Theater Ensemble Arts Opens 25th Season

Team Guardian Initiatives has returned from their 3,000-mile rowing adventure across the Atlantic. San Juan Regional Medical Center has announced the appointment of its new President and CEO. And Farmington's Theater Ensemble Arts kicks off its 25th season with "Steel Magnolias." You're watching the Local News Network, brought to you by Distil beer, wine, spirits, and the Northern Edge Casino. I'm Haley Upsell. Team Guardian Initiatives, made up of Lieutenant Jarrod Slindee, Captain Mark Pfetzer, and retired Sergeant Mike Hogue, have returned to Farmington after completing the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge, rowing from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean. Captain Pfetzer and Lieutenant Slindee founded a nonprofit called "Guardian Initiatives" to bring awareness, treatment, and resource sharing for first responders, for mental health and suicide prevention. And the three rowed under the Guardian Initiatives banner for the event. Farmington welcomed home the three with a celebration on Thursday, February 16th. San Juan Regional Medical Center announced its new President and CEO Jason Rounds, who will begin his tenure in early May. Rounds has over 30 years of experience, in not-for-profit and academic medical centers. And as a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, and a Certified Healthcare Financial Professional. He currently serves as the Chief Administrative Officer and Associate Vice Chancellor for Clinical Finance at the University of Arkansas for Medical Services. In a statement, Rounds said, "I am thrilled to return to New Mexico to join San Juan Regional Medical Center as President and CEO. I look forward to collaborating with caregivers and residents to make sure we all do what we can for the betterment of our patients and our local communities." Farmington's Theater Ensemble Arts opens its 25th season with a production of "Steel Magnolias", directed by first-time Theater Ensembles Arts Director Rebecca Krebbs. "Steel Magnolias", the story about a group of close-knit women in a small town and the importance of family and friends, was last performed by Theater Ensemble Arts in 2007. Krebbs says the all-female cast and single set of a hair salon allows the actors to bring a greater depth to the show's characters. The play premiered February 17th, and will continue shows February 24th through the 26th at the Connie Gotsch Theater at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $10 for students, $12 for adults. Learn more and find information about these stories at farmingtonlocal.news. Thank you for watching this edition of Local News Network. I'm Haley Opsal.