Thom Wright, President
Mr. Wright has been self employed as a Homebuilder/General Contractor since 1979.  He has experience in renovating and repairing old buildings and currently holds a NM Contractor's License (license number 20008 since 1982) with qualifications in General Contracting, Electrical Contracting, and Mechanical Contracting (plumbing, Heating, Ventillating, Air Conditioning, gas piping).  Thom has served as President and Secretary of the APC (numerous terms.)  His education includes: AA in Marketing, 1971 College of DuPage, BA in Economics, 1973 Wheaton College and a MBA in Finance, 1975 Northern Illinois University.  Thom has Thick Skin and Gray Hair.

Peri Pakroo, Vice President
Peri Pakroo is a consultant and media developer, specializing in legal and start-up issues for businesses and nonprofits. She owns and runs P-Brain Media (www.pbrainmedia.com), a strategic consulting and communications firm that develops information-rich media for web, print, video and other formats. She received her law degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 1995, and a year later began editing and writing for Nolo, specializing in small business and intellectual property issues. She is the author of The Small Business Start-Up Kit (national and California editions) and Starting and Building a Nonprofit, and has edited such titles as Nolo’s Starting & Running a Successful Newsletter or Magazine; Getting Permission: How to License & Clear Copyrighted Materials Online & Off; Music Law; and How to Write a Business Plan. Peri teaches adult education courses at WESST (www.wesst.org) in Albuquerque, a nonprofit whose mission is to facilitate entrepreneurship among women and minorities in the state of New Mexico. She is active in supporting local, independent businesses and is a co-founder of the Albuquerque Independent Business Alliance.

Pam Micker, Treasurer
Pam Micker has over thirty years experience in the field of education.  She served as President and Treasurer of the New Mexico Counselors Association and was instrumental in the introduction and passage of the Counselor Licensure Bill by the New Mexico State Legislature.  Ms. Micker has been an Albuquerque Press Club life member for over twenty years and has held all APC Board positions, including manager and bartender, during her membership.  Ms. Micker is currently serving as the Treasurer of the APC.

Jonathan Wright, Secretary
Jonathan Wright works at Dekker/ Perich/ Sabatini architects as an Intern Architect. He is currently fulfiling IDP requirements and studying for the ARE's in pursuit of being a licensed Registered Architect in New Mexico. Jonathan holds the degrees of BA in Architecture and  Master of Architecure from UNM. He is also studying to become LEED AP certified in the first quarter of 2009. Jonathan has 10 experience in the residential construction field, working in most trades in residential construction. In addition to a career in architecture, Jonathan is an avid photographer, a passion of the past 12 years. He has been a member of APC for the past 4 years and was a bartender at APC for the majority of 2007, and has been the director of Art at APC for the past two years.

Michelle Lemons, 2008 Past-President
Michelle Lemons is a 14-year resident of New Mexico and a 6-year member of the Albuquerque Press Club Association where she has held the position of Art Director Chair prior to last year’s Presidency.
Michelle holds BA degrees in Art and Design/ JLMC, with a minor in music industry marketing from Iowa State University. She has a 10 year employment record in marketing, promotions, and graphic design/ advertising including: production coordinator, contributing editor/ promotions director, marking account executive as well as various board positions and chairperson positions for independent magazines, public service campaigns and communications committees, she has also worked as a freelance writer and published her own magazine.  Michelle switched gears with an Art Education MA with Licensure from UNM. Although currently employed for the last 8 years as an Itinerant Elementary Art Teacher, she has been teaching with Albuquerque Public School District for 12 years licensed Level 3, K-12.  Most recently, she has accepted the position of Vice President of the New Mexico Art Education Association for 2009.

Kouri Antinone, Director
Kouri Antinone is a life-long resident of Albuquerque, and one year member of the Albuquerque Press Club. She has served on several non-profit organizational committees including Manzano Day School’s mailing committee and silent auction committee (1993-1996), as well as assisting the chair for Asbury Pie Café (1994-2000). Kouri is currently a senior at UNM studying photography and art history. She has significant experience in all aspects of the photographic field as well as truck loads of not-so-important trivia knowledge. This is Kouri’s first time serving on the APC Board, but she has several ideas and a passion to help make APC the best it can be.

Brad Cole, Director
Brad Cole is an Albuquerque native and a first year member of the APC. Brad's father was a general contractor, and former 15 year APC member.  From a very young age Brad was interested in dismantling any mechanical object regardless of his ability to re-assemble it. Design and technical work was decidedly a natural path
Brad has been involved in development of bars and nightclubs for over 22 years. Starting as a DJ in the 80's, Brad now runs his own business designing, consulting, renting, and installing audio & visual systems. Brad has also had varied roles in the construction of over 75 bars and nightclubs across the USA. Brad's flagship project is a highly successful nightclub located in Caesars Forum shops in Las Vegas, Nevada, for which he consulted, designed, and supervised the install of the extensive sound, light & video system. Club Poetry opened in 2003 and has been rated the #1 club in the USA more than once.
In the mid 90's Brad owned and operated 3 successful clubs in downtown Albuquerque. In the over 2 decades he has gained invaluable experience having a well-rounded knowledge of the legal operation of liquor-licensed entities in the state of New Mexico.
In 1999 Brad Moved to Los Angeles to work in the motion picture business, where he was employed as a camera technician by several special EFX camera companies. During that time he was working on countless TV commercials and features. During that time, Brad was influenced by working with some of the world's best cinematographers  - hoping something would rub off - and decided to learn his hand at photography,. Still currently dabbling in photography as a hobby, Brad plans to show sometime this year at the APC.  
Brad has also been very successful in creating, promoting and producing special events. He is now the head of the APC "Social Committee". Brad with his expertise is looking forward to helping the APC in its continued success and helping improve the long-term outlook for the club.

Coral Cordova, Director
I am an elementary teacher in Rio Rancho and have been a member of the Albuquerque Press Club for two years.  I have had the honor of serving as a director on the board for one year; this is my second year serving as a director and am excited about the future of the Albuquerque Press Club.  I have also served on the WHPF for one year.  I have a deep love and admiration for the building, the club, members, and guests.  It is a home away from home for some and a great social network from all walks of life.

Nate Gempesaw-Pangan, Director
Nate Gempesaw-Pangan is a student working towards a BA in graphic design. He has 6 years experience in the pharmaceutical field as a licensed and certified pharmacy technician grade 2.  Additionally, he has 3 years experience in bar managements and security .  Nate currently works as a photographic production assistant and rogue graphic designer.  Among his interests, Nate is an avid reader, gamer, fashion aficionado, firearms enthusiast and overall Socratic learner. He dabbles in event organization, modeling, automobiles, eastern culture and martial arts. Nate is a one year member of the Albuquerque Press Club and this is his first term in an officers position.     

Elizabeth Hunter, Director
Elizabeth Hunter has been a social member of the APC for one year.  During her first year of membership, she was appointed to the 2008 APC Board of Directors and to the VP position for the Whittlesey House Preservation Foundation, and assumed Chair of Building and Grounds.
Elizabeth has a B.A. in Interior Design and is the sole proprietor of Design Diva, her Kitchen and Bath and Interior Design business.  Coupled with her education and experience in Interior Design and construction, Elizabeth secures donations of materials through business contacts for the APC Clubhouse, The Whittlesey House, and volunteers her time and materials to complete tasks around the Club.
Elizabeth’s personal focus for the APC for 2009 includes continuing to solicit donations for aesthetic enhancements to the Clubhouse, working with the WHPF on events to obtain donations for structural improvements, and assisting all APC committees to accomplish goals in the best interests of the APC , namely Professional Development and Membership.

Dave Taggart, Director