News from the Mescalero Apache Tribe.
MESCALERO, New Mexico --
The
Mescalero Apache Tribe announces the resignation of Arthur "Butch" Blazer as President for health reasons, effective at close of business tomorrow, October 4.
"I am resigning tomorrow due to my health. I expect a full recovery, but unfortunately, cannot give my full
attention to the presidency at this point," Blazer stated.
Blazer's term would have gone through January 10, 2020, but for his resignation.
"I am very honored to have served my people as president for the last two years," Blazer stated. "I am happy to have accomplished some very important goals during my term, including spearheading the effort to include a number of Native
American provisions in the recently passed U.S. Farm Bill that will help all of Indian Country."
"I worked alongside some great individuals," Blazer concluded. "I wish the tribe the best of luck and I will always support the tribe whether or not I am in tribal government,"
Prior to serving as President, Blazer spent almost his entire professional career as a public
servant. Butch graduated from New Mexico State University ('75) with a Bachelor of Science
Degree in Range Science and worked with various federal, tribal, and state entities, as well as
numerous non-profit organizations, in executive management and leadership positions.
Prior to his retirement from federal service in May of 2016, Blazer served as U.S. Deputy Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and the Environment within USDA. His federal career spanned 32 years. Prior to his USDA appointment by President Obama, he served as the first ever Native American State Forester, working for former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.
Pursuant to the Mescalero Apache Tribal Constitution, Vice President Robert
"Gabe" Aguilar will assume the role of President and will be sworn in tomorrow.
"I would like to thank Butch for all his hard work and dedication over the past two years," . Aguilar stated. "It has been a pleasure to serve with Butch. I am very humbled by the great responsibility that I am assuming and 1 will dedicate my total effort to my tribe during my term. On behalf of the tribal council, we wish him well in his future endeavors and thank him for his service."
Aguilar was elected as councilman in January 2012. He was then elected
as Vice President in November of 2013 and his term began in January of 2014. He was re-elected in 2015 and 2017.
Aguilar served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2001 to 2005 and the U.S. Army Reserves from 2006 to 2012. Mr. Aguilar also completed two tours of duty in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
Aguilar graduated from Mescalero High School and worked in various capacities for the tribe before pursuing a career in politics. He is the son of Faustino and Harriet Aguilar.
In addition to assuming Blazer's role as President, Aguilar will also serve as the
Chief Executive Officer of the
Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino, the tribe's hospitality enterprise that includes Ski Apache, and as Chairman of the Board of
Mescalero Apache Telecom, the tribe's telecommunication venture.
Mescalero Apache Tribe - 2019 Primary Election Results
Results of an October 1, 2019, primary election show Gabe Aguilar and Mark R. Chino as the candidates with the most votes for the position of president of the Mescalero Apache Tribe.
Aguilar is the current vice president and will assume the duties of president following the resignation of Arthur "Butch" Blazer, who was not seeking re-election.
Chino is a former president of the tribe. He will face off against Aguilar in a general election next month.
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