PRESIDENT
Jim French, French Brothers Homes
Jim French is the Vice President / Purchasing for French Brothers Homes. A lifelong resident of Alamogordo, Jim started in residential home building in 1978. He served as the President of the Building Contractors Association of Otero County in 2006 and was a member of the 2005 NMHBA Board of Directors.
Jim has always been active in the community, serving in many capacities. He supported his kids as their Little League baseball coach and was very active in the high school Sports Boosters Club. Board directorships include the Chamber of Commerce, Committee of Fifty and MainGate United. He also served on the Alamogordo School Board for 8 years. His passions are spending time with his wife Robin, 4 children and 4 grandkids, golf, flying, and home building.
DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT: The President is the Chief Officer of the Association and presides at its meetings and those of the Board of Directors. Between meetings the President has the authority to represent the Association and act in its name, subject only to its declared policies. The President appoints all committees and performs all other duties usual to such office. The President’s term of office is for one year, after the President has usually served one year each as Secretary-Treasurer and 1st Vice President/President-Elect.
1st VICE PRESIDENT / 2027 Presindent Elect
Joshua Shultz, Zachary & Sons Homes
Josh Shultz is the Vice President of Zachary & Sons Homes and is tasked with the day-to-day operations. From coordinating with sub-contractors, vendors, architects, and homeowners, Josh is involved on every level of the company and home building process. Josh has a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban and Environmental Planning from Arizona State University, graduating in 2011. The family structure of Zachary and Sons is integral to Josh and the company. Approaching each project as a family has allowed them to train and be successful in completing luxury custom homes. Josh loves spending time with his family, hiking in the mountains, and skiing at Ski Santa Fe in the winter.
DUTIES OF THE 1st VP/PRESIDENT-ELECT: The 1st VP/President-Elect performs the duties of the President in the President’s absence, and any other duties as prescribed by the President. The 1st VP/President-Elect serves on the Board of Directors. The First Vice President usually becomes the President the following year.
SECRETARY / TREASURER
JP Rael, Westway Homes
JP Rael is the Vice President of Operations and Sales Manager at Westway Homes. With more than 30 years of sales and leadership experience—spanning the ski industry, medical sales, and real estate—and over 20 years dedicated to new home construction, JP Rael brings deep industry expertise and operational insight to his role. At Westway Homes, he leads strategic growth, emphasizes quality craftsmanship, and champions energy-efficient building through initiatives like the Eco Series.
An alumnus of the University of California, Los Angeles, JP has served on the HBA of CNM Board of Directors for six years and currently is their 2025 President. He believes in building not just homes, but relationships and community.
Outside of work, JP enjoys coaching basketball. Family is at the heart of everything JP does. Teresa, his wife of 33 years, and their daughter Ryann are his greatest sources of inspiration and support, reminding him daily of the purpose behind his work and the importance of building lasting legacies.
DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY-TREASURER: The Secretary-Treasurer is responsible for overseeing the keeping of written record of all of the official proceedings of the Association. The Secretary-Treasurer has general charge of the financial affairs of the Association and renders a periodic financial statement to the Board of Directors as required. The Secretary-Treasurer succeeds the 1st VP/President-Elect and eventually the President.
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT
Diana Lucero – Century Bank
Diana Lucero is Senior VP / Construction Loan Specialist. Currently serving as the NMHBA Associate V.P., she is also a member of the Government Affairs Committee and the Finance Committee. Diana is active with her Local – HBA of Central New Mexico – currently serving on their Board of Directors as Advisory Board Member. She is also on the Golf Committee, Parade of Homes Committee, and the Bowling Fundraising Committee. She is very involved at the National level. She is the NM State Rep, Past National Associate Chair (NAC), Past Associate Committee Chair/Executive Committee Member, Past NAHBR Business Associates Chair, Past Remodelers Council Trustee, sat on the CGB Board of Governors and sits on the NAHB’s Board of Directors (Life Director), Leadership Council, Conventions & Meetings Committee, Membership Committee and NAHB BUILD-PAC Board of Trustees.
She has earned Certified Aging in Place Specialist, Certified Green Professional and Certified Graduate Associate designations through NAHB.
Diana sits on the Board of the NM Mortgage Lenders Association and the CNM Accounting and Finance Advisory Committee. She continues to be active and participates in many community events and loves spending time with her grandchildren.
DUTIES OF THE ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT: The Associate Vice President represents the interests of the Associate members. The Associate Vice President serves on the Board of Directors.
PAST PRESIDENT
Jenice Eades, Pulte Homes
Jenice Montoya-Eades is Director of Procurement at the Pulte Group and is a tenth-generation native New Mexican. She graduated from UNM’s Anderson School of Business and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management.
Jenice has been a GB-98 since 2001. Over the course of her 25-year career, she has worked with and for Local, Custom and National Builders in the Albuquerque Metro Area. She has held many different positions within her Home Building career spanning from accounting to General Manager and VP of Construction. Jenice keenly understands Residential construction needs from all angles of the industry.
Jenice was a keynote speaker for Quality Assurance in Home Building at the International Builders Show (2007) and an active member of the HBA of Central New Mexico for many years. Jenice currently serves the HBA of Central New Mexico in the capacity of President and actively supports the UNM Student Chapter, Lobo Builders.
2026 Board of Directors
Jim French, President, French Brothers Homes
Jenice Eades, Past President, Pulte Homes
Josh Shultz,, 1st VP/Pres.-Elect, Zachary & Sons Homes
Diana Lucero, Associate VP, Century Bank
JP Rael, Secretary-Treasurer, Westway Homes
Vacant, Finance Committee Chair
Mackenzie Bishop, Government Affairs Committee Chair, Abrazo Homes
Steve Hale, Building Issues Committee Chair, Hale & Son Construction, Inc.
Scott Ashcraft, Past President, Las Ventanas NM
Brandon Snoy, Past President, Palo Santo Designs
Jake Boles, Associate At-Large, French Brothers Homes
Tom Berrington, Builder Member, French Brithers
Mike Buechter, Lincoln County HBA Rep, Alto Mesa Builders
2025 NMHBA Staff
CEO / EVP
Miles D. Conway
miles@nmhba.org
505-455-2853
DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
Melanie Lawton
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND OPERATIONS
Ashley Garret