Janel Ryan new president of NMAA board

Tri-City Tribune

It is the organization that oversees the operation of interscholastic activities and athletics in the New Mexico School system, and Farmington Schools’ Superintendent Janel Ryan is the new leader of the New Mexico Activities Association Board.

Ryan was voted in as president of the board on March 27, replacing Artesia Superintendent Mike Phipps, who has served as president since 2006, but is retiring. Quemado Superintendent Bill Green of Quemado was elected to serve as vice president.

The NMAA board serves as the policy-making body of the association, adopting the philosophy and vision of the association by setting its annual goals.

Janel Ryan

 The board approves and oversees the fiscal operations of the NMAA. It exercises leadership primarily though the formulation and adoption of policies. Being president of this board is similar to serving as a school board president, according to Ryan. “You meet with the president or CEO – Gary Tripp. We set up agendas and meetings. We provide guidance to other board members. … As the president I also set the agenda for the retreat,” she said, adding that the NMAA follows the rules of the Open Meetings Act.

When preparing agendas and discussion topics, Ryan said she takes into consideration the many committees that fall under the umbrella of the NMAA. Those include a coaches association and an activities directors association.

The board itself is made up of representatives from different school regions. Ryan represents the Four Corners area and was elected to serve on the board by the activities directors from Gallup, Dulce, Bloomfield, Aztec, Central, Navajo Prep and Farmington schools.

As president she said she will follow the NMAA motto of “Victory with honor,” while doing what is right for the children of New Mexico – “teaching kids good citizenship, winning or losing,” Ryan said. These children are competing in everything from drama to intramural sports to choir and band and they represent the entire state.

“What do we do that best enables kids to compete but to also learn from that competition – those are the things – the rules and the mission – that we try to keep going. Is it good for kids? What are we going to do about it?” Ryan said.

Ryan’s first meeting as president of the NMAA board will be June 7.