Meet the People that give their time on behalf of the Neighborhood Association;

President Mark Emery, A Resident of New Mexico since 1959, and the Sandia Knolls since 1997, I have watched the Albuquerque and East Mountain area transform over the years. I grew up in Albuquerque until 1967 when my Dad started moving us around the state as he was transferred between Social Security Administration offices. Because of those moves, I know most of the state pretty well. I graduated from Clovis High School, then Eastern New Mexico University with a degree in Psychology and Sociology. I moved back to Albuquerque in 1975 and worked for a large wholesale distribution company for years in sales then into operations management. After leaving that company I fell into the computer support business by accident eventually starting my own business.

I have always believed in knowing and interacting with my neighbors, I don't believe in not knowing who lives next door to you. I started attending the SKNA meetings as soon as I moved to the Knolls and eventually started the SKNA website as a way to make the issues of the Knolls residents easier to keep up with. I welcome any suggestions that any of the residents have to offer. Please contact me at any time President@sandiaknolls.com or give me a call 281-0601.

Vice President Kathy McCoy, I was raised in New Jersey, but because my mother’s family lived in New Mexico, I spent a lot of time here as a child.  My grandmother—a nurse—emigrated from Canada to New Mexico in 1896 to treat TB patients.  My grandfather was a Circuit Judge who traveled New Mexico hearing cases. 

I moved from New Jersey to New Mexico permanently in 1977 after a “perfect storm” of events:  a divorce, no sun for almost a month, and gambling was coming to Atlantic City.  I established a career in advertising sales, and traveled New Mexico and Southern Colorado for way too many years.  My new husband decided I should pursue the college degree I’d always wanted, so I graduated from UNM at the ripe old age of 44. 

We moved from Albuquerque to Sandia Knolls in 1992, and before our house even closed, we learned of a water problem in the Knolls—some things never change!  I gradually got more involved in East Mountain growth issues and co-founded The East Mountain Legal Defense Fund to address them.  We endured for a decade arguing for appropriate land use here.  During this time, I also helped revive the Sandia Knolls Neighborhood Association which had been somewhat neglected.

Over the years, I’ve grown to love the East Mountains more than anywhere I’ve lived.  And the vast majority of people who live here are here for the same reason I am—we have the best of both worlds.  We have stunning mountains, forests, wildlife, and open spaces, but in minutes, we can find anything we want in the city.

In 2004, I was elected State Representative for District 22 which includes the East Mountains, Edgewood, Sandia Heights, and Placitas.  I can think of no better way to further my commitment to this area and our state.

Secretary Denise Turner is assistant principal/second bassoon with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, principal bassoon with the Chamber Orchestra of Albuquerque, and a member of the faculty at the University of New Mexico where she teaches bassoon and performs with the artist-in-residence woodwind quintet, the "New Mexico Winds". She also performs with the contemporary chamber music ensemble "Chatter" and with the baroque chamber orchestra "Orchestra of the Duke" on baroque bassoon.

Ms. Turner has performed orchestral, opera and chamber music throughout the western United States, Mexico and Italy. In addition to being a founding member of the New Mexico Woodwind Quintet, Ms. Turner has performed with the Santa Fe Opera, Santa Fe Symphony, Santa Fe Pro Musica, Santa Fe Desert Chorale, Santa Fe Festival Ballet, Music de Camera Orchestra, San Juan Symphony, Amarillo Symphony, Rome Music Festival and Opera, Animas Music Festival, and as a soloist on the Placitas Artists Series, St. John's Cathedral Series, and with the Chamber Orchestra of Albuquerque.

Originally from Chicago, Ms. Turner studied with Wilbur Simpson of the CSO and Adelle Brown of the Lyric Opera of Chicago. She continued her studies with Betty Johnson at the University of Oklahoma and Artemus Edwards at the University of New Mexico.

Ms. Turner is a fitness instructor for NM Sports and Wellness, as well as an avid skier. She has lived in the Knolls for 10 years with her husband Bill and their two cats.

Treasurer Sue Neustel

Website created and Maintained by Mark Emery Consulting