Board of Directors

Samantha Salazar

Board Member, Vice Chair

Samantha Salazar serves as the Clean Energy Policy Fellow at the Center for Civic Policy -- A nonpartisan organization that strives to involve everyday New Mexicans in the public policy decisions that affect their lives, with the goal of achieving positive and lasting change. Samantha grew up in Gallup, New Mexico where she developed a strong sense of environmental consciousness after learning about the Church Rock Uranium Spill only four miles away from where her family lives. Her family is rooted in Colorado’s San Luis Valley, where they have farmed for five generations which also developed her love for the outdoors and the protection of the environment.

Samantha received her degree from the University of New Mexico a dual bachelors of science in Environmental Studies (Geography) and Evolutionary Anthropology; a masters of science from the National and Global Security Policy Institute at the University of New Mexico focusing on energy security in New Mexico because of its deep history of natural resources. Simultaneously, while working for Center for Civic Policy, Samantha serves as an Army Reserve Officer at Kirtland AFB.

Samantha has worked on economic development, environmental justice and conservation issues in New Mexico. Samantha worked with The Climate Initiative to develop a policy playbook for New Mexican youth to get involved and learn more about their legislature and what it means to develop smart climate policy. She also worked in ecology doing data for New Mexico Game Fish under the University of New Mexico's Natural Heritage New Mexico program updating data and maps for rare New Mexican species to help conservation efforts.

Samantha lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico with her husband Nick and her cocker spaniel Lola. In her free time she enjoys doing yoga and playing ultimate frisbee.

Steven Fuson

Board Member

Steven Fuson is a NM level 3 water and wastewater operator, who operates a handful of small rural water/wastewater treatment plants in New Mexico. He has more than 30 years of experience relevant to the field, including:

- Legal roles in environmental enforcement, and environmental permitting

- Managerial roles in environmental finance

- Field operator in water/wastewater treatment plant operations, maintenance, repair, installation and construction

- Supervisory and instructional roles in trade and technical education and training

Steven was part of the legal team that successfully argued a NPDES matter before the Environmental Appeals Board.

Steven was Lewis & Roca’s Environmental Law Practice’s representative for the drafting and promulgation of the AZDPES de-minimus rule.

Steven has facilitated the movement of two wastewater treatment plants to the appropriate oversight authority, saving the utility owners thousands of dollars in regulatory compliance and monitoring costs while maintaining the appropriate levels of environmental protection.

Steven acted as the on-site commissioning representative for a newly constructed water and wastewater treatment facility designed and installed by a large national environmental engineering firm. This facility, that Steven currently operates, is an innovative and unique design that is relatively new to the US market.

Steven is currently managing a complete redesign and overhaul of a wastewater plant that was non-compliant with NPDES, and non-functional in its configuration.

Steven is currently the project manager for bringing a wastewater treatment facility into compliance with a newly issued NPDES permit.

Steven has been the instructor for the wastewater math seminars at New Mexico Rural Water Association’s semi-annual conventions for the past few years; receiving Instructor of the Year award for 2023.

Steven has been recognized by Brookline College as Instructor of the year for outstanding classroom instruction for the year 2011.

Nancy E. Landrum

Board Member

Nancy E. Landrum, Ph.D. is Professor of Sustainable Business Transformation at Munich Business School in Germany and a Visiting Professor of Sustainability Management at Les Roches Global Hospitality Education in Switzerland. Her work is in sustainable business, biomimicry, strong sustainability, ecological economics, and the circular economy. Dr. Landrum is co-author of Sustainable Business: An Executive’s Primer, co-founder of the Sustainable Business Network of Central Arkansas, Principal at Sustainable Business Design Consulting, and founder of the Sustainability Training Institute. She received her Ph.D. from New Mexico State University and has received awards for sustainability research, teaching, and service, including Eco-Hero in the state of Arkansas. She was a Fulbright Specialist in Malaysia, a Fulbright Scholar in Portugal, and has been a visiting scholar in Finland, China, England, Netherlands, and Germany. Her consulting work has included a broad range of businesses from a Fortune 100 company to a nonprofit organization in Uganda Africa. She has been quoted in the Washington Post, New York Times, Bloomberg’s Businessweek, Financial Times, and The Hill. Prior to academia, Dr. Landrum was a children’s mental health therapist, licensed social worker, and nonprofit social services administrator. Dr. Landrum is the proud parent of two adopted daughters and two rescue cats. In her spare time, Dr. Landrum enjoys travel, photography, and live theater.

Denmi Whiteman

Board Member

Denmi Whiteman is an Oglala Lakota and Southern Cheyenne Environmental Protection Specialist for the US Environmental Protection Agency. She graduated from Haskell Indian Nations University in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in Indigenous American Indian Studies, where she showcased her expertise through various accomplishments. Denmi presented a capstone project on tribal rights and responsibilities of Native Americans, effectively communicating complex technical findings to non-experts. Additionally, she demonstrated excellent project management skills by successfully leading research projects, setting priorities, coordinating teams, and evaluating outcomes.

Tadd Wales

Board Member

Mr. Wales brings to the table a wealth of expertise and a commendable 17-year track record in the environmental consulting sector. Currently serving as an Associate Geologist at Broadbent & Associates, Inc., he also holds the pivotal role of Office Manager at the firm's Fort Collins, Colorado office, a position he assumed upon joining the esteemed company in 2019.
Throughout his illustrious career, Mr. Wales has been instrumental in spearheading a diverse array of geological, hydrological, and environmental initiatives catering to a broad spectrum of clientele spanning petroleum industries, local, state, and federal agencies, as well as numerous small to large-scale
enterprises. His professional repertoire encompasses a comprehensive range of endeavors, including but
not limited to environmental investigations and remediation projects of varying complexities.
Mr. Wales' proficiency extends to the meticulous conduct of Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments, asbestos inspections, environmental drilling, and underground storage tank assessment and removal. Furthermore, he possesses a wealth of experience in landfill-contaminated sites and the remediation of petroleum-contaminated areas. His expertise is further evidenced by his adeptness in landfill cell structural stability characterization, aquifer testing, and the precise delineation of soil and groundwater contaminant plumes. Additionally,
Mr. Wales is well-versed in the implementation of cutting-edge groundwater and soil remediation technologies, including air sparging, vapor extraction, ISCO injections, and enhanced bioremediation, among others.
Mr. Wales' tenure at Broadbent & Associates, Inc. has seen him helm several significant contracts, notably overseeing site characterization, assessment, project management, and remediation design and
implementation for the State of Colorado Department of Oil and Public Safety (OPS). These projects, often involving releases from underground storage tanks impacting various environmental matrices, underscore his adeptness in navigating complex regulatory landscapes while delivering robust solutions.
In addition to his managerial acumen, Mr. Wales remains deeply involved in environmental sampling and monitoring endeavors, employing a diverse array of state-of-the-art equipment to ensure comprehensive data collection across groundwater, surface water, soil, and air mediums. Furthermore, Mr. Wales has demonstrated his adeptness in the management and oversight of several water and wastewater treatment systems across the states of New Mexico and Wyoming. Leveraging his
extensive experience and keen understanding of environmental dynamics, he has played a pivotal role in ensuring the efficacy and compliance of these crucial infrastructure assets. His leadership in this domain underscores his commitment to safeguarding environmental integrity and public health while delivering
sustainable solutions to complex challenges.
Mr. Wales' unwavering commitment to excellence, coupled with his extensive experience and comprehensive skill set, renders him an invaluable asset in the realm of environmental consulting, where
he continues to drive positive change and uphold the highest standards of environmental stewardship.