A man with two hats: Joe Chavez, Socorro County Manager

Socorro County Manager Joseph Chavez attended his first county meeting last Tuesday, just three weeks after being hired.

The Feb.10 meeting was highlighted by the emotional recognition of Charles “Chuck” Zimmerly, Tara Jaramillo of Alberta House, Socorro Rodeo and Fair Queens, and the last report from Veronica Pound, before she retires from Socorro Hospital.

“My first meeting, I'm sure it’s still in the honeymoon phase, but I've had a great warm welcome from all of them, which is nice,” Chavez said.

A man with two hats

It’s no secret Chavez was also recently elected mayor of Peralta, which has led many to ask how he can manage both positions.

Chavez said he feels good about his two roles and believes they are complementary.

He said being mayor of Peralta is a part-time position and because he collaborates closely with the town clerk, they often conduct business over the phone during his commute or by stopping by the town office near his residence after hours to sign documents.

Chavez, who was raised in Peralta said he sees a direct benefit in holding both roles.

“I’m learning so much here with just how county government works,” he said. "It’s invaluable information I’m getting from here to go there and help them.”

As far as benefits to the county, he believes being an elected official himself also helps Socorro County commissioners feel that he understands their position.

Chavez said he will work in Socorro during regular hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. On the second Monday of the month he leaves at 4 p.m. for his Peralta meeting and then stays late the second Tuesday of the month for the county commission meeting, a schedule he feels evens out.

First weeks

During his first couple of weeks on the job, Chavez has focused on relationships and understanding. He said he has made a point of meeting with all the department heads in the county to find out more about their roles and to ask about their expectations and needs.

With new and complex issues, he isn’t shy about asking questions and relying on the institutional knowledge offered by county employees.

“They’ll be talking. I’ll be like, ‘I have no idea,’ ” he said. “ I tell them ‘You’re gonna have to slow it down, dumb it down, because this is brand new to me.’”

He said not knowing is not the same as not wanting to learn. He views learning as a two-way street as a learner and a teacher and values the opportunity to mentor others as well.

“Every day I’m learning something which is awesome,” he said.

One of the new things he’s implemented is regular Tuesday morning meetings with all the department heads and elected officials, something he says he is not sure has been done before. He feels the meetings are an opportunity for understanding and communication among the department.

During the second meeting, he sensed that people were more comfortable with each other.

“Even if there are issues, well, we maybe can resolve it all here right away, as a group of decision makers?” Chavez said, “ So I'm excited about that.”

For Chavez, building relationships doesn’t end with the county employees; he also values being accessible and approachable to the public.

Right now, when he goes to eat lunch in Socorro, he sits by himself and can’t tell if anyone recognizes him yet, but he hopes that in the near future, people will approach him and feel comfortable talking to him.

“I'm looking forward to that involvement with the community,” Chavez said.

He said he hopes he can be a benefit to the community for many years to come and bring his experience in handling issues calmly with a focus on solutions.

“I want to come in every day, passionate about coming in. I want to have a purpose,” Chavez said. “I'm hoping that I can help somebody grow. Also, I want to teach as well as learn. If you can do that during your workday, or even with your family, it's a blessing.”