Matthew A. Marquez
Matthew Marquez, currently of Rio Communities, NM began his lifelong commitment to public
service after enlisting in the United States Army in 1994. In 1997 Matthew transitioned to the
Army National Guard where he proudly served in multiple military occupational specialties and
eventually retiring as Sergeant First Class after completing 26 years of honorable service.
During his time in the Military, Matthew was called multiple times to critical duty: first from
2001-2002 for airport security activation following the 9/11 attacks, and again from 2004–2006
when deployed to Iraq as an Infantryman providing convoy security; and last, in 2010-2011
Matthew was activated to Kosovo for a NATO led peacekeeping mission where he assisted
civilians connect to local governmental agencies.
Concurrent with his military service, Matthew worked professionally, as a Loss Prevention
Associate for Walmart Corporation. In 2008, Matthew began a federal civil career as a Surface
Area Maintenance Mechanic. Matthew’s public service dedication extends beyond his military
and federal service. From 2017 to 2019, he also served as a State Union Representative with
LiUNA 1776, advocating for the rights of dual-status federal and military personnel.
He married his wife, Monique, in 2010, and together they are the proud parents of two sons and a
daughter. In 2019, Matthew’s family relocated to Rio Communities, in preparation of his
retirement from federal and Military service. Matthew quickly became active in local
government, beginning his first elected term in 2024 as a Rio Communities City Council
Member. During his tenure, Matthew works as a team to develop policies, approve budgets and
pass ordinances that shape the city’s future. In his spare time, Matthew enjoys fishing, trail riding
in the mountains and open spaces and spending time with his young grandson.
Jo Skelton
My name is Jo Skelton, though my friends call me Jody. I am a candidate for the City
Council in Rio Communities, where I have lived for over two decades since purchasing my
home here.
I believe my diverse experiences equip me well to serve the residents of Rio Communities
as a City Councilor. Previously, I worked as a real estate agent in another region of New
Mexico. Additionally, I served as a civil clerk for the Valencia County Sheriff’s Department
before retiring from the District Court in Albuquerque. During my time at the District Court,
I was part of the Special Services Department, where I managed court evidence and
prepared cases for appeals to the Supreme Court.
In Rio Communities, I have been involved as the administrator of the Rio Communities NM
Crime Watch Facebook page, which has more than 1,000 members. This page was
established during a period when our community faced several crimes and lacked its own
police department, relying instead on the Valencia County Sheriff’s Department and State
Police for law enforcement response.
I have consistently participated in city council meetings over the years. If elected, my
priorities as a councilor will include promoting government transparency, enhancing public
safety, encouraging economic growth, supporting community development, and fostering
an environment where residents’ voices are valued and respected.
In short, I am running to be a representative and advocate for the people of Rio
Communities. I would be grateful for your support and your vote.
Thank you,
Jody Skelton
505 307 5011
Stef Scanland
A proud Bosque Farms resident, wife, and mom of three boys. She has
13 years of HR leadership experience across multiple industries, most recently working
in cybersecurity and AI. Stef and her husband also co-own Noah’s Table, a successful
local catering business recognized among Albuquerque’s top five. She is running for
Village Council to bring accountability, fresh energy, and forward-thinking solutions to
strengthen Bosque Farms.
Loedesta (Loedi) Silva
Rio Communities Municipal Judge
Born in Albuquerque and resident of Rio Communities since 1999 where I raised my two
children. Current NM Real Estate Broker and involved with many community projects
and groups over the last 28 years. Being a current member of Belen Planning and
Zoning has povided me with experience, training and understanding of how important
city ordinances are for enforcement and corrective action within the city.
Some of the qualities that I possess will add to my ability to manage the position of
municipal judge.
- Strong communication and people skills while maintaining respect for all
individuals.
- Integrity and strong ethical standards
- Resilient and dedicated.
I made the choice to run in hopes that when I am elected I can provide longevity and
continuity to the position. Procedures, policies, and ordinaces need to be evaluated on
a regular basis to ensure we are working towards the best community. As municipal
court judge I will be committed to working with the city on clear procedures and
policies.
Rio Communities has my heart and I know as a community we can improve our
community if we support each other and look to make the hard decisions the
community needs for future productive growth.
Dana Sanders
a life-long resident of Valencia County. She was raised in Los Chavez where her
parents, Charlie and Phyllis Myers, owned and operated Cattlemen’s L/S Auction. She has been
married to her high school sweetheart Jack, for 42 years. They raised two daughters, JoDee and
Shaylyn who both work in education. Dana has four beautiful grandchildren Jaylee, Gracelyn,
Giana and Kace who attend the Los Lunas Schools. She is an accomplished educator with over 32
years of experience in public education, spending 31 of those years with Los Lunas Schools. Her
diverse career includes roles as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and ultimately, the first
female superintendent of the district, a testament to her leadership and commitment to educational
excellence. Currently, Dana is running for a position on the Los Lunas School Board, aiming to
continue her advocacy for students, educators and staff.
Dana began her journey in education as a teacher at various elementary schools, where she honed
her skills in classroom management, instruction, and community engagement. She then
transitioned to administrative roles, starting as an assistant principal at Daniel Fernandez
Intermediate and later at Los Lunas Middle School, where she became the principal as well.
In 2005, Dana took on the role of Director of Personnel, where she managed recruitment, staff
allocations, and compliance with employment regulations. Her commitment to fostering a
supportive and equitable educational environment was further solidified during her tenure as
Assistant Superintendent for Staff and Student Services, where she oversaw the personnel, safety
and security, athletics and transportation departments.
As Interim Superintendent in 2014 and then as Superintendent from 2015 to 2020, Dana was
responsible for the day-to-day operations of a district serving over 8,500 students and employing
1,100 staff members. She maintained high expectations for performance, navigated complex
challenges, and successfully led the district through its second national accreditation process
Dana holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in education, with
an emphasis in teaching, both from the University of New Mexico. She has pursued continuous
professional development, earned an Administrative License and participated in programs such as
the University of Virginia School Turnaround Program. Her dedication to professional growth is
reflected in her certifications, including being an ATIXA Certified Title IX Investigator.
Throughout her career, Dana has received numerous accolades, including the Personnel
Administrator of the Year from the New Mexico Coalition of School Administrators and
recognition as a "Most Influential Educator" by Los Lunas High School students. Her involvement
in professional organizations, such as the American Association of School Administrators and the
New Mexico School Superintendent’s Association, underscores her commitment to advancing
educational standards and practices.
As she embarks on her campaign for the Los Lunas School Board, Dana Sanders remains a
passionate advocate for students and educators alike. Her extensive experience and unwavering
dedication position her as a key figure in shaping the future of education in her community.