Carpenter Retires, Stark is New County CEO

Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at 5:38 PM

Kim Carpenter - Mike Stark (Courtesy: San Juan County)

Mike Stark currently serves as County Operations Officer and has for the last eight years under CEO Kim Carpenter. Carpenter has announced his retirement effective December 31, 2018.

From San Juan County:

Tuesday at the San Juan County Commission meeting, San Juan County Commissioners voted to hire Mike Stark as County Executive Officer.

Mike Stark currently serves as County Operations Officer and has for the last eight years under CEO Kim Carpenter. Carpenter has announced his retirement effective December 31, 2018.

Stark has worked for San Juan County for 12 years, under three CEOs. Prior to San Juan County, Stark worked in the private sector and, with his wife, owned a retail/wholesale business for 10 years.

“I look forward to serving the Commission and citizens of San Juan County in this new role,“ said Stark. “I’m really excited about continuing to work with the great team of elected officials, department heads, and all employees who work every day to achieve our mission statement of ‘Building a Stronger Community.’”

Stark will begin as CEO on January 1, 2019.

More from Local News

Navajo Nation agrees (again) to help fund N-36/NM 371 Intersection Improvements

The agreement authorizes NDOT to transfer $2,790,647 to NMDOT to administer procurement and construction of the NM371/N36 Intersection Improvement Project. This long-needed project will include roadway widening and the installation of a traffic signal and lighting system designed to reduce accidents, improve traffic flow, and enhance overall public safety for residents, school buses, emergency responders, and travelers who rely on this heavily used corridor.
Racing Commission Approves SunRay Move to Clovis

The move will not affect the 2026 racing season in San Juan County. Live racing is scheduled for April 17 – May 24, 2026. San Juan County has previously said that McGee Park and the San Juan County Fairgrounds would not be impacted by any changes at the casino and horse racing track.
*Update* Arrest Made in Child's Death

The suspect, John Hannon, the child’s father, was arrested on 2/9/26 on unrelated charges. He was served with the following charges while at the San Juan County Adult Detention Center:
90 Dogs Rescued in Bloomfield

The rescue effort also received substantial financial support, from various donors. This outside support significantly reduced the financial impact on local resources and ensured the operation did not place a major burden on San Juan County taxpayers.
Resident Dies after House Fire N. of Aztec

Crews arrived to find a structure on fire and the occupant inside. Despite a quick response from fire crews and efforts by San Juan County Sheriff’s Deputies, one occupant was removed from the structure by firefighters and transported to the hospital by San Juan Regional Medical Center EMS. The occupant was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Diné College Selects New President

Dr. Jackson-Dennison, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation (Diné), brings nearly four decades of experience in educational leadership, with a career dedicated to advancing Indigenous sovereignty, self-determination, and academic excellence. Her leadership reflects a unique ability to integrate Indigenous knowledge systems with Western academic frameworks, a hallmark of her scholarship and professional practice.