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Best County Folk
Jo’l Moore
Best artist
Jo’l Moore, of Rio Communities, began painting while working for the New Mexico Department of Corrections in 2008. While she uses acrylics and oil to create her impressionistic whimsical paintings, she jokes she’s not a very good painter, although readers voted her the Best Artist in Valencia County for 2024.
“I slop the paint on, making it look intentional and it works,” Moore said laughing. “My art is just fun.”
As manager of Books on Becker, just down the street from the Belen Art Gallery, she’s been able to use her artistic talents to create paintings inspired by children’s literature.
“I’m kind of blown away by the two people who voted for me,” she again said jokingly. “I had to reframe what ‘best’ means because I’m not the best. There are other local artists who are far more superior than me ... but I’m grateful for the honor.”
David C. Chavez
Best attorney
651 N.M. 314 SW, Los Lunas
505-865-9696
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David C. Chavez has been serving New Mexicans for more than 40 years as a personal injury attorney.
He said he is passionate about providing personal, individual service and being the voice for injured parties and their families.
“It’s such a blessing to be recognized by the community for the work we do in the legal community for our clients. They are our family,” Chavez said. “They live and work in Valencia County and we’re so blessed and honored that we’re able to represent local because we’re as local as red and green.”
Randy’s Electric
Best contractor
Best electrician
3539 NM 47, Peralta
505-865-7773
“It’s pretty great,” said Randy Smith, owner of Randy’s Electric Company, about capturing two awards this year — Best Contractor and Best Electrician.
“It’s our people in the field who are actually doing the work that makes the reputation” for Smith’s family-owned business.
You will find Randy’s Electric all over Valencia County.
“We’re doing residential, commercial and industrial — both residential service and commercial service work.” Smith adds. “We try to make sure our employees have good benefits and wages” to give them a vested interest in the company.
Dr. Roland Sanchez
Best Dentist
Conquistador Dental
704 Christopher Road, Belen
505-864-7000
Staying updated on new innovations “to not only maintain patient care but be proactive in preventative care,” is critical, said Dr. Roland Sanchez, who said he has a “powerful team.”
Sanchez has once again been voted Best Dentist in Valencia County.
Sanchez’ practice, Conquistador Dental in Belen, has expanded to include cosmetics to face rejuvenation, allowing “patients to complete the whole cycle” in one location.
Toni Armijo
Best Educator
In her 23rd year of teaching, Toni Armijo is a seventh grade English teacher at Belen Middle School. She has worked as a teacher, academic coach and dean of students during her more than two decades in education.
“I’m honored, but honestly I was working with some of the best teachers. I’m a better teacher because of what I’ve learned from them and grown with so many amazing teachers in my career,” Armijo said. “I’ve had the privilege to be around a lot of great educators, and I absolutely love my Belen Middle School students. I honestly couldn’t ask for a better school.”
Tanyia Montoya
Best principal
Tanyia Montoya has been the principal at Belen Middle School for four years, after serving for more than two decades as a middle and high school teacher, principal and assistant principal.
“I feel like so many others are a part of this. I couldn’t do what I do here with all the people here — from the educational assistants to the teachers, the cafeteria workers and custodians,” Montoya said. “I am so blessed to work with the best people and I am only able to be what I need to be because of them.”
Pavlos Panagopolous
Best Financial Advisor
511 W. Reinken Ave., Belen
505-828-4068
As Best Financial Advisor, Pavlos Panagopolous, owner of Cetera Advisors, says he couldn’t do it without his “amazing team.” Headquartered in Belen, with offices in Albuquerque, Panagopolous says they “support many wonderful organizations” throughout the county.
“We are always available to answer questions, process requests, and meet with (clients) regarding their unique set of investment goals, needs and concerns.”
Rio Communities Fire Chief Andrew Tabet
Best Firefighter
Andrew Tabet was appointed fire chief at the Rio Grande Estates Fire Department in April 2022. Since then, the department has been renamed the Rio Communities Fire Department.
Tabet has been a firefighter since 2006, starting as a volunteer at the Abeytas Fire Department and then at Belen. After taking a few years off to tend to his family, he became a volunteer at Rio Grande Estates Fire Department in 2016.
Tabet has been credited for transitioning the department from an all-volunteer department to a hybrid department, where a total of 10 paid fire department employees have been hired, providing medical and fire coverage to the district. The department also has 18 dedicated volunteers.”
“For me, its humbling because its a testament to my command staff to better serve the community,” Tabet said of the honor. “I just want to tell the community ‘thank you’ for having the confidence in me and for their trust.”
Greg Henington
Best High School Coach
Los Lunas High School head football coach Greg Henington led the Tigers to the playoffs the last four years, winning the 5A 2021 state championship.
“You must be willing to sacrifice in-season, seven days a week,” Henington said of the commitment.
Henington, who was voted Best High School Coach, enjoys teaching the players and “see them apply that and be successful on the field.”
Selina Zamora
Best Insurance Agent
511 W. Reinken Ave., Belen
505-828-4068
The mission at Panagopoulos Insurance Agency is simple, according to Selina Zamora, who was voted Best Insurance Agent.
“Provide clear, reliable advice and help you make informed decisions that protect your future,” said Zamora, who is “beyond thrilled” to win the honor.
Zamora says they offer a range of coverage options that fits every family’s needs.
Daniel Solis
Best Musician or Band
Daniel Solis, who was voted as Valencia County’s Best Musician or Band, started playing music as a youngster growing up in northern New Mexico. He credits his grandfather, Marcelino Herrera, and older brother, Dominico, for teaching him how to play guitar and sharing the passion for New Mexican music.
Along with being the front man for The Daniel Solis Band, he is a woodshop teacher at Belen Middle School and is married to wife, Natalie, and has three children.
“Thank you so much to everyone who voted me Best Musician or Band of Valencia County! I’m truly humbled and blessed by your support,” Solis said. “As always, I am a huge supporter of local musicians and talents, and I’m extremely thankful to be selected in this category.
“Us musicians work hard to share our talent and our love of music, so this is truly an honor. Looking ahead to the upcoming year, I’m excited to collaborate with many talented New Mexico artists and continue creating new original music. Be on the lookout for new tracks and music video productions too! There’s a lot more to come! Your support means the world to me so again, thank you so much for this honor!”
Hessinger’s Plumbing, Heating and Cooling
Best Plumber
505-864-3149
“We say what we’re going to do, then we do it,” says Kris Hessinger, owner of Hessinger’s Plumbing, Heating and Cooling. “We have a lot of pride in our work.”
Hessinger credits his employees, family and community.
“We want to give them the best service and take care of their needs.”
Jennifer Tafoya Trujillo
Best primary care provider
101 N. Sixth St., Belen
505-317-7773
After 19 years as a physician’s assistant working for someone else, Jennifer Tafoya Trujillo, along with her business partner and fellow practitioner, Cassandra Otero, opened Valencia Health and Wellness in Belen in January 2020.
Trujillo, this year’s Best Primary Care Provider, said she went into medicine in order to serve the community she grew up in.
“There is no place in this world that I would rather work or live in than Valencia County, and I am deeply appreciative to my patients, staff and family for their ever present support,” Trujillo said. “Practicing medicine is very challenging, but practicing in my own community grounds me and fills me with so many blessings.”
Mark Gurule
Best police officer
While it came as a shock, Bosque Farms Police Detective Mark Gurule said it’s an honor to have won Best Police Officer.
Gurule got his start as a police officer at Los Lunas Police Department, where he worked for 13 years before moving to BFPD a couple of years ago.
“There’s several people who have helped me throughout the years to get to this point. I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for them,” said Gurule. “(Police work) has its ups and downs, but dealing with people on good days is probably my favorite part, and also the people I work with.”
Nancy Montoya
Best real estate agent
2601 Main St., NW, Los Lunas
505-865-3381
Nancy Montoya, of Century 21 Real Estate in Los Lunas, has been selected at Best Real Estate Agent for the ninth straight year.
“This award is a reflection of the relationships I’ve built and the incredible people I’ve had the privilege to serve,” Montoya said.
Montoya is “motivated to keep delivering the best possible service,” while providing “guidance, expertise and solutions,” to her clients.
Montoya, who has nearly 50 years of experience in real estate, opened Valencia County’s only Century 21 franchise in 1981 with her husband, Joe.
Orlando Sedillo
Best Tattoo Artist
231 Sandoval Road, Ste. A, Los Lunas
505-203-5940
It’s called 2nd Chances for a reason.
“I do a lot of cover-ups,” said tattoo artist Orlando Sedillo, who enjoys when clients “get something that they hate covered up with something they love.”
Sedillo, voted as Best Tattoo Artist, does “everything from watercolor to portrait work” in a studio that is “quiet, more like a home.”
Dr. Patrick Sanchez
Best veterinarian
419 Main St. SW, Los Lunas
505-866-1852
Animal Hospital of Los Lunas offers a wide range of veterinary services for pets such as wellness and vaccinations, diagnosing and treating health conditions, dental care and oral surgery, ultrasound and end-of-life care.
“I am truly humbled and honored to receive this recognition. This achievement is a testament to the trust our clients place in us and the passion my team brings to caring for every patient that walks through our doors,” said Patrick H. Sanchez, DVM, the owner of and veterinarian at Animal Hospital of Los Lunas. “Thank you for your support — it inspires us to continue delivering the highest level of care for pets and families in Valencia County.”
