MELISE PEDERSON earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from New Mexico State University in Agricultural Biology with a focus on integrated pest management and entomology. She began her career with the City of Albuquerque Environmental Health Department in 2013 in the Urban Biology Division, conducting zoonotic disease investigations, addressing insect infestations, and performing mosquito surveillance and control. She currently serves as a supervisor in the Consumer Health Protection Division of EHD developing policies and procedures for administrative and inspection staff.

Before taking over the role of president Melise served NMEHA as treasurer for two years and has helped plan the Vector Course for the past decade. She has played a key role in revamping the program and her goals include increasing student involvement and expanding engagement with the private sector.

Outside of work, she enjoys camping, insect collection and curation, gardening, painting, baking, and spending time with her dogs.

ALEC WOODY holds a Culinary Arts degree with a focus on food service management and brings over a decade of experience in the food service industry. He joined the City of Albuquerque Environmental Health Department in 2022 as an Environmental Health Specialist II and now serves as the Environmental Health Supervisor. In this role, he oversees and supports inspection staff in conducting food safety inspections across the city.

Before becoming Vice President, Alec served NMEHA as Secretary and has been instrumental in coordinating the annual Vector Course. In his role with the association he is focused on revitalizing and enhancing the annual food safety conference.

In his free time, Alec enjoys hiking and making ice cream.

KELLSION PLATERO serves as a Board Member of NMEHA and is the Health Protection Manager for Bernalillo County. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and a Master of Science in Food Safety and brings 14 years of experience in the environmental health field.

Throughout his career, Kellison has focused on protecting public health through retail food safety programs, risk-based inspections, and plan review. In his role with NMEHA, he is committed to supporting and strengthening the environmental health workforce across New Mexico while promoting professional development and collaboration within the field.