Meet our team
Tiffany Cole
Executive Director
Based in Albuquerque, Tiffany’s background in the film industry with acting, directing, writing and producing experience will enhance the Foundation's focus on supporting Above-the-Line talent. Former faculty member at the USC School of Dramatic Arts, Tiffany's notable film roles include "Sharknado" (you read that correctly!) and "The Last Girl", as well as "True Blue" and "Park 33", both currently in the festival circuit. She is finishing her feature film script, "SOS Paperclip", which she is set to direct, based on her directing-debut short, already starting world-wide distribution while on the festival circuit. In her former, pre-pandemic theatre life her resume includes her "hauntingly vivacious" turn as Fefu in Maria Irene Fornes' “Fefu and Her Friends” (Charles McNulty's 'Top 10 [National] Productions of 2019' at the Odyssey Theatre, LA), the award-winning productions of “Punch & Judy” (LA Drama Critic's Circle) and “Very Still & Hard to See” (LA Weekly Award), as well as the "perfectly enraged" titular role in “Electra”. Proud to call New Mexico her new home, Tiffany hopes to one day fuel her feminist drive with an official coffee sponsorship. Member of SAG-AFTRA.
Tom Ragan
Board President
With over 15 years in the industry, Tom has a rich background of experience delivering authentic, approachable, and attuned documentary-style filmmaking in both short form and feature length productions. Tom has produced, filmed & edited content for companies such as USA Today, NFL Player Engagement, Warrior Lacrosse, and UN Women. After 10 years in NYC, he now calls Albuquerque home where he runs The Studio at WESST. Since starting at the Studio in October of 2021, Tom has directed and produced an abundance of commercials for local businesses as well as winning a Telly Award for the WESST 2023 ad campaign.
Michelle Tomlinson
Board Treasurer
Hailing from New Mexico and Los Angeles, Michelle Tomlinson is an award-winning Actress, Acting Teacher, and Director. A 2020 recipient of the bronze Best Director & Best Web/TV Pilot Award for the Palm City Film Festival for her narrative Directing debut, “Deeply Superficial,” Tomlinson loves working behind and in front of the camera. Tomlinson also Directed the deep emotional drama that addresses sexual assault, “Redemption”, the narrative podcast “Porque”, the Documentary “Edge”, and the romantic short film, “Soul Mates.” Tomlinson is also working on the feature films “Portales” and “The Penny”, both in development.
Angelica Lyster
Board Secretary
Currently the Director of the Las Vegas San Miguel Film Commission, Film Liaison for the City of Las Vegas & San Miguel County, and the Director of the Las Vegas San Miguel Film Commission, Angie was born & raised in Las Vegas, NM and a graduate of NM Highlands University. She holds a Masters in Media Arts & Computer Science with a Digital Media & Audio Production concentration, and while working at Sangre De Cristo Broadcasting in Las Vegas she has earned multiple awards from the New Mexico Broadcasters Association. Angie is grateful for the opportunity to serve with the Foundation and looks forward to being an active supporter and promoter of the Mission of NMFF.
Terry Futschik
Board Member
Terry Futschik, President of the New Mexico Film Foundation, has dedicated her skills to elevate independent filmmakers in New Mexico. Her methods of mentoring and support were recognized as a volunteer in 2019, and she subsequently joined the Foundation as Executive Director that same year. After stepping into the shoes of founder Dirk Norris and quickly being thrust into a worldwide shutdown for almost two years due to the pandemic, Terry remained diligent by creating online training and networking events to inspire creativity. Her transition from Executive Director to President of the New Mexico Film Foundation began in late 2023. Through her educational and career endeavors, she has discovered the vital importance of resilience, hard work, and unwavering commitment. Her journey as a Line Producer and Executive Producer has resulted in multiple short films, as well as two feature films between the years 2019-2023.
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Dan Region
Board Member
Dan is the owner and director of operations of Blue Mesa Productions. Blue Mesa offers professional voice/overs and photography. Dan is also the owner of Region's Photos, a photography studio specializing in Fine Art Portraits, Actor Headshots, Commercial Photography and landscapes. As a theater, film & television actor in New York City, Dan trained with John Strasberg and Geraldine Page and is the founding member of the Pearl Theater Company. Dan has also appeared in over 100 TV commercials.
Carol Skipwith
Board Member
Carol Skipwith joined the film community of New Mexico in 2012. Her first introductionwas portraying a background actor on Better Call Saul. Her reaction “I was hooked.”She began sharing her talents for photography by shooting pictures at networkingevents. Word got around about her remarkable eye and her journey providingheadshots for actors throughout Albuquerque began and has grown to thousands in herportfolio. According to Skipwith, “Not only did the film industry give me a new direction Inever dreamed of, but it would also bless me with so many people who accepted me asfamily.”She eventually received her eligibility for Screen Actors Guild, but her expertise and truepassion is behind the camera and not in front of it.Carol has volunteered for years with the New Mexico Film Foundation and in 2024 wasvoted as a Board Member.
Paul Lucero
Board Member
Born in Kings County, Seattle, Washington, on August 6th 1991. Less than one month after being born, Paul's family flew him out to Albuquerque, New Mexico where he grew up with two siblings. When college came, Paul chose to move out of state to Orlando, Florida to pursue a degree in film. Immediately after attaining the degree he began working in the film industry, traveling all over the country from Orlando to Phoenix & Las Vegas to landing in Albuquerque. By 2022, Paul had written two shows that are currently streaming on Amazon Prime. Paul joined the Foundation’s Executive Team as Secretary with enthusiasm to continue support for New Mexico Filmmakers.
Royd McCargish
Advisory Board
Royd McCargish is a life-long resident of New Mexico and considers himself fortunate to be able to showcase its beauty.
Two feature films that he Executive Produced over the last couple of years are currently available on Amazon Prime.
He has a real passion for visual story telling. Whether it is helping out with locations, crafty, set construction, producing, basically whatever needs to be done, you can find him helping indie filmmakers bring their story to life.
Bobby Hockaday
Advisory Board
Robert F. Hockaday is a digital filmmaker and actor from Los Alamos, New Mexico. He has a degree in Digital Filmmaking/Production from Eastern New Mexico University from which he graduated in 2013. Based in Tucumcari he serves as the Executive director of Film Tucumcari, a non-profit on a mission to revitalize Tucumcari and Quay County’s economy through the magic of media production. He is a staunch supporter and believer in the economic power of film and media for the economy and wellbeing of those involved in it, and the mission of the New Mexico Film Foundation.
Chad Quick
Advisory Board
Born and raised in a small town in Montana, Chad received his. Part school education from The Columbus College Of Art & Design. In Columbus, Ohio and The Art Institute of Dallas in Dallas, Texas. With over 25 years in the industry Chad began his career in 1998 overseeing the art dept. at Old Tucson Studios in Tucson, Arizona. A world famous film studio putting out some of the most famous western films ever Ade.
Chad also ran the set building dept at The Gaslight Theatre in Tucson and was the Design Manager for Six Flags America outside of Washington, DC until 2013. In 2020 Chad took the position of General Manager of the Roswell Film Studios in Roswell, New Mexico. He continues to work as a Production Designer and Producer on union and independent films and television across the country.
In addition to his film career Chad has designed concert set for the likes of Kenny Rogers, Eddie Money, Charlie Davies, Kenny Chesney, Lynard Skynyrd, MC Hammer and many more.
Chad is a union member of the Art Directors Guild (ADG) Local #800 based out of Los Angeles.
Julius Roanhorse
Advisory Board
Dirk Norris
Emeritus Board Member
After working for the New Mexico State Film Office as the Outreach Programs Manager, Dirk created the New Mexico Film Foundation and served as the Executive Director until his retirement in 2020. During his time with the Foundation, he created a number of programs designed to promote and support New Mexico independent filmmakers. He continues to be interested in the New Mexico film community and is proud to serve as an Honorary Board Member of the New Mexico Film Foundation.