Our Leadership

Casey Stone-Romero returned to NMDVR in early 2022 as Director. She previously worked in the division from 1997 to 2014, beginning as a Receptionist and Secretary and quickly earning promotions to Training Specialist, Vocational Rehabilitation Technician, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, and finally, Staff Development specialist.

In addition to her time with NMDVR, Stone-Romero’s professional experience also includes Community Inclusion Manager and Statewide Supported Employment lead for the New Mexico Department of Health’s Developmental Disabilities Supports Division, Human Resources Analyst in the state’s General Services Department, and Training and Development Specialist in the State Personnel Office.

Nash Sisneros is the Rehabilitation Services Unit (RSU) Deputy Director at the New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Ms. Sisneros oversees NMDVR’s programmatic operations and data and fiscal operations for RSU statewide. She has served people with disabilities for more than 32 years—22 of those with NMDVR. Her professional rehabilitation roles have included experience as Field Operations Director, Program Manager, and Rehabilitation Counselor with the division. Ms. Sisneros has also been a transition specialist in her role as a counselor for the agency.

Nash has always enjoyed working with people with disabilities and strives to ensure she’s well equipped to assist those individuals with the most recent resources, current knowledge, and best tools available. She continues to work diligently to promote the expansion of the Transition Unit in NMDVR. This specialized unit devotes 100% of its time to service Youth with Disability in New Mexico schools by providing pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS).

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.

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.

Mario Lucero currently serves as the Field Operations Director for the Northeast, North Central and Southeast regions of New Mexico, which includes Areas 1, 4, and 9. He oversees the field operations in the Las Vegas, Taos, Santa Fe, Espanola, Roswell, Clovis, Hobbs, and Carlsbad offices. He also oversees the benefits advisement unit in NMDVR.

Mario has been with the division for more than 15 years and has served in various capacities throughout his tenure. Mario’s passion is helping individuals with disabilities to improve their lives of through vocational guidance & counseling, advocacy, and leadership.

Rudy Grano is a Field Operations Director for Areas 2, 3 and 6. He oversees the NMDVR operations for the Rio Rancho, Gallup, Quail (ABQ), Farmington, Las Cruces, Silver City and Alamogordo offices. Rudy has earned a Master of Forensic Science and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Management and Leadership. He possesses multiple project management certifications, which include Scrum Fundamentals, Six Sigma yellow belt, Project Management Professional (PMP), and finally, Project Management Institute-Agile Certified Practitioner.

Antoinette Holmes is the Field Operations Director for Areas 5 and 7, based out of the Lomas NMDVR office in Albuquerque, NM. She oversees the NMDVR operations for the Lomas, Mountain, Gibson, Edgewood, Los Lunas, and Socorro offices. Antoinette has 18+ years with NMDVR and has held multiple positions throughout her tenure with the division. She has earned a Master of Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling, a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management, and a Bachelor of Social Work. In addition, she is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and has earned a Rehabilitation Counselor Level III licensure through the NM Public Education Department (PED).

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.

Kendra Karp joined NMDVR in 2021 as the Deputy Chief Information Officer (CIO). She was promoted to the Information Services Unit (ISU) Deputy Director/CIO position in March 2023. Kendra brings 25 years of Information Technology (IT) management experience, including 15 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.

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 efforts, including social media, press releases, annual reports, event promotion, and story creation. 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.