Desert Spoon Food Hub was established in 2015 with a mission to build a more local and inclusive food system. The organization serves a crucial, but often invisible, part of the local food system acting as a facilitator by our values-based approach to ensure all entities along the supply chain, from farmers and farmworkers to consumers, benefit from their food systems model.

Carlos A. Martinez was born in El Paso, Texas to a public-school teacher and a government accountant. Carlos attended public schools through middle school until he was offered a full scholarship to attend Radford School. Carlos completed high school at Radford and graduated top of his class and upon graduating high school Carlos went on to attend St. Edward’s University where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. During his time in Austin, he worked at the State Capitol gaining valuable legislative and policy experience. That work continued in El Paso after graduation, where he served as Field Representative for then State Representative Cesar Blanco assisting with policy work, constituent case work, and running the district office.

Carlos made the jump from state government to local government and served as Policy Analyst for El Paso County Commissioner David Stout. He was charged with managing policy related to healthcare, immigration, the 2020 Census, along with constituent case work and managing the office. After a few years in local and state government the opportunity to utilize his uniquely developed skillset in the private sector came about and he joined the External and Legislative Affairs team at AT&T in 2021. Carlos is responsible for managing the company’s external relationships from El Paso to San Angelo down south to Eagle Pass along with its legislative priorities. He serves as a member of the El Paso Hispanic Chamber Board of Directors, the Radford School Board of Directors, serves as liaison for AT&T on the Borderplex Alliance Board of Directors, and is a member of the El Paso Chamber’s Government Relations Committee. He is proud to call El Paso home, is a proud supporter of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, and loves his two rescue pups Toby and Chapito.

As CREEED’s Parent and Community Engagement Coordinator, Mariana Gutierrez Vega is responsible for identifying and inspiring community members, civic leaders, and, most of all, parents who care about El Paso’s education ecosystem. She is also responsible for developing and providing them with the tools they need to become powerful advocates for great schools.

Mariana was born in Ciudad Juarez, and at the age of 11, she and her family moved to El Paso. Mariana holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations and a minor in Political Science from The University of Texas at San Antonio. She also has a Master’s degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Public Policy and Management from the University of Texas at El Paso.

Mariana has been committed to the El Paso community through various roles. Before joining CREEED, Mariana served as a Partnership Specialist with the U.S. Census Bureau. She established partnerships with federal, state, and local governments, community leaders, non-profits, and faith-based organizations to develop strategies to ensure a complete count in El Paso County. She also supported operations in Arizona, New Mexico, and West Texas.

Before working with the U.S. Census Bureau, Mariana worked at the United Way of El Paso County as their Fundraising Assistant and later as the Community Engagement Coordinator. In her roles, Mariana managed and led United Way Donor Networks and oversaw the implementation of the Community Impact Agenda.

Mariana’s volunteer efforts have ranged from assisting with fundraising efforts for Teleton USA, volunteering at church by distributing food and donations, and volunteering with different non-profit organizations in El Paso and Ciudad Juarez. She believes that if everyone works together towards a common goal, they can achieve great things.

In her new role at CREEED, Mariana is excited to empower and engage parents by giving them a voice in the decisions affecting all El Paso students and providing them with the tools to become advocates for their children.

Albert started working toward building a climbing gym when he moved back to El Paso in 2011. After some struggles in his first attempt to open a gym, he pivoted and opened Sessions Climbing and Guiding in 2012 to promote the sport of climbing in El Paso. Albert grew his guiding company with the use of his years of experience as an AMGA guide and Hueco Tanks connoisseur and continues to guide and climb regularly. After growing his guiding company, Albert returned to his original goal of opening a climbing gym in El Paso. In 2022 Albert realized his dream and opened Sessions Climbing and Fitness to further share his passion for climbing and to bolster the climbing community in El Paso. Aside from his passion for climbing, Albert is a lifelong learner who is currently pursuing a PhD in Computer Science, a loving husband, and father of three. Albert plans to stay in El Paso and continue on his journey of giving back to the community and sharing his passions and experiences with anyone who is willing to lend an ear.

Ten years ago we planted a few flowers in between the rows of pecan trees on our farm. With a lot of love and a little bit of luck we have blossomed into the largest specialty cut flower farm in southern New Mexico. We are known for our colorful selection of annuals and perennials and the magical ways they make our specialty creations unique and memorable.

This jewel of a farm is owned and operated by the Calhoun family, a fourth-generation farming family committed to growing and delivering the most beautiful blooms in all the land. Let's learn more about how they are making a difference in the community.

Minerva Torres Shelton began her law enforcement career in January 1997 with the El Paso Police Department. After September 11, 2001, she joined the FBI. During her twenty-one years in the FBI, Minerva worked violet crimes, human trafficking of children, counterterrorism matters gangs, trafficking of guns and drugs, and the Joint Terrorism Task Force. She ended her career as a field supervisor in the FBI's El Paso field office. Minerva's journey for justice began when she was nine years old. Learn more about Minerva and how she is making a difference in her community!

Ersela Kripa is an Albanian-born, American architect, artist, and teacher. Her work has won numerous awards and honors. She currently directs the architecture program at Texas Tech University, El Paso. Learn about her interests and how her love for design is making an impact for the El Paso Community and the Boys & Girls Clubs of El Paso.