Dr. Francisco Pallares is the Director of Business Development for the New Mexico Spaceport Authority, in charge of bringing industry in the aerospace sector and supporting economic development efforts in the aerospace industry in New Mexico. He is also an existing instructor of Economics for the online campus of New Mexico State University and a former Associate Professor of Economics at Sul Ross State University and Deputy Director for the Economic Development department at City of Las Cruces and has over 10 years of experience in applied economic development and economic research. His background includes leading projects on revenue forecasting, cost benefit analysis, economic impact analysis, fiscal impact analysis, local and small business development, COVID recovery strategies including those for workforce development programs to support vulnerable populations and displaced workers, and diversification of employment opportunities.
Francisco’s research has been published in economic journals such as Economic Development Quarterly, Journal of Borderland Studies, Regional Science Policy and Practice, and Asian Economic and Financial Review. Highlights to Dr. Pallares educational background include a doctorate in Economic Development from New Mexico State University, a master’s in economics and bachelor’s from the University of Texas at El Paso
Bryce Kennedy drives space connectivity and innovation as a Senior Officer at the International Telecommunications Union, helping countries develop advanced satellite communication strategies.
As Executive Director of SpaceValley Foundation in New Mexico, he is transforming the state into a global space innovation hub by connecting scientific infrastructure with cultural landscapes, integrating resources from Spaceport America, NASA, and Los Alamos National Laboratory.
An adjunct professor at New Mexico Tech, Bryce teaches space law and policy to engineering students. He co-founded the Association of Commercial Space Professionals to educate the industry on regulatory requirements.
Previously, he advised executives at Boston Consulting Group in New York City during the COVID-19 pandemic, developing strategic implementation approaches. With a law background from Catholic University and a global management degree from Thunderbird, Bryce recently joined the U.S. Air Force Honorary Commanders Program.
Derrick Watchman is an experienced executive with over 40 years of commercial and tribal business experience in management, operations, and finances. Derrick is President of Sagebrush Hill Group LLC, a tribal affairs, financial advisory services, and economic development advisory company. Derrick is a member of the Navajo Nation and was raised on the Navajo reservation. Derrick was the Chief Executive Officer for the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise, the gaming operator for the Navajo Nation casinos. He started at Navajo gaming as the Chief Financial Officer. Derrick led the gaming enterprise in its expansion of 3 casinos employing over 1,700 employees. Prior Derrick was Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager at JP Morgan Chase Bank’s Native American Banking Group. He provided tribal financial and banking services for gaming tribes around the country. Previously, he worked for the Wells Fargo Bank handling Native American gaming banking and financing. Mr. Watchman was Chief Operating Officer and General Manager of the Navajo Nation’s Dinè Power Authority where he advised on Navajo Nation energy projects. He also held the Navajo Tax Commission Director post. Mr. Watchman also worked with Prudential Capital Corporation as a private placement banker. Among several directorships, he is a member of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development Board of Directors, a director for the Native American Bancorporation and a member of the Dineh Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Watchman holds an MBA from the University of California and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona.
Celeste Nuñez Salcido is a global trade and international relations professional with extensive experience working with government and economic development oganizations. As Director of International Business Resources for the New Mexico Trade Alliance—a public-private partnership funded by the City of Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, the State of New Mexico, and the Air Force Research Laboratory—she leads New Mexico’s international trade programs. She helps SMEs access global markets through local, state, federal, and international export assistance resources, including the NM STEP Grant, and manages international relations for government clients by facilitating inbound delegations, organizing outbound missions, and providing trade intelligence for strategic decision-making.
Celeste serves on the Albuquerque Sister Cities Foundation Board as Chair of Guadalajara, Mexico relations, is a State Leader with the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition NM Advisory Committee, and a member of the Albuquerque World Affairs Council. She was honored to participate in the 2024 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions as one of the 50 Global Shapers delegates.
Celeste graduated summa cum laude from the University of New Mexico’s Anderson School of Management with a BBA in International Management and Marketing. She is fluent in English and Spanish.
