Member Spotlight: Lance A. Pyle
Tell us about your career.
I started my career with Curry County, New Mexico as a high school student employee. After graduating from Melrose High School, I continued to work full-time for Curry County and earned an associate’s degree in business administration from Clovis Community College and a bachelor’s degree in business Administration from Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU).
I was appointed to the Melrose City Council in July 2004 and upon graduation from ENMU in 2005, I was appointed Curry County’s Indigent Administrator, Personnel Director and Assistant County Manager. I also felt the need to represent and serve the citizens of the Village of Melrose, NM, so I ran for Mayor of Melrose and was elected in March 2006. With over 90% of the vote, I became the youngest mayor in the State of New Mexico at the time. During my tenure as mayor, the Curry County Board of County Commissioners asked me to step in as Interim County Manager, when the county’s top executive position became open in 2007. Two months later, I became the permanent county manager, the position I hold today. During this time, I continued to serve as the Mayor of Melrose until the end of my four year term.
I was appointed by Governor Lujan Grisham and unanimously confirmed by the New Mexico Senate on March 2, 2019, to serve as a Regent for Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) through December 31, 2024. I was reappointed by the Governor for a second six-year term and unanimously confirmed by the New Mexico State Senate on February 26, 2025. I am now a past President of the ENMU Board of Regents.
What are some of your current or notable achievements or projects?
During my tenure, my strong team and I have completed a grand total of $72,667,945 major construction and renovation projects through grants and other funding sources while growing the County’s general fund reserve balance.
Curry County Events Center – 96,000 sq. ft., completed 2009, Cost: $8,359,355
Curry County Detention Center Renovation and Addition (photos below) – 17,848 sq. ft., completed July 2020, Cost: $13,763,760
Curry County Courthouse/Sheriff’s Office Renovation/Addition – 19,535 sq. ft., completed July 2023, Cost: $9,834,984
Curry County Livestock Pavilion (photos below) – 57,316 sq. ft., completed August 2024, Cost: $14,921,299
Curry County Indoor Pavilion Renovation – 10,011 sq. ft., completed September 2025, Cost: $4,126,434
Curry County Magistrate Court Addition – 17,449 sq. ft., completed January 2026, Cost: $17,475,000
Curry County Administrative Complex Construction (photos below) – 18,500 sq. ft., August 2016, Cost: $4,187,113
I’m also very proud to help New Mexico become one of NACA’s newest Block States, bringing the benefits of NACA membership to county administrators and their staff at a reduced price.
What other volunteer roles have you taken on?
National Association of Counties (NACo) Finance, Pension, Intergovernmental Affairs Steering Committee 2019 to Present
New Mexico County Insurance Authority Pool Board Chair 2020 to Present
National Association of County Administrator (NACA) Mountain Plains States Regional Vice President 2023 - Present
New Mexico Retiree Healthcare Authority Board Member and Secretary of Board 2025 to Present
Cannon Base Community Council - President 2024 to Present
Completed the National Association of Counties (NACo) High Performance Leadership Academy in April 2021
What is the best piece of advice you have received?
The best piece of advice was instilled in me by my mother when I was a child and it stands with me today. I share that with my kids and others – “treat people the way you want to be treated in return”. It is easy for all of us to get frustrated and angered at times, but we need to step away, go high and not bring people down.
January 2026