Randy Garay has served as Secretary of the Board of Directors for the Elephant Butte Irrigation District (EBID) since January 2024. He lives in Garfield, New Mexico, and represents Precinct One. A fourth-generation farmer and chile processor, Director Garay operates M.A.& Sons alongside his family—one of the largest processors in New Mexico’s Hatch Valley. The family business is deeply rooted in tradition and hands-on experience, cultivating not only chile but also onions, corn, alfalfa, oats,and pecans. Director Garay brings extensive industry knowledge and a strong work ethic to the EBID Board, grounded in a lifetime of agricultural dedication.

Casey Crist has served on the Board of Directors for the Elephant Butte Irrigation District (EBID) since December 2024. Director Crist lives in Hatch, New Mexico and proudly represents Precinct Two in the District.

Preston S. Tharp has served on the Board of Directors for the Elephant Butte Irrigation District (EBID) since January 2024. Director Tharp represents Precinct Three in the District.

Greg Daviet serves as a dedicated board member of the Elephant Butte Irrigation District (EBID), bringing a deep-rooted commitment to sustainable water management and agricultural prosperity in southern New Mexico. As operations manager of Dixie Ranch, a historic pecan farm near Las Cruces established by his great-grandfather in 1905, Greg has first hand experience with the critical role water plays in agriculture. His leadership is shaped by a practical, farmer-focused perspective on water policy, emphasizing efficiency, innovation, and resilience in the face of drought. Greg advocates for maximizing every drop of water through advanced irrigation techniques, such as laser-leveling fields, replacing ditches with pipelines, and amending soils to enhance water retention. He supports EBID’s mission to deliver reliable surface water to farmers while navigating the challenges of the Rio Grande Project’s agricultural obligation sand regional drought conditions. His policy viewpoints prioritize data-driven decisions, as seen in his endorsement of EBID’s infrastructure upgrades and stormwater capture initiatives to bolster water security. Greg’s experience underscores his belief that sustainable water use is essential for preserving New Mexico’s agricultural heritage and ensuring the viability of crops like pecans, chile, and onions for future generations.

James Sloan has served as a board member of the Elephant Butte Irrigation District (EBID) since January 2024, representing Precinct Five. Director Sloan is a farmer, husband, and father of four. His life stays busy between working the land and raising a family, but it’s a life he’s proud of.

“Farming has taught me the value of hard work, responsibility,
and staying connected to what really matters—faith, family,
and the land.”

Rafael Rovirosa serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Elephant Butte Irrigation District (EBID), representing Precinct Six since January 2024. A resident of La Mesa, New Mexico, Mr. Rovirosa is a fifth-generation farmer with over a decade of leadership at Stahmanns Farms, a renowned 3,200-acre pecan operation with deep roots in the region.

With a forward-looking approach to agriculture, Mr. Rovirosa is committed to long-term sustainability and resilience. He emphasizes the importance of investing in future generations and cultivating crops that can adapt to both prosperous and adverse conditions, ensuring continuity in farming through shifting climates and market demands.

Mr. Rovirosa strongly supports EBID’s mission to deliver reliable surface water to farmers, and is actively engaged in addressing the complex challenges posed by regional drought and the Rio Grande Project’s agricultural obligations.

*Bio Coming Soon*

Prescott K. Colquitt III (PK) comes from a proud lineage of farmers whose roots in agriculture stretch back over 150 years across Lower Arkansas, Texas, and Southern New Mexico. For the past century, his family has cultivated the land in Anthony, New Mexico, with a deep commitment to farming and community. PK was raised in the pecan orchards by his parents, John and Angelina Colquitt, who instilled in him both the knowledge and values of sustainable agriculture. Today, PK continues that legacy, passing on his expertise and passion to his son, Prescott K. Colquitt IV, ensuring the family tradition thrives for generations to come. With a deep understanding of the pecan industry and a strong network of fellow farmers, PK is dedicated to fostering collaboration and resilience within the Mesilla Valley’s agricultural community. He is committed to innovation and growth, and is eager to support the Elephant Butte Irrigation District (EBID) in its mission to ensure a prosperous future for all farmers in the region.

Henry Ludwig has served on the Board of Directors for the Elephant Butte Irrigation District (EBID) since December 2024. Director Ludwig lives in Anthony, New Mexico and represents Precinct Nine in the District. He owns and operates Ludwig Farms. With a background steeped in farming, he brings to the EBID board a wealth of agricultural wisdom and a reputation for reliability and hard work.

Josh Smith is the Manager-Treasurer of the Elephant Butte Irrigation District having filled the position in October of 2024. Prior, he practiced law in Las Cruces for 17 years in the areas of water, business and real estate law and is a partner in the real estate brokerage of Saenz & Smith. A native of southern New Mexico, he grew up on a ranch in the boot heel and graduated from Deming High School. Josh attended NMSU receiving an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business before attending law school at Texas Tech.