Alamogordo, NM — On July 4, 2026, a notable chapter in the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce’s history will close with the retirement of Executive Director Jerrett D. Perry. The following day, July 5, a new era begins under the leadership of hometown entrepreneur Adam J. Hoppes, who has been groomed internally as Perry’s successor.

The Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors announced both the retirement and promotion in back-to-back press releases, emphasizing a deliberate two-year succession plan designed to ensure continuity.

Yearning for the Past the Oliver Era: Stability, Spotlight, and Bipartisan Progress

For many longtime residents and business owners, the Chamber’s most effective years came under the steady hand of G.B. Oliver, a seasoned executive director known for relationship-building, community collaboration, and pragmatic leadership.

During Oliver’s tenure, the Chamber gained national attention by hosting the Osbourne family, shining a bright spotlight on Alamogordo’s rich ranching heritage, its deep military ties to Holloman Air Force Base, and the natural beauty of White Sands National Park. Oliver was instrumental in working across party lines with past governors to secure critical funding for Otero County. His efforts helped advance major infrastructure projects, championed funding for the MainStreet Makeover downtown and funding for the development of the bypass, enhancements to city initiatives, and strengthened partnerships with Holloman Air Force Base. His departure in 2023 marked the end of an era characterized by broad respect and tangible progress across Otero County.

Controversy Under Perry

Perry’s tenure, which began in July 2023, brought a more aggressive approach to membership and vision. While the Chamber expanded visibility under his watch, it also faced significant controversy.

His relationship with the mesia was fractured which highlighted tensions including board member resignations, questions over governance and transparency, and an ethics crisis involving secret recordings and police investigations. City of Alamogordo leadership expressed concerns over the Chamber’s direction, with public scrutiny intensifying around financial clarity, political positioning, and collaboration. Former Mayor Susan Payne and several city commissioners voiced worries that the organization had drifted from its core mission of broad-based business advocacy and suspended its business development relationship funding.

These challenges strained relationships with segments of the small business community, including Alamogordo MainStreet, which has worked to revitalize downtown but at times found itself at odds with Chamber priorities versus a partnership during the Oliver era.

Hope for Renewal Under Hoppes

Board Chair Rodney Eaton praised Hoppes as the embodiment of local entrepreneurship and innovation. A lifelong Alamogordo resident, Hoppes has served as the Chamber’s Office Manager since 2024. He founded SkyView2U, an aerial imagery company, at age 18 and brings technical expertise, including FAA drone licensing and certifications from Clemson University.

In his statement, Hoppes emphasized commitment to the community: “The opportunities right here in Alamogordo have never been better. I chose to stay and build my life and my business in this community because I believe in its future.””

Many in the smalll business community now express cautious optimism.

There is widespread hope that Hoppes, as a representative of a younger generation of leadership, will expand diversity, champion greater inclusion in entrepreneurship, mend fences with small business owners and the media, strengthen partnerships with Alamogordo MainStreet, and restore the collaborative spirit that defined the Oliver years while building on recent initiatives.

The Chamber’s Board noted that promoting from within reflects its mission of demonstrating that meaningful careers can be built in southern New Mexico.

As the organization navigates this leadership transition amid a struggling local economy tied heavily to Holloman AFB, tourism, and small business vitality, the coming months will test whether the new chapter can reunite stakeholders and refocus on serving all segments of the Alamogordo business community.

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