The Board of Directors is very happy to announce GAAR's new Executive Vice President, Kent Cravens.

An Albuquerque native, Kent Cravens comes to GAAR with a background as a REALTOR®, entrepreneur, and association leadership experience with the New Mexico Dental Association. He's also served as a New Mexico State Senator for over 10 years. 

While Kent Cravens was in the process of building his new business consulting practice, he was presented with the opportunity to serve as GAAR's Executive Vice President and jumped at the chance. 

His experience in business began in 1989 when Kent opened Premier Foods, Inc., an institutional food and supply wholesaler serving the local Albuquerque food service industry. He sold Premier Foods in 1999 and started Alphagraphics US020, a quick print franchise. Over the next fourteen years, Kent and his wife Melanie built Alphagraphics US020 to be a leader in the national franchise network. They sold AlphaGraphics franchise in 2013.

Concurrent to running AlphaGraphics Kent was named Executive Director of the New Mexico Dental Association. In this role, he stood watch over the business affairs of the association and was instrumental in founding the New Mexico Dental Foundation, a nonprofit which currently provides over $1 million a year in donated dental services to New Mexico’s undeserved population.

While in the New Mexico State Senate, Kent focused on business and economic development issues. Kent served on numerous legislative committees to include Senate Corporations and Transportation, Senate Judiciary, Senate Education, Senate Rules and numerous others.

“When I learned about the EVP position here at GAAR, I felt all my previous experience brought me to this point,” said Mr. Cravens. “Working with as an Executive Director was one of the happiest times of my life and I look forward to serving GAAR members,’ he added “I strive to be a servant leader and plan to continue in Janice McCrary’s footsteps in keeping GAAR's focus on members.”

Kent Cravens’ goal is to balance keeping the continuity of association year-to-year while freeing leadership to bring their fresh new ideas during their tenure.

His first year goal is to get his feet planted and quickly work to accomplish all the plans the Board of Directors have mapped out in the 2016 Strategic Plan. When asked if there is an additional message he really wanted to share with GAAR members, he stated, “It is an absolute honor to serve you.”