luis Valley Health and is a former mayor and city councilor for the City of Alamosa. She has a diverse background in nursing, business, bereavement facilitation, law enforcement victim services, and municipal government. Rogers serves the state and community on various boards and committees, including: the Regional Council of the El Pomar Foundation; 12th Judicial District Victims Compensation Board; Rio Grande Savings and Loan Association, vice chair; Trinidad State Junior College Advisory Committee, and others.
Adams State President Beverlee McClure said: "A president could not ask for a better board or for better leadership. Our board of trustees has been supportive of the transitional efforts. Having Trustee Salazar and Trustee Rogers as chair and vice-chair provides a great support system for me and for our University."
The trustees approved also approved their membership on board committees, as follows:
Finance & Audit Committee
Cleve Simpson
Val Vigil
Policy Revision Committee
Paul Farley
Rob Benson
Legislative Affairs
Arnold Salazar
John Singletary
Val Vigil
Azarel Madrigal
Economic & Community Development
Mary Griffin
Kathleen Rogers
Randy Wright
