September was a big month for education in New Mexico and at NMOGA! The New Mexico Department of Public Education announced Ms. Nancy Orta as their 2026 New Mexico Teacher of the Year. NMOGA is proud to sponsor the program and support professional development opportunities for her over the next year. Congratulations to Ms. Orta and all of the finalists!
NMOGA continued our support for Career Technical Education (CTE) by sponsoring the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce's Education Matters Luncheon and hosting an interactive STEM virtual reality booth at the New Mexico State Fair, brought to you by Chevron.
If you don't already follow NMOGA on social media, make sure to check out our pages on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn. In addition to sharing how the oil and gas industry strengthens education and other state programs, we highlight the important role our industry plays in the economy and show how our member companies are supporting innovation to be the best environmental stewards possible.
New Mexico Teacher of the Year
NMOGA is proud to present the 2026 Teacher of the Year award to Nancy Orta from East Picacho Elementary School in Las Cruces, NM! Ms. Orta is a first-grade teacher who has been recognized for her decades-long dedication to literacy, early childhood education, and student success.
NMOGA and our non-profit, Energizing Our Future NM, recognize the incredible impact teachers have on their students, and we're proud to support Ms. Orta as she continues to inspire a love of learning in her students and ensures every child feels seen, valued, and supported!
Giving Back
NMOGA Supports CTE at Education Matters Luncheon
NMOGA proudly sponsored the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce’s Education Matters Luncheon on September 22 at Hotel Albuquerque in Old Town. Albuquerque Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Gabriella Durán Blakey delivered the keynote address to more than 250 education and business leaders, highlighting the district’s commitment to preparing students for real-world careers through CTE programs.
Dr. Durán Blakey shared how APS is expanding opportunities in fields like engineering, STEM, and health sciences, helping students earn industry-recognized certifications and college credits while still in high school. Sponsoring events like this reflects NMOGA’s ongoing commitment to supporting CTE education across New Mexico and building a strong, skilled workforce to power the state’s future.
Thank you to GACC for their continued partnership and support!
NMOGA was proud to join the New Mexico State Fair sponsored by NMOGA-member Chevron
During STEM Day at the Fair, NMOGA hosted an interactive booth that welcomed thousands of students from school districts across central New Mexico. Together with Energy Citizens, we introduced kids to exciting career opportunities in the oil and gas industry through hands-on virtual reality goggles. The experience was a highlight of the day, sparking energy and enthusiasm for STEM in action.
We were also proud to be alongside fellow community partners—past and future NMOGA grant recipients—including the New Mexico Museum of Natural History, the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Agriculture in the Classroom. Together, we helped showcase the critical role of STEM in shaping bright futures for New Mexico’s next generation.
We are deeply grateful to Chevron for their incredible sponsorship of the entire New Mexico State Fair and for creating opportunities to connect, learn, and celebrate STEM with communities across our state.
NMOGA Supports the American Heart Association's Heart Walk
NMOGA was honored to sponsor the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk in Albuquerque—a powerful and uplifting community event dedicated to fighting heart disease and celebrating heart health.
As part of our sponsorship, NMOGA President & CEO Missi Currier and Community Liaison Marcellus Davis had the joy of greeting more than 600 runners and walkers at the finish line with refreshing popsicles. It was an especially meaningful moment to cheer on participants, including children whose lives were saved by the American Heart Association’s efforts. Hearing these young survivors share their healing journeys before the walk set the tone for an emotional and inspiring day.
Opinion - Ruidoso News
The Balloon Fiesta, Community, and the Power of Partnership
By Missi Currier
Ruidoso News, October 1, 2025
Every October, the skies over Albuquerque come alive with color, creativity, and joy. The Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque isn’t just a local tradition — it’s a global phenomenon. It’s the most photographed event in the world, a celebration of innovation and imagination that brings together families, tourists, and balloonists from across the globe.
But the Balloon Fiesta is more than a breathtaking spectacle. It’s a reflection of what makes New Mexico special: a unique blend of cultures, traditions, and community spirit. Behind the balloons and the crowds are partnerships that keep our state’s heritage thriving. Many of those partnerships come from the energy companies that call New Mexico home.
This year, one of the most significant examples is ExxonMobil’s decision to become the title sponsor of the Balloon Fiesta. That support helps ensure the event remains accessible to all — keeping admission costs down and free for children under 12 – to ensure everyone can share in the magic. It’s a powerful reminder that corporate partnerships can make world-class experiences possible while preserving the community feel that makes the Fiesta so beloved.
Energy companies are stepping up in equally important ways, benefiting New Mexicans no matter where you live in our great state. Chevron is the presenting sponsor for the State Fair, providing a platform to celebrate our rich agricultural heritage and local culture. ConocoPhillips, Coterra Energy, Mewbourne Oil Company, and Permian Resources partner and volunteer with schools throughout the Permian Basin and beyond to expand STEM, career technical education, and scholarships. Devon Energy and Oxy host and volunteer for programs supporting our first responders and veterans. Manzano, LLC, Armstrong Energy, and Synergy Petroleum were some of the first companies to answer the call for help during the tragic fires and floods in Ruidoso, Roswell, and Las Vegas. Enduring Resources works closely with Tribal communities in the San Juan Basin through education, cultural celebrations, and local road maintenance. The list goes on through countless hours of volunteering and philanthropic giving. New Mexicans giving back to their fellow residents is something we can all be proud of.
These acts of giving don’t always make headlines, because that’s not what it’s about, but they do ripple across communities just as surely as the Fiesta balloons drift across the morning sky. They remind us that New Mexico’s future depends on more than infrastructure—it depends on relationships, on showing up, and on making sure we all have the resources to thrive.
The ExxonMobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a celebration of color, flight, and creativity. But it’s also a celebration of partnership — between neighbors, between businesses and nonprofits, between New Mexicans from all walks of life. That’s what truly lifts us: the commitment to each other.
As we look up this October and marvel at the sky filled with balloons, we should also take a moment to look around — at the classrooms, the cultural festivals, and the community centers — made stronger because companies and their employees invested not just in projects, but in people.
Because when we work together—industry, community, and culture — we all rise.
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Thank you,
New Mexico Oil & Gas Association
