Jon Barela, CEO of the Borderplex Alliance, has been distinguished as the inaugural recipient of the Kevin B. Boberg Excellence in Economic Development Award. This accolade, sponsored by New Mexico State University’s (NMSU) Arrowhead Center in collaboration with the Border Industrial Association, celebrates individuals and entities committed to fostering economic growth in New Mexico and its surrounding areas through collaborative efforts with the university and broader community.
Before assuming his role at the Borderplex Alliance in 2016, Barela significantly contributed to New Mexico’s economic landscape as the state’s Economic Development Cabinet Secretary. His tenure was marked by New Mexico’s emergence as a leader in export growth, the creation of over 16,000 private-sector jobs, and the launch of major private-sector construction projects. Barela’s efforts also led to comprehensive tax reforms that benefited the state’s private sector, earning him unanimous confirmation and reconfirmation by the state Senate in 2012 and 2015, respectively.
The Borderplex Alliance, under Barela’s leadership, uniquely represents an economic collaboration across two countries and three states, with members from El Paso, Las Cruces, and Juárez. This organization is pivotal in advocating for economic development and policy reforms that span international and state lines, reflecting a commitment to regional prosperity.
The award is a tribute to Kevin Boberg’s three-decade legacy at NMSU, where he played a critical role in the university’s economic development and community engagement efforts. Boberg was instrumental in the founding of the Arrowhead Center, serving as its first director and CEO, and held the Garrey E. and Katherine T. Carruthers Chair in Economic Development in the College of Business. His contributions to the university and the state’s economic development were profound, ranging from his tenure as NMSU’s vice president for economic development to his dedication to mentoring students and shaping future leaders through initiatives like the Domenici Public Policy Conference Student Panelist program and the Domenici Scholars program.
The recognition of Jon Barela as the first recipient of the Kevin B. Boberg Excellence in Economic Development Award underscores the continued impact of collaborative efforts in driving economic growth and development in New Mexico and beyond, honoring the legacy of a figure whose work has left an indelible mark on the community and the region.
