Colorado Governor John W. Hickenlooper recently reappointed LeRoy Salazar and Valentin Vigil to the Board of Trustees for Adams State University. Having served as a trustee since 2010, Salazar was reappointed to a one-year term, expiring December 31, 2016. Vigil was originally appointed to the board in December, 2011, and was reappointed to a three-year term, expiring December 31, 2019.
"We are very pleased that LeRoy and Val will continue as trustees for Adams State University," said Adams State President Beverlee J. McClure. "They both have demonstrated their commitment to education at all levels, particularly Adams State. This is an important time for us, with new initiatives underway, and continuity of leadership is very valuable."
A rancher, farmer, engineer, and management consultant, Salazar farms and ranches in Conejos and Costilla counties in the San Luis Valley. He was president and CEO of Agro Engineering, Inc., from 1982-2000.
"I have been privileged to serve as an ASU trustee and have seen the campus change in many positive ways since I first became a trustee, when we were still a college," Salazar said. He also served as an Adams State trustee beginning in 2003, when the State Colleges in Colorado were permitted to form individual governing boards. "Physically, the campus is much more attractive and hospitable as a place to live, learn, and work. But more than that, I see a vibrant university campus meeting the needs of a very diverse population with new programs and activities and improvement in existing programs and services. Adams State is truly the crown jewel of our community."
Salazar is president of Confined Aquifer Sustainability, Inc., which works to protect water rights in the San Luis Valley. He also serves on the board of directors of the Hope for Children Foundation and the United Potato Growers of Colorado, and as vice chair of the board for San Luis Valley Federal Bank. He previously served on the board of the Colorado Agricultural Commission, as director of Citizens for Colorado Water, and on the North Conejos School District Board of Education, with several years as its president.
He holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in agricultural engineering from Colorado State University, earned in 1977 and 1974, respectively.
Now in his seventh year as a city councilman for Thornton, Colo., Vigil has operated Vigil & Company, Financial Consultant, since 1971. "I am glad the governor has given me the opportunity to use my experience in helping Adams State University become the best university in Colorado," he said.
Vigil earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and secondary education from Adams State in 1971. He served in the Colorado State Legislature from 1999-2006, spending eight years on the Finance Committee, as chairman for two years; eight years in the Appropriations Committee; and six years in the Legislative Audit Committee, as chairman two years. He also served for two years as the Assistant Minority Leader.
An advocate for education, Vigil volunteers many hours at the local schools as guest speaker. He is in much demand to speak on immigration issues and is considered an expert in this topic, as he was the first legislator in Colorado to introduce the in-state tuition legislation in 2000, reintroducing it three additional years.
