Today is Veterans Day, and we honor and share our gratitude for all who serve and have served in the US Armed Forces. NMOGA is proud to partner with local organizations, including the Desert Forge Foundation, to provide support for veterans in New Mexico.
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SAN JUAN FLOOD RELIEFOur hearts are with the San Juan Basin after historic flooding last month resulted in thousands of evacuations and millions of dollars in losses. Local leaders are asking for donations through San Juan County United Way, which is working with community and Chapter House leaders, trusted partners across the region, and the Navajo Nation to support immediate relief, emerging needs, and long-term recovery as these communities rebuild. If you wish to donate, you can do so here. Thank you, Missi Currier |
NOVEMBER HIGHLIGHTS
⛑️ NMOGA, Enduring Resources, and The Foster Alliance distributed hygiene kits in Nageezi, including to families who evacuated during the San Juan flooding.
🚨 TAKE ACTION: Share your support for New Mexico's oil and gas industry.
🩺 Oil and gas provides roughly $1.2 billion of direct funding to SNAP benefits, child welfare services, and programs for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
FEATURED STORY
The Veteran-Led Mission Behind Desert Forge
"Restoring emotional, mental, and physical health to returning combat Veterans through meaningful job training, employment, and the arts."
In 2003, Sergeant Victor Versace deployed to Iraq with his Army National Guard unit, who were assigned to the 1st Armored Division. As a combat engineer sergeant, he spent 14 months hunting for improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and unexploded ordnance (UXO), and participating in over 170 combat patrols.
Upon returning home, Sergeant Versace resumed his civilian career as a civil engineer with the Indian Health Service. However, he struggled with combat-sustained injuries, including: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), neck injuries, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Determined to recover, he continued his military career with the New Mexico Army National Guard. In 2010, he volunteered to deploy again, serving as an engineer advisor in Afghanistan.
During his Afghanistan tour, Sergeant Versace witnessed fellow service members struggling with PTSD and other combat-related issues. To help them, he conceived the Desert Forge Foundation to support New Mexico veterans.
Today, the Desert Forge Foundation actively manages the Veteran Memorial Vineyard in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, New Mexico. Built through the combined efforts of veterans and community volunteers. Since 2010, the foundation has assisted over 100 veterans with employment and emotional support and provided vital agricultural and operational help to more than two dozen local farms.
To learn more about the Desert Forge Foundation's work, click the link here.
COMMUNITY IMPACT
NMOGA JOINS MEMBER COMPANY ENDURING RESOURCES FOR COMMUNITY OUTREACH IN NAGEEZI
NMOGA was proud to join member company Enduring Resources and local community partners for a day of outreach and connection at the Navajo Nation’s Nageezi Chapter House. The event brought together families, local organizations, and industry partners to share valuable resources, strengthen community relationships, and support residents of the Nageezi Chapter.
As part of the event, NMOGA partnered with The Foster Alliance, a 2025 grant recipient of Energizing Our Future, NMOGA’s charitable arm, to assemble and distribute essential hygiene kits to community members. Remaining kits were donated to the Chapter House, where they were later distributed to individuals and families seeking shelter during the recent flooding in San Juan County, providing additional support during a time of unexpected need.
NMOGA extends its sincere appreciation to member company Enduring Resources and the Nageezi Chapter for bringing community partners together. Special thanks to The Foster Alliance for partnering to provide essential hygiene supplies to local families, and to M&R Trucking, the American Heart Association, the Federal Mineral Indian Office, Burning Sage Integrity Services, and the Bureau of Land Management for helping make the event a success.
Through partnerships with member companies like Enduring Resources and community organizations like The Foster Alliance, NMOGA remains committed to supporting New Mexico communities, expanding access to essential resources, and building meaningful relationships that create lasting impact.
FUTURE READY CONNECT ALBUQUERQUE STUDENTS WITH CAREERS AND LEADERS
NMOGA’s Energizing Our Future Foundation partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central New Mexico to host Future Ready: Career & Leadership Experience at the Clubs’ new Teen Center in Albuquerque. Students from Robert F. Kennedy and Highland High Schools met with employers, skilled-trades professionals, and elected leaders to explore careers and build leadership skills.
The day opened with an interactive career fair. Students used an event passport to visit exhibitors, talk with employers and union representatives, and learn about apprenticeships, certifications, and training programs. Exhibitors included UA Local 412, IBEW Local 611, AGC New Mexico, Job Corps, Roadrunner Redi-Mix, One Albuquerque, LIUNA Local 16, and Wagner Equipment.
Students then took part in workshops on advocacy and careers in oil and gas, led by State Representative Nicole Chavez and the NMOGA team.
ACTION CENTER
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New Mexico runs on the people who work in the oil and gas industry. This November, we're asking industry employees and allies to share their support on social media. Create a custom social media graphic, and once you're done, encourage your friends and family to share their support too! |
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WHAT WE'RE WATCHING
In New Mexico, the oil and gas industry is redefining responsible energy production. Through advanced innovations, methane emissions in the Permian Basin have dropped more than 50 percent in just four years.
We're recycling resources, restoring land, and investing in high-tech systems. With oil funding over 40 percent of our state budget, we're supporting schools, healthcare, and good-paying jobs. Every New Mexican benefits, and that's why producing energy responsibly isn't just the right thing to do: it's our standard.
Find out how much you benefit from oil and gas at ForEveryNewMexican.com.
DID YOU KNOW?
Oil-and-gas provides roughly $1.2 billion of direct funding to SNAP benefits, child welfare services, and programs for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
Learn more about the impact of New Mexico's oil and gas industry here.
If you haven't already, follow NMOGA and Energizing Our Future NM on social media to keep up to date with the industry and our work.
Follow NMOGA on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
Follow Energizing Our Future NM on Facebook and Instagram.
Lastly, stay tuned for exciting updates and opportunities for engagement that support a better future for every New Mexican.
Thank you,
New Mexico Oil and Gas Association
