Our Leadership

Stephon L. Scott, Ed.D., M.P.A., was appointed director of the New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation in 2025. He specializes in Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), anti-harassment, personnel investigations, reasonable accommodation, and alternative dispute resolution.

Dr. Scott is an experienced EEO professional with more than 25 years of federal government experience. He is a subject matter expert in EEO training, workplace disability accommodations, leadership development, and performance management.

He earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration from Trident University International, his master’s degree in Public Administration, and an undergraduate degree in English/Pre-Law from The University of New Mexico. He also earned his Mediation certification from The Justice Center of Atlanta. Dr. Scott is also a proud and thankful United States Army combat veteran.

Rudy Grano provides strategic oversight for the delivery of vocational rehabilitation services, guiding regional operations through Field Operations Directors and the Transition Director. Rudy ensures that programs comply with federal mandates, meet performance benchmarks set by the Rehabilitation Services Administration, and advance the Vocational Rehabilitation State Plan. He is a champion for collaboration, bringing together workforce agencies, educators and community partners to expand employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities across New Mexico.

As the Deputy Director of RSU Statewide Programs, Antoinette oversees all programs throughout New Mexico that serve to support client services. These include budget, data, training, supported employment, benefits advisement, deaf and hard of hearing, case management system, and business outreach.

Antoinette has more than 27 years of experience in the field of Vocational Rehabilitation. In her tenure with NMDVR, she has held multiple positions: VR Secretary, Vocational Rehabilitation Technician, Rehabilitation Counselor, Staff Development Specialist, Training Manager, Field Operations Director, and now Deputy Director.

Antoinette holds Master of Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling, Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management, and Bachelor of Social Work degrees. In addition, she is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and has earned a Rehabilitation Counselor Level III licensure through the New Mexico Public Education Department (PED).

Charles “Alan” Hamlin has been a member of the NMDVR/DDS since 2006. In his time with the DDS, Alan has been a Disability Adjudicator, Disability Adjudicator Specialist, Disability Adjudicator Supervisor, Operations Manager, Manager of Operations, and finally DDS Administrator.

Kendra Karp joined NMDVR in 2021 as the Deputy CIO. She was promoted to the Information Services Unit (ISU) Deputy Director/CIO position in March 2023 and served as Interim Director of the Agency in 2025. Kendra brings more than 25 years of Information Technology (IT) management experience, including 18 years of IT Department oversight spanning the state of New Mexico, workers’ compensation insurance, and manufacturing industries.

Ms. Karp holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Information Technology Management from Western Governors University in Utah, an Associate of Applied Science in Computer Information Systems Information Management from Central New Mexico Community College, and a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute.

David Soveranez brought more than 20 years of finance experience in state government to NMDVR when he joined the agency as Administrative Services Deputy Director in early 2023. Soveranez is responsible for the integration of administrative operations of the entire agency related to financial management, loss control, contracts, fleet management, fixed assets, inventory, grants, and leases. Soveranez works with the leadership of all NMDVR units to develop budgetary goals, objectives, activities, policies, procedures, and resources necessary to support the overall agency mission.

Michelle joined the NMDVR in October of 2019 as Chief Counsel for the Division.  Michelle brings nearly 20 years experience practicing criminal and civil law in both private and public sectors. She has spent over 13 years representing various government agencies including Santa Fe County, the New Mexico Corrections Department, and the New Mexico Public Education Department prior to joining the NMDVR.

Anthony Harkness is the Field Operations Director overseeing operations for the Albuquerque-Lomas, Albuquerque-Research, Albuquerque-South Valley, Los Lunas and Socorro offices. He has a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and 11 years’ experience with NMDVR. His work experience has been based in social services prior to coming to NMDVR. His personal commitment is to community development and enhancing community resources to better support employment placements for the clients that NMDVR serves.

Tina Montoya is the Director of Human Resources at NMDVR. She is responsible for oversight of all HR functions, including job postings, reclassifications, compensation and payroll, recruitment, training, labor relations management, workers’ compensation, alternative dispute resolution practices, progressive discipline, and compliance with state and federal laws and regulations. Montoya manages a staff of eight. Tina earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree—with a concentration in Human Resources—from the University of New Mexico, graduating cum laude. She also holds an associate degree in Business Administration from Santa Fe Community College.

Devin Varela is the Chief Procurement Officer for the New Mexico Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (NMDVR). In this capacity, he leads the agency’s procurement and contract functions for the agency as well as trains staff in administrative procedures, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations. Varela supervises the management of purchases, facility management, leases, fixed assets, fleet management, P-Card administration, and W-9 processing.

Devin Varela graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Business Administration from American Military University in Charles Town, West Virginia. He is a member of the New Mexico Procurement Association.

Jeff Levine has served as the Public Relations Coordinator for the New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation since 2021. He is responsible for all of the agency’s public relations and communications endeavors, including social media, press releases, newsletters, annual reports, event promotion, and story creation. He added legislative relations to his responsibilities in 2024.

Jeff came to state government after many years in higher education media relations and as a journalist, where he won awards for both radio documentary and breaking news coverage. His resume also includes stints with NFL Films, Major League Baseball Productions, and as a member of the team that launched ESPN Radio.