Press Release

Deming-Luna County Chamber of Commerce seeks assistance in promoting leadership for area business people.

According to Mr. George Pintar, Executive Director of Deming-Luna County Chamber of Commerce, leadership development is an area that needs improvement in the Deming business community. Mr. Pintar needed help in developing a leadership package for Deming business owners that would be used and not just collect dust on a shelf. Mr. Pintar solicited the expert help of Wilma Tillman Durio, business student at NMSU. Tillman Durio will graduate with honors in May 2000, with a Bachelor of Science Management Leadership degree.

It involved no cost to the Chamber other than the time it took for Mr. Pintar to brief Tillman Durio about the business. The Chamber is among dozens of businesses in southern New Mexico and west Texas that are dipping into a deep well of business knowledge available free - advanced business students at NMSU are eager to apply their knowledge.

NMSU has a well-established program for students nearing the end of their business studies to acquire hands-on real-world experience with struggling businesses. The students bring education that spans the full spectrum of the College of Business Administration and Economics. They work under the direction of business professors who guide the students' progress, offer advice and step in when necessary.

During the past two semesters, NMSU professor David Boje, a former small business owner, who teaches the Small Business Consulting class has improved and expanded the course to be capable of providing consulting to 20-25 businesses per semester. This consulting is completely free to area businesses.

Businesses can contact Dr. David Boje at NMSU's College of Business Administration and Economics, Department of Management, (505) 646-1201,by e-mail at dboje@nmsu.edu, or his web page http://cbae,nmsu.edu/

~dboje, to get more information on the Small Business Consulting course. Inquire now for consulting during the Fall 2000 semster.

Both NMSU and Dona Ana Branch Community College offer course work and seminars that will greatly enhance leadership development for the Deming area businesses. Tillman Durio has surveyed Deming business owners to determine the most feasible forum for leadership development and based on this information will make recommendations to Mr. Pintar.