CCC candidate profiles

Position 1

Candidate: Gayla Brumfield

Occupation: Coldwell Banker Colonial Real Estate broker and owner

Experience: Brumfield has been a Clovis Community College Trustee since 2005. She helped establish the CCC Cultural Arts Committee and served on the CCC Foundation, a group that distributes scholarships and purchases art for the college.

More on Brumfield: Brumfield received an associate’s degree from CCC. “I am a non-traditional student,” said Brumfield, who received her degree after she married and had children.

The Realtor said she moved to Clovis from Farwell at the age of 10.

Candidate: Dr. Kennedy Merritt

Occupation: Owns dental practice

Experience: Merritt taught at Marshall Junior High School for three years and was an anatomy and physiology instructor at Clovis Community College. He has degrees from University of New Mexico and Eastern New Mexico University.

More on Merritt: Merritt is a Clovis native and a father. “I really have questioned myself as to why I want to run (in this election)” Merritt said. “It’s my interest, drive and passion for education.”

Position 4

Candidate: Charles Guthals

Occupation: Owner of Guthals Nursery

Experience: Guthals served on the Clovis Municipal Schools Board of Education for 27 years. During his tenure, he lobbied state legislators and helped stop an initiative to consolidate New Mexico schools. He is a member of the Clovis Municipal Schools Foundation, a fledgling organization that raises money for school projects.

More on Guthals: A native of Clovis, Guthals attended Eastern New Mexico University and served in the New Mexico National Guard for 10 years. “I believe that my experience will be invaluable on the board,” Guthals said.

Candidate: Raymond Mondragon

Occupation: ENMR-Plateau Manager of Area Economic Development

Experience: Mondragon is a former manager of the city of Clovis and former Clovis Police Department chief. He recently finished his tenure as president of the CCC Foundation and was instrumental in establishing a scholarship for CCC students.

More on Mondragon: Mondragon is a Clovis native whose parents moved from Anton Chico to Clovis in the 1940s. “It’s very important that we are servants of our communities,” Mondragon said.