Field Offices
New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services – Field Services
There are 16 field offices of the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services located throughout the state. Each is staffed by an accredited Veterans’ Service Officer (VSO) to assist veterans and their dependents with filing for their federal and state benefits. Most VSO’s also have regularly-scheduled outreach visits to smaller surrounding communities.
Below are these field and outreach offices. Please contact your nearest VSO to schedule an appointment (click on their names for a link to their email address). All service officers are veterans themselves and are dedicated to helping their fellow veterans with filing for the well-deserved benefits earned through their honorable service to our country.
New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services – Field Services
ALBUQUERQUE REGION: Includes service to Bernalillo, Rio Rancho Cuba, Edgewood, Socorro, Belen, Los Lunas, Moriarty, Grants, Gallup and Farmington, Aztec, Shiprock, Bloomfield, Kirtland.
George Vargas
Supervisor in Training
500 Gold Street SW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone 505-346-3896
Fax: 505-346-4869
Email: George.vargas@state.nm.us
Counties Served: Bernalillo, Valencia, Torrance, Socorro
George Vargas is an Albuquerque Veterans’ Service Officer and a Supervisor in training at the VA Regional Office. George formerly worked as a VSO at the NMDVS Clovis office, returning to the agency in 2013 after working for three years as a homeless veterans’ advocate. He served in Operation Desert Storm Veteran with the U.S. Navy. George comes from a family with strong military ties: A cousin served with the U.S. Marines, and two others served in the US Army. George is accredited by the NACVSO.
Gordon Schei
Northeast Albuquerque DVS Office
5201 Eagle Rock NE
Albuquerque, NM 87113
Phone: 505-383-2404
Fax: 505-383-2413
Email: Gordon.schei@state.nm.us
Counties Served: Bernalillo, Sandoval
Gordon Schei is the Veterans’ Service Officer based in the Albuquerque NE Heights office who came to the NM DVS in July of 2008. Gordon served with the U.S. Army as an Engineer from 1979-1988 stationed in Germany. He’s the proud father of two sons who followed his footsteps and are both Wounded Warriors and have and both have been awarded the Purple Heart: Erik served an U.S. Army Engineer in Iraq, and Deven served with the Army as an Engineer in Afghanistan. Gordon is accredited by the NACVSO.
Martin Marquez
Bernalillo, Sandoval
5201 Eagle Rock NE
Albuquerque, NM 87113
Phone 505-383-2405
Fax: 505-383-2413
Email: martinm.marquez@state.nm.us
Counties Served: Bernalillo, Sandoval
Martin Marquez is the Veterans’ Service Officer based in the Albuquerque NE Heights office who came to the NM DVS in May 2018. Martin served with the U.S. Army as a Finance/Accounting Specialist from 1972-1979 stationed in Germany and Hawaii. He served with the 25th Infantry Division and the 100th MTC. He comes from the NM Workforce Solutions where he served as a Local Veterans Representative and is a retired Education Administrator from El Paso, Texas. Martin is accredited by the NMCVSO.
Ramie Hurley
Gallup
908 E, Buena Vista Ave
Gallup, NM 87301
Phone: 505-868-7457
Fax: (505) 863-7836
Email: Ramie.Hurley@state.nm.us
Counties Served: Cibola, McKinley, Catron
Raymie Hurley is a member of the Navajo Nation. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in October 1999 and he served until 2003. He was stationed at Marine Security Guard Battalion, Marine Corps Base Quantico VA. After His enlistment, he attended the Navajo Law Enforcement Training Academy and he became a Navajo Nation Police Officer for eight years. He was a patrol officer, a tactical officer, and a substation officer. Raymie attained an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of New Mexico, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Western New Mexico University. Raymie comes from a family with strong military and law enforcement ties. Raymie is accredited by the NACVSO.
Beverly Charley
Farmington
101 W. Animas Street, Suite 101
Farmington, NM 87401
Phone: 505-327-2861
Fax: 505-599-9745
Email beverly.charley@state.nm.us
Counties Served: San Juan, Rio Arriba
Beverly Charley is the NMDVS Veterans’ Service Officer in the agency’s Farmington/Four Corners office. Prior to coming to the NMDVS in May of 2015, she worked for nine years as a Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER) for the New Mexico Workforce Connection’s Farmington/Four Corners office. Beverly served in the U. S. Army for 14 years—having been deployed to Somalia, Africa, Haiti (twice) and Iraq. She is also a proud member of the Navajo Nation and she is currently assigned as the Tribal liaison for the Department. Beverly is accredited by the NACVSO.
Las Vegas Region: Includes service to Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Espanola, Taos, Mora, Angel Fire, Raton, Clayton and Santa Rosa.
Gary Fresquez
Supervisor
200 N. 3rd Street
Raton, NM 87740
Phone 575-445-8282
Fax:
Email: gary.fresquez@state.nm.us
Counties Served: Colfax, Union, Taos
Gary Fresquez is a lifetime resident of Raton. Gary served in the US Navy from 1974 to 1986 and attained the rank of Lieutenant. During his service, Gary served aboard the USS Peleliu (LHA-5), and the USS Towers (DDG-9), which was stationed in the Persian Gulf during the Iranian Hostage Crisis. Gary attained a BS from the USNA-1979 and a Master of Education from Colorado State University. Gary became a VSO in September 2008 and in January, 2016, he was promoted to Area Supervisor. Gary has over 10 years of experience in all aspects of Federal and State Veteran benefits. Gary is a life member of the VFW and serves as the Quartermaster for over 15 years. Gary is accredited by the NACVSO.
Karen Abeyta
Supervisor in Training
917 Douglas Ave
Las Vegas, NM 87701
Phone: 505-454-0068
Fax:
Email: Karen.Abeyta@state.nm.us
Counties Served: Guadalupe, Mora San Miguel, Taos
Karen Abeyta has more than 5 years’ experience advocating for veterans and their family members. Born and raised in Las Vegas, Karen served in the US Navy from 07/1997 to 08/2000. During her enlistment she was deployed to Spain, Guam and several United States locations. Karen attained a Bachelor of Business Administration from the NM Highlands University. Before coming to the DVS, Karen worked as a Local Veterans Employment Representative for the NM Workforce Connection from 2004 to 2006. Karen is accredited with National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO) and has extensive Knowledge of Title 38 CFR. Her grandfather Nicholas Abeyta was a WWII Army Veteran; she also has several uncles that served during Vietnam, Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Jeff George
Santa Fe
301 West De Vargas
Santa Fe, NM 87501
Phone: 505-827-6355 or 505-476-7903
Email: jeff.george@state.nm.us
Counties Served: Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Rio Arriba and Taos
Jeff George has been a lifetime resident of New Mexico and has lived in Farmington, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Espanola and Portales. Jeff was born in Farmington, NM where his father Eugene “Skip” George, a Vietnam veteran, still resides. Jeff enlisted in the US Army in 1993 and served as a 19K (M1A1 Armor Crewman) before his honorable discharge with a service-related disability as a Corporal.
Jeff was hired on March 8, 2008 and he became the VSO for Santa Fe & the Albuquerque VARO. Jeff is a member of the San Juan Chapter of the DAV and Los Alamos VFW 8874. Jeff is well known throughout Northern New Mexico. Jeff is accredited by the NACVSO.
J.R. Turner
Supervisor
2024 E. Griggs Ave
Las Cruces, NM 8801
Phone: 575-524-6220
Fax: 575-524-6130
Email: jr.turner@state.nm.us
Counties Served: Dona Ana, Sierra
James Turner retired from the US Air Force in June 1995 after twenty years of honorable service. JR worked as an Avionics Technician on the F-111 Fighter/Bomber and the F-117 Stealth Fighter. JR was deployed twice to Saudi Arabia with the Stealth Fighter during Operation Desert Storm. In December 1998, JR attained a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the New Mexico State University (NMSU). He then was employed for six years as a Juvenile Probation/Parole Officer with the NM Children, Youth and Families Department. JR became a VSO for the NM Department of Veterans’ Services in April 2005. The Las Cruces office is by far one of the busiest in the state with a strong reputation for VA Claims processing and applying for state benefits. JR is actively involved in the local community with the Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Life Member of VFW Post 6917, and sits on several veteran related committees. JR is accredited by the NACVSO.
Lazaro (Larry) Ramos
Las Cruces
2024 E. Griggs Ave
Las Cruces, NM 8801
Phone: 575-524-6220
Fax: 575-524-6130
Email: lazara.ramos@state.nm.us
Counties Served: Dona Ana, Sierra
Lazaro (Larry) Ramos retired from the US Army as a First Sergeant after 22 years of honorable service. During his career, Larry was a combat medic with deployments in support of numerous operations including 3 campaigns in Iraq, 1 campaign in Afghanistan, Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia, and Restore Hope in Rwanda, UN Mission Haiti Task Force 131. His military awards include 2 Bronze Stars, 2 Meritorious Service Medals, 2 Joint Service Commendations Medals, the Combat Action Badge and the Combat Expert Medic Badge. Larry holds degrees from Hawaii Pacific University in Organizational Leadership and a Bachelor in Healthcare Management. Larry is an accredited VSO with former experience working for the American Legion under the Washington State Department of Veterans Services.
Larry Weatherwax
Alamogordo
411 10th Street #107
Alamogordo, NM 88310
Phone 575-437-4635
Fax: 575-434-0397
Email: larry.weatherwax@state.nm.us
Counties Served: Otero, Lincoln
Larry Weatherwax graduated from Alamogordo High School in May of 1996. Larry enlisted in the Army National Guard in May of 1995 and completed Basic Training at Ft. Jackson South Carolina. He completed AIT at Ft. Lee Virginia for Automated Logistics Specialist, 92A MOS. In March of 2003, Larry was activated to serve as a Force Protection Specialist under Operation Noble Eagle for two years. Larry has completed a Network Specialist Certificate in May 2015 and an Associate’s Degree in Information Technology in May 2016, both from NMSU-A. Larry is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Communication Technology from Main Campus NMSU and has become an accredited VSO through the NACVSO.
Chris Teran
Santa Clara
11990 US Hwy 180 East
Santa Clara, NM 88026
Phone: (575) 912-3166
Fax:
Email: chris.teran@state.nm.us
Counties Served: Grant, Hidalgo,
Chris Teran enlisted in the Army in 2001 and went to basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia. After completing Army combat medic school at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Chris served at White Sands Missile Range. In 2003, Chris went to Fort Knox, Kentucky and was part of the Warrior Transition Course. Chris participated in the disaster relief in southern Louisiana after hurricane Katrina, and spent time at Fort Bragg and Camp McKall, NC. Chris was activated to active duty in support of Noble Eagle and was honorably discharged in 2007 as a Specialist.
ROSWELL REGION: Includes service to Clovis, Tucumcari, Portales, Hobbs, Carlsbad, Ruidoso, Fort Sumner, Fort Stanton and Capitan.
Dalton Boyd
Supervisor
2120 N. Alto Street
Hobbs, NM 88240
Phone (575) 397-5290
Fax:
Email: dalton.boyd@state.nm.us
Counties Served: Eddy, Chavez, Roosevelt, Curry, Quay, DeBaca
Dalton Boyd is the Veterans’ Service Officer based in the Hobbs NMDVS office who joined the NMDVS in September of 2005. Dalton was born and raised in Lea County. He is a U.S. Army veteran having served from 1967 thru 1970. Dalton has four children and three grand-children. In addition to serving as a veterans’ service officer, he also remains active in several community organizations.
Matt Barela
Clovis
904 W. 6th Street
Clovis, NM 88101
Phone: 575-762-6185
Fax:
Email: Mattherw.Barela@state.nm.us
Counties Served: Curry, Quay, Roosevelt, De Baca
Matt Barela was born and raised in Clovis NM. Matt has attained a BCIS degree. Matt served in the US Army in Desert Shield and Desert Storm with the 24th Infantry Division 101st Airborne. Matt is involved in the Clovis Community with resources that include Goodwill, Lighthouse, Matt25, United Way as well as the colleges and the Chamber, JVC, VFW and American Legion. Matt also conducts workshops at Cannon AFB for filing claims and working with e-benefits. Matt is accredited by the NACVSO.
Dagmar Youngberg
Carlsbad
101 N. Halagueno
Carlsbad, NM 88220
Phone: 575-885-4939
Fax:
Counties Served: Eddy
Dagmar Youngberg is the NMDVS Veterans’ Service Officer in Carlsbad. Prior to her joining the department in November of 2013, she worked for three years in the Carlsbad office of the New Mexico Workforce Connection—where as a Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER) advocating for the hiring of veterans for jobs in Eddy County. The U.S. Army veteran is the daughter of an Army retiree (24-years of service).
Danielle Thompson
Roswell
1600 S.E. Main Street
Roswell, NM 88201
Phone: 575-624-6086
Fax:
Email: danielle.thompson@state.nm.us
Counties Served: Chavez and DeBaca
Danielle Thompson has been a resident of New Mexico since 1999, where she graduated from Ruidoso High School. She joined the United States Navy in 2007 as an Operational Specialist. She completed two deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with her first command at COMPHIBRON TWO, better known as Amphibious Squadron Two, and the USS Carter Hall. Mrs. Thompson completed four years with the US Navy and left as a Third Class Petty Officer Surface Warfare/Air Warfare. Danielle resides in Dexter, New Mexico with her husband and family. She has ten years combined experience in administration. She comes to DVS from the Income support Division where she was a Family Assistance Analyst One. Danielle has been accredited by the NACVSO.
Santa Fe
New Mexico Department Of Veterans Services
407 Galisteo St., Room 134
Santa Fe, NM 87501
Albuquerque
Theresa Zuni
500 Gold Street SW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
505-436-4810
theresa.zuni@state.nm.us
Albuquerque
Gordon Shei
5201 Eagle Rock Ave NE/Suite 2A
Albuquerque, NM 87113
(505) 383-2404
Gordon.shei@state.nm.us
Carlsbad
Dagmar Youngberg
101 N. Halagueno St.
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 885-4939
Dagmar.youngberg@state.nm.us
Clovis
Matt Barela
904 W. 6th Street
Clovis, NM 88101
(575) 762-6185
Matthew.barela@state.nm.us
Farmington
Beverly Charley
101 W. Animas St., Rm #104
Farmington, NM 87401
(505) 327-2861
Beverly.charley@state.nm.us
Grants
Tyrra Saavedra
515 E. High Suite C
Grants, NM 87020
(505) 287-8387
Tyrra.saavedra@state.nm.us
Hobbs
Dalton Boyd
2120 N. Alto Street
Hobbs, NM 88240
(575) 397-5290
Dalton.boyd@state.nm.us
Las Cruces
J.R. Turner
2024 E. Griggs Ave
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 524-6620
Jr.turner@state.nm.us
Las Cruces
George Vargas
2024 E. Griggs Ave
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 524-6124
George.vargas@state.nm.us
Las Vegas
Karen Abeyta
917 Douglas Ave
Las Vegas, NM 87701
(505) 454-0068
Karen.abeyta@state.nm.us
Raton
Gary Fresquez
200 N. 3rd St
Raton, NM 87740
(575) 445-8282
Gary.fresquez@state.nm.us
Santa Fe
Jeff George
301 W. De Vargas St
Santa Fe, NM
(505) 827-7492
Jeff.george@state.nm.us
Silver City
Bradley Brock
11990 US HWY 180 East
Santa Clara, NM 88026
(575) 912-3166
Bradleya.brock@state.nm.us
Veterans’ Property Tax Exemption
Any veteran who served a minimum of 90 days consecutive active duty (other than for training), was honorably discharged, and is a legal resident of New Mexico qualifies for a $4,000 reduction in the taxable value of their real property for county taxation purposes. This benefit is also available to non-remarried surviving spouses of a veteran who would have otherwise qualified for this benefit.
In lieu of the property tax exemption, this benefit can instead be used to obtain a 1/3 discount off a vehicle registration fee when registering a vehicle in New Mexico.
Property Tax Exemption Form
Affidavit of Loss Form
Veterans’ Property Tax Exemption
Any veteran who served a minimum of 90 days consecutive active duty (other than for training), was honorably discharged, and is a legal resident of New Mexico qualifies for a $4,000 reduction in the taxable value of their real property for county taxation purposes. This benefit is also available to non-remarried surviving spouses of a veteran who would have otherwise qualified for this benefit.
In lieu of the property tax exemption, this benefit can instead be used to obtain a 1/3 discount off a vehicle registration fee when registering a vehicle in New Mexico.
Property Tax Exemption Form
Affidavit of Loss Form
New Mexico Locations
Santa Fe
Address Change
New Mexico Department Of Veterans Services
407 Galisteo St., Room 134
Santa Fe, NM 87501
Albuquerque
Theresa Zuni
500 Gold Street SW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
505-436-4810
theresa.zuni@state.nm.us
Albuquerque
Gordon Shei
5201 Eagle Rock Ave NE/Suite 2A
Albuquerque, NM 87113
(505) 383-2404
Gordon.shei@state.nm.us
Carlsbad
Dagmar Youngberg
101 N. Halagueno St.
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 885-4939
Dagmar.youngberg@state.nm.us
Clovis
Matt Barela
904 W. 6th Street
Clovis, NM 88101
(575) 762-6185
Matthew.barela@state.nm.us
Farmington
Beverly Charley
101 W. Animas St., Rm #104
Farmington, NM 87401
(505) 327-2861
Beverly.charley@state.nm.us
Grants
Tyrra Saavedra
515 E. High Suite C
Grants, NM 87020
(505) 287-8387
Tyrra.saavedra@state.nm.us
Hobbs
Dalton Boyd
2120 N. Alto Street
Hobbs, NM 88240
(575) 397-5290
Dalton.boyd@state.nm.us
Las Cruces
J.R. Turner
2024 E. Griggs Ave
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 524-6620
Jr.turner@state.nm.us
Las Cruces
George Vargas
2024 E. Griggs Ave
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 524-6124
George.vargas@state.nm.us
Las Vegas
Karen Abeyta
917 Douglas Ave
Las Vegas, NM 87701
(505) 454-0068
Karen.abeyta@state.nm.us
Raton
Gary Fresquez
200 N. 3rd St
Raton, NM 87740
(575) 445-8282
Gary.fresquez@state.nm.us
Roswell
Dalton Boyd
1600 SE Main ST Suite A
Roswell, NM 88203
Santa Fe
Jeff George
301 W. De Vargas St
Santa Fe, NM
(505) 827-7492
Jeff.george@state.nm.us
Silver City
Bradley Brock
11990 US HWY 180 East
Santa Clara, NM 88026
(575) 912-3166
Bradleya.brock@state.nm.us
Please make note of the following ADDRESS CHANGE:
New Mexico Department Of Veterans Services
407 Galisteo St., Room 134
Santa Fe, NM 87501