FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: November 11, 2021
Contact: Danielle Casey, AED, dcasey@abq.org, 602-332-8511
Kristen Gamboa Named Rising Star Award Recipient by AED
Awards Program Recognizes Leadership in Economic Development
Albuquerque, NM – Albuquerque Economic Development, Inc. announced Kristen Gamboa, Senior Economic Developer for the Village of Los Lunas, as the Rising Star Award recipient for the third annual 505 Awards, which recognize organizations and individuals that are making exceptional contributions to economic growth and prosperity in the Albuquerque metro area, resulting in improvements to the region’s overall economic strength.
The Rising Star Award, sponsored by Deloitte, recognizes an emerging leader who is contributing to economic development programs, projects and activities in a significant manner that leads to increasing investment in the community and job creation.
“More than deserving of the title of a rising star, Kristen Gamboa has demonstrated a commitment to economic development and bringing in companies to do business in the greater Albuquerque area,” said Danielle Casey, AED President & CEO. “We thank Kristen for her hard work and dedication, and congratulate her on her continued accomplishments.”
“Being able to actively work on economic development projects within my community is really a dream a come true. It took me a while to find a career path that really combines all my skills and interests, and I am so grateful to be accepted into this community of brilliant and creative New Mexico economic developers, business owners, community counterparts and stakeholders,” Gamboa said. “A special thank you goes out to the New Mexico Partnership for first getting me started on this career path and a very special thank you goes out to my Community Development team at the Village of Los Lunas for putting up with my millions of questions and for accepting me as part of the hardest working team in New Mexico making projects happen in our vibrant Los Lunas community of 17,000 people strong. I’ve only been at this role coming up on a year so thank you for this nomination and the award. I guess this means the stakes have been raised and now I have to accomplish bigger and better next year- challenge accepted!”
Honorees were selected from nominations that took place in the summer. Nominations were open from any source, and to be considered, nominees were required to accept their nominations and provide follow-up documentation of their work.
Gamboa, along with the remaining 505 Awards honorees, will be recognized at the inaugural celebration from 6–9pm on December 9 at Hotel Albuquerque. The event, sponsored by True Health New Mexico, will combine AED’s annual business meeting, a year in review presentation, a look ahead to the future, and the 505 Awards celebration.
To attend the 2021 Inaugural Annual Dinner, where honorees will be recognized, or for more information on awards categories, eligibility requirements or judging criteria, visit https://www.abq.org/2021dinner/.
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About AED
AED is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to recruit business and industry, help local companies grow and generate quality job opportunities throughout the Albuquerque metro area. AED provides confidential assistance to businesses considering the area for expansion and new investment. Since its creation in 1960, AED has recruited more than 250 companies and more than 35,000 jobs to the Albuquerque metro area. AED also provides retention and expansion assistance to existing industry. For more information about AED, visit www.abq.org.
About The 505 Awards
The Leadership in Economic Development Awards recognizes individuals and organizations that are making exceptional contributions to economic growth and prosperity.