Bill and Kacy Thalman and baby daughter, Dana, presented the perfect picture of a successful young family, living and working in Albuquerque.

With a BA in Marketing from New Mexico State University, he was moving up the corporate ladder as circulation zone manager for USA Today. As a CPA, with a BA in Business from Eastern New Mexico University and a masters degree from the University of New Mexico, she was part-owner of a book business.

Still, the Thalmans longed to live in a small town and be closer to family. So, the couple sat down and talked about where they wanted to be in five to 10 years. Would they both be working? Would they be in Denver or Albuquerque? Would he still be traveling so extensively?

Thalman had grown up in Los Alamos, a city of similar size to Artesia, and Kacy was reared on a farm outside of Melrose, N.M. They both wanted Dana to grow up in a rural setting.

As a result of that conversation, they made a conscious decision to relocate to a small city.

In a bold action, Thalman resigned from USA Today, and in January 2000, began full-time classes at UNM to earn a masters degree in Public Administration, specializing in human resources.

"I knew that to move to a small town, out of the city, it (public administration) was a good field." While at UNM, he also interned with and later worked under a service contract with Sandoval County. During the same time, Kacy’s business sold, but she continued employment with the firm.

In March 2001, the couple read an advertisement for a human resource director – in Artesia. He didn’t think that the timing fit, as his advanced degree work was not complete. But at Kacy’s urging, he answered the ad. By the time he received a call back on the application, he had only six credit hours remaining for his MPA.

After checking out Artesia with friends, Greg Juarez and Danny Perez from NMSU days, and with some help from Mayor Daniel Reyes on timing, Thalman accepted the offered position, and started work on Sept. 1, 2001.

So far he has very much enjoyed the job — and has found that there is quite a bit to do. Speaking of the personnel function and department heads, "...Everyone is willing to let go since it (personnel) was an added burden. They have been super to work with and very supportive. We are looking at the past — not changing just to change — but if it is not working, to look at it and fix it."

Thalman spells out several areas in which human resources is of value to a city, "It seems like every year a number of personnel laws on Workman’s Comp, Americans with Disabilities Act and EEOC change.

"The supervisors in the Water, Roads, Public Works and other departments are too busy to keep on top of those changes with everything else they do. No. 1 —legally, they could get into a lot of hot water if they didn’t abide by the letter of the law — and just didn’t know."

Under examination by Thalman is a less expensive way to provide insurance to city employees. "If you go on the cheap, you won’t get good insurance. But you can get equivalent coverage (to what the city has) for less money for a relatively small number of employees. Other entities, such as Chaves County, piggyback with the state. Sandoval Co., Albuquerque and Corrales pool to get health insurance.

"We are looking at alternative types of coverage for what the employees expect and to save the taxpayers money. We could join Eddy County, Carlsbad, Roswell or the State of New Mexico. I think it’s important to look."

Thalman points out another of his roles, "An important function of the personnel department is to make sure anything we do is on a city-wide basis for all employees.

"One that comes to mind is training. Now, each supervisor puts in a request — it’s approved or not. We need to coordinate city-wide training categories, have more computer training, prioritize, and utilize the money we have for training to benefit the employees.

"ENMU-R will offer classes for city employees (at the local vocational center) and can tailor those classes to our needs. Yates does that for their employees."

Thalman also offers innovative ways to continue retention at the police department, "We are extremely fortunate to fill police officer spots as quickly as we do.

"…We will never be able to pay the salaries like Las Cruces or Albuquerque, so we need to use other areas to retain and recruit — benefits, retirement and quality of life.

"When police officers do apply in Artesia from Gallup or Farmington, not from this area, we will send a recruitment package, not only department materials, but a chamber of commerce packet, cost of housing, things to do in the area and schools, to help them in making their decision."

As he enumerates the many challenges facing him and the possibilities open to him in his new position, Thalman’s enthusiasm is nearly tangible. And the pleasure of finally having his wife and daughter join him here is fully apparent.

After being apart the last four months, the Thalmans are happily together at their new address. That address is in closer proximity to family — almost equal distance from his folks in Las Cruces and her relatives in Plainview.