Board Members
Bruce Langston, President
Bruce Langston served as the President of “Amigos Del Norte” Chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens, sits on the board of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference New Mexico, and is the President and Director of the Academy of Enhanced Training. Bruce is well-versed in the use of parliamentary procedures and committee chairmanship. Coming from the criminal justice world, he has served as a Chief Compliance and Regulation Officer, a Warden, Director of Operations and Programming, and Superintendent for the State of New Mexico. Bruce provides key insight into the managerial oversight of multi-component, yet interconnected operations. Being a Superintendent has also provided Mr. Langston with vast experience in dealing with youth who have special needs and challenges. Bruce Langston served as President of the 2014 Charter School Board of the Year.
Pam Kissoondyal, Vice President
Pam enjoys her job as a Family Engagement Coordinator - working with families who have children with special needs, including deaf/blindness. Pam partners with agencies and professionals in related fields. She has presented on a variety of disability related topics at local, regional, state, national and international conferences including keynotes. As a collaborative partner with other deaf/blind programs, Pam serves as a mentor and facilitator on several activities to enrich and to enhance family engagement, and build family leadership. Her first-hand experience of parenting a child with special needs makes an easy transition into the shoes of a sympathetic and empathetic guide, to help parents navigate complex and stressful situations. Familiarity and experience with multiple community programs and organizations for families with special needs children is an added bonus when working with families. She has over 20 years of experience and continues her education by attending conferences, webinars on topics with family centered/partnership approach. She has received training in the INSITE, SKI-HI and VIISA models and is a Florida Partners and Policy Making Graduate. Pam is also a Certified Infant Massage Teacher, Certified Life Coach and Certified Canfield Success Principle trainer. She is the current chair for the Center for Autism and Related Disability at the University of FL. She serves as a volunteer consultant for Margika, a non-profit in India.
Liza Knight
Liza Knight has been an educator for over twenty-five years. She holds degrees in Elementary Education with a minor in Special Education, Electronics Technology, Systems Administration, and a certificate in Photonics Technology. She has worked with learners from preschool through sixth grade in a variety of teaching environments, including Headstart, elementary education, and computer education. She has been awarded a Sam’s Club Teacher of the Year Award and several Who’s Who Among American Teachers awards (initiated by students who believed Ms. Knight was the one teacher who made a difference in their K-12 education). She has also received awards of excellence from Central New Mexico Community College for Women in Technology. She holds a strong conviction that all students can learn, and an effective teacher is a critical factor in student learning.
Jennifer Gabaldon
Jennifer serves her community by sitting on various boards and committees such as Business Professionals of America, New Mexico Make-a-Wish - Women’s Circle of Wishes and Mission Achievement and Success Charter School. Jennifer has been with the New Mexico Society of CPAs as their VP of Operations and Membership since September of 2021. Prior to the Society Jennifer has 17 years of experience in Hospitality and Tourism. Outside of work, Jennifer loves spending quality time with her husband, three sons and family. If she is not participating in sporting events with her boys you will find her enjoying time in her backyard, camping or fishing.
Jeanette Contreras, Treasurer
Jeanette Contreras is a native New Mexican who is a proud graduate of Rio Grande High School,
GO RAVENS!! Jeanette graduated in 2012 from the University of Phoenix with a Bachelor’s
Degree in Business Management. Jeanette and her husband Anthony are the proud parents of two
children, a daughter Jayla (13) and a son Jude (8).
Prior to her current role as the President and CEO of the New Mexico Society of CPA’s
(NMSCPA), Jeanette served as the Executive Director of the New Mexico Public Accountancy
Board (NMPAB) for the State of New Mexico (2014 – 2021).
Along with her work and family responsibilities, Jeanette volunteers her time to serve on a few
boards and committees in the community:
DECA New Mexico – Member Board of Director’s (2022 – Present)
New Mexico Society of Association Executives (NMSAE) – Member Board of
Director’s (2023 – Present)
Mission Achievement and Success Charter School (MAS) - Governing Board (2023 –
Present)
Make-A-Wish New Mexico: Women’s Circle of Wishes – Committee Member (2021 –
Present)