American Humanist Association
2003 Chapter of the Year
HSNM Organization
Ocotber 2011: - Revised HSNM By-Laws have been ratified.
HSNM members in good standing may request a copy of the final document by writing to president@humanistsocietyofnm.org.
President - Zelda Gatuskin
Zelda was born and grew up in Wilmington, Delaware, and attended Emerson College in Boston, where she received a B.S. degree in Visual Communications. She and her husband Frank Johnson own and operate Studio Z, multi-media arts, in Albuquerque. In addition to her work as a freelance artist, she has worked as a volunteer for a variety of community organizations and progressive causes.
In 1991 Zelda's first book was published by Amador Publishers, a humanist press founded by Harry Willson and Adela Amador. Today Zelda is owner and editor-in-chief of the press, perpetuating its humanist mission.
Zelda's talk on the arts and humanism to HSNM in 2009 resulted in an invitation to speak at the AHA 2010 conference in San Jose. Since attending the conference, she has also joined the Feminist Caucus of the AHA.
Zelda's collection of poetry titled "But Who's Counting?" was named a winner in the 2010 New Mexico Book Awards. Her newest title is a novel, "Where the Sky Used to Be."
Vice President - Roy Moody
Roy Ellis Moody, M.Ed., has been facilitating groups of people in creating passion for their work and igniting natural teamwork, motivation, and performance for the past 27 years. Roy grew up on a small family farm in Alabama, and it was there that he learned the valuable skills of cooperation, teamwork and producing results, while keeping a sense of humor. He participated in high school and college athletics and went on to coach championship basketball teams. It was in his capacity as a winning coach and later as an association executive that he fine-tuned his abilities to lead, develop, and coach organizations. During his career Roy has traveled coast-to-coast presenting keynote speeches and seminars for more than 350,000 people. He has given presentations to state and national conventions, major corporations, and hundreds of professional associations. He has a humorous way of presenting important information that leaves people passionate and ready to take action. His credentials include a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Alabama's Troy State University, a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of West Florida, and post-graduate work at The University of New Mexico.
Roy first joined the American Humanist Association in 1973, and his mission is to clarify and integrate the ideas and principles of Humanism in life and work and to communicate them to the general public. Roy is an active community leader. He served on a committee for the New Mexico Society of Association Executives, was Chairperson of the Albuquerque Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, President of the Kiwanis Club of Albuquerque, President of the New Mexico chapter of the National Speakers Association, and a founding member and President of the Day Breakers Toastmasters club.
Treasurer - Leland Franks
Born May 11, 1928, in Huntington, WV, raised by my mother, Nora, and her parents until 1940. Then my mother and I moved to Logan, WV, where I attended Junior and Senior High Schools. Graduated WV University in 1946 with a BS in Accounting. Graduated from Univ. of Kentucky Law School in 1953. Was admitted to practice law in Ky, WV. & later, NM. Drafted into the Army spending 2 years at the base law office of old Sandia Base in Albuquerque. On release from the Army, began working in tax department of local accounting firm for 3 years, and became a CPA. In 1958 I opened a law office in Albuquerque and have practiced law until partially retiring in 2001 by moving my office to my home, and I continue to be partially retired to date. Married to Judith Vernam for 28 years, have a son and two daughters, and 5 grandkids from prior marriage. Joined HSNM in late '80's, became vice president, then president in early '90's. Have been active, but not in an official capacity since that time. Based on the talents of my fellow nominees, I'm looking forward to a productive 2 years.Secretary - Jerrold (Jerry) Gilbert
I had been an active clinical psychologist for about 30 years until I retired almost 10 years ago. I have been a strong believer in a professional’s responsibility to keep the public educated and informed, sharing information that people could use to enrich their lives. That is why I participated in many organizations and projects that made education their primary mission.
I received my B.A. from Northeastern University in Boston, MA, my M.A. from the University of Mississippi, and my Ph.D. at the University of Alabama. I served as psychologist at Alabama State prisons for eight years and conducted a private practice for nineteen years. I offered individual, marriage, and family counseling at a family guidance center for 23 years. Some of my special projects included writing television public service announcements for a Mental Health Association and for a Victims of Crime and Leniency advocacy group. I was coordinator for the Alzheimer's Disease Support Group and trainer for the Latchkey Warmline and telephone crisis volunteers. I was also a leader for parenting, divorce adjustment, self-esteem, and assertiveness learning groups, and a leader of a support group for families of Gulf War military.
For most of my adult life I have acted on Humanist principles without being aware of the label. My experience with political activism includes membership in the National Organization for Women, which included marches and protests. I am a staunch advocate for human rights. This viewpoint is also evidenced in my work for the Alabama Prison Project on behalf of inmate mothers and for Victims of Crime and Leniency on behalf of survivors of crimes and the families of victims who did not survive. These two programs helped me to see both sides of a tragic reality.
Past President - Fred March
Biography and photo pending.Member-at-Large - Carolyn Glen Kaye
Biography and photo pending.Member-at-Large - Randy Wall
Scroll down; Randy is also our Newsletter Editor.HSNM Family Coop Coordinator - Ron Herman 
Ron was the Special Projects Director for the Humanist Society of New Mexico for two years. In that office, he led the Advertising and Humanism School Subcommittees, and he helped start the Humanist Society at The University of New Mexico. He is now Family Coop Coordinator.
Ron is from Las Vegas, NM, where he earned a BS in physics and math from New Mexico Highlands University with minors in earth science and music. He completed a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering at UNM in 1981 and a Master in Business from UNM in May of 2006. He has worked as a product development engineer designing positioning systems and alternate energy systems. Ron now has his own small company called Engineering Ideas. He has been the primary author of many technical reports and plans, newsletters, and articles on humanism.
Ron grew up in a Catholic family, then was a Baha'i for a while, and later attended the Unitarian and Religious Science Churches in Albuquerque. He was president of the Music, Musings, and Meditation Fellowship in the late 1990s. Ron has two grown children, whom he raised alone, after their mother was killed by a drunk driver. He supports a variety of environmental, social, and civil rights organizations.
Newsletter Editor - Randy Wall
Randy was born and raised in Artesia, New Mexico. In 1986, he earned a bachelor's degree in Psychology at New Mexico State University. He has worked in a healthcare setting since and is currently employed by Presbyterian Healthcare Services as an Administrative Secretary. His interests include the martial arts, science, popular culture and of course, Humanism.
Website Designer - Phil Smith
Phil Smith is a space industry analyst and freelance artist. As an employee of companies like SAIC and Futron Corporation, he has supported the space activities of civil organizations, private industry, and military agencies, providing detailed analyses related to the commercialization of space, including existing and emerging markets (such as personal space transportation, or space tourism), trend analysis using historical data, characterization of the nation's space architecture, international space activity, potential economic impacts of loss of space services, and space technology policy. He also served eight years in the United States Air Force, both as a nuclear cruise missile specialist and a bioenvironmental engineering technician. Phil also ran for public office in 1997, making an unsuccessful bid for a seat on the Omaha City Council. Phil lives in the Denver, Colorado area.
HSNM Authors and Artists
Zelda Gatuskin
Fred March (Former HSNM President)
Paul H. Deal
Find Paul's many titles at Amazon.com
Arden Tice
Find Arden's poetry at Amazon.com
Phil Smith