Our People: Horse required for perfect day

Erin Montano was born and raised in southern new Mexico. She attended Tularosa High School and went on to graduate from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces. Montano grew up in a family of ranchers. She has been involved in agriculture all her life.

She and her family attend Faith Christian Family Church. She is the mother of two and is married to Daniel Montano of Clovis. She enjoys riding horses and barrel racing. She said that riding was once intolerable as she suffers from rheumatoid arthritis. She said she found an outlet to relieve her pain when she began working for a health and wellness company based in Utah in June 2017. She now rides independently and rodeos often with her husband.

She is an entrepreneur but she also works a full time job. Montano is one of three in the human resource department at the City of Clovis where she handles various personnel issues and employee training. She holds certifications in CPR training, OSHA and is a defensive driving instructor.

What do you like about your work?

I enjoy getting to help people. I like to be a resource to people, to be an avenue to help people get their problems resolved. I want to make a positive change in other people's lives.

What don't you like about your job?

I think the biggest challenges come when I forget to step outside the box and remember that everyone has a struggle. Sometimes you're not aware of what others have been through.

What's your idea of a perfect day?

It's sunny at 75 degrees and a lot of horsebacking in the arena.

When you were a kid, what did you think you'd be doing as an adult?

I wanted to be a vet. I knew I was going to be one up until my junior year in college when I decided I liked genetics and applied myself there.

What's so great about your favorite sport?

Rodeo. I love everything from the smell of the dirt to the sound of the hooves of a fast horse turning a barrel.

What's your favorite taste?

Green chili.

What's your favorite smell?

Leather.

What do you do when you're not working?

I don't know. I work all the time. There's not a lot of down time in our family but I do like to draw. I am an artist. Whenever I get into that frame of mind and actually find the time to do it, I draw.

Tell us about your favorite place to travel?

I've enjoyed travel In many places and I enjoy spending time in the Fort Worth area. But somewhere I'd like to travel to is Australia.

What do you envision your life being like in 10 years?

I envision myself debt free. I'm working toward that and I just want to enjoy life on good horses.

— Compiled by The News Correspondent D'Nieka Hartsfield