About Deepak Maharjan

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So far Deepak Maharjan has created 70 blog entries.

Evolution of the Mexican Drug Cartels Including Trafficking of the Latest Synthetic Drugs – Fentanyl and Methamphetamine

March 16, 2023

Mike Vigil

Mike Vigil grew up in Espanola and was an undercover DEA agent in Colombia and Mexico infiltrating Pablo Escobar and Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman’s drug cartels.

He was the former Chief of International Operations for the Drug Enforcement Administration, one of the most highly decorated agents within the agency and responsible for numerous multinational operations, the largest involved 36 countries. Vigil was made an honorary General by the government of Afghanistan and given the key to the city of Shanghai by China. He was given an Admiral’s sword by the former president of the Dominican Republic, Hipolito Mejia. He was also responsible for developing global intelligence sharing platforms.

After graduating from New Mexico State University, he joined the DEA academy in Washington, D.C., in 1973 at the age of 22.

For most of his 31 year career, his job was to infiltrate Latin America’s drug cartels, posing as a Mexican drug trafficker. During his time with the agency, Mike Vigil never told his Española family about his dangerous work. But in a 370-page autobiography titled DEAL, he described some of his riskiest missions. In addition to DEAL, he has written Metal Coffins: The Blood Alliance Cartel, Narco Queen, and The Land of Enchantment Cartel.

In the 1980s, he said that he sat next to Colombia’s drug kingpin Pablo Escobar at soccer games. “The reason I wrote the book is to leave a legacy behind for my family,” Vigil said. “It’s also, secondarily, an education tool for people to see what the drug trade is really all about.”

DEAL starts with an anecdote of an undercover operation in the Mexican state of Sonora in the 1970s, when Vigil went undercover to meet two drug traffickers who worked for Guadalajara cartel leader Rafael Caro Quintero. In 1985, Quintero tortured and killed a DEA agent. As Vigil waited to exchange his fake money with the traffickers for three tons of marijuana, a Mexican federal agent with him got impatient, pointed his gun at one of the drug traffickers, blowing Vigil’s cover. “The trafficker shot [the agent] twice in the head, and I remember seeing a spray of blood coming out of his head,” Vigil recalled. The drug trafficker also shot at Vigil twice, but he missed. And so it went throughout his incredible and risky career south of the border.

Registration: This SFWAF lunch is $25 for members and $35 for nonmembers. To register you may either pay by check made out to SFWAF and mailed to the Santa Fe World Affairs Forum, PO Box 31965, Santa Fe, NM 87594 or by credit card through Paypal. Please indicate on your check – or if using Paypal (“add special instructions to the seller”) that your payment is for the Thursday March 16, 2023 program: https://sfwaf.org/payment/

Members: if you have not yet paid your 2022-23 membership dues, you may include the $50 per person annual dues in your payment for this program, but please also note in special instructions that dues are included. Because we are a 501(c)(3) organization, dues and contributions are tax deductible.

If you are not a member, please include your best contact information. If you are interested in membership, please email us: sfwaforum@outlook.com.

Payment for this program is nonrefundable after Friday, March 10. We strongly prefer that payment be made by Paypal or check postmarked by Friday March 10, 2023 to facilitate check-in. If you are mailing a check please also email us at sfwaforum@outlook.com to be sure we know you plan to attend.

Location:

SFCC Board Room (#223) is in the West Wing (Administration Building). The college is located at 6401 Richards Avenue, Santa Fe, NM 87508. Enter through the building’s main entrance (on the left side of the building behind the flag poles). The Board Room is on the corridor to the left of the Campus Center.

Directions:

From Rodeo Road turn south onto Richards Avenue. Turn into the campus main drive. Parking lots are in front of the building. From I-25 take the Cerrillos Road exit, turn east onto Governor Miles Road and then right onto Richards Avenue. Then follow directions above.

The SFWAF program is from 12:00 noon – 2:00 pm.

Cost for the SFWAF lunch event is $25 for members and $35 for nonmembers.

Pay with Paypal

Registration: This SFWAF lunch is $25 for members and $35 for nonmembers. You may pay by check made out to SFWAF and mailed to The Santa Fe World Affairs Forum, Santa Fe, PO Box 31965, NM 87594 or with a credit card using our Paypal account.  Please indicate on your check or if using Paypal please note in “add special instructions to the seller” that your payment is for the Thursday March 16, 2023 program.  If you are not a member please also include your best contact information. If you are interested in membership, please email us.

Payment for this program is non-refundable after Friday, March 10, 2023 if you are unable to attend.  We strongly prefer that payment be made by Paypal or check postmarked by Friday, March 10, 2023 at the latest to facilitate check in. It is also very helpful if you are sending a check to email us at sfwaforum@outlook.com to let us know you plan to attend.

If you are not a member but interested in membership, please see our membership page and email sfwaforum@outlook.com for additional information.   

Because we are a 501(c)(3) organization, dues and contributions are tax deductible. 

For pricing and reservations, click here: https://sfwaf.org/payment/

The Speaker

Mike Vigil
Mike VigilFormer Chief of International Operations for the Drug Enforcement Administration
Mike Vigil grew up in Espanola and was an undercover DEA agent in Colombia and Mexico infiltrating Pablo Escobar and Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman’s drug cartels.

He was the former Chief of International Operations for the Drug Enforcement Administration, one of the most highly decorated agents within the agency and responsible for numerous multinational operations, the largest involved 36 countries. Vigil was made an honorary General by the government of Afghanistan and given the key to the city of Shanghai by China. He was given an Admiral’s sword by the former president of the Dominican Republic, Hipolito Mejia. He was also responsible for developing global intelligence sharing platforms.

Evolution of the Mexican Drug Cartels Including Trafficking of the Latest Synthetic Drugs – Fentanyl and Methamphetamine2023-03-17T02:46:35-07:00

The Westernization of Russia

March  7, 2023

Dr. James L. West

In this free web series for Santa Fe World Affairs Forum members and friends,historian Dr. James L. West explores the troubled relationship between Ukraine and Russia from earliest times to the present war. Join us Tuesdays from 10:30am to noon beginning February 14 for dynamic discussions leading up the Santa Fe World Affairs Forum’s symposium April 13-14 on today’s Russian invasion of Ukraine and its many reverberations.

Dr. West employs art and music to trace the course of the tangled history of Ukraine and Russia through cycles of conquest and subjugation, revolt and emancipation. Beginning with the founding of Kievan Rus, he examines the geography and ecology that entwined the “Wild Field” of the steppes with the “Forested Lands” to the north and the events from which founding mythologies claimed by both Russia and Ukraine are derived.

From these struggles, a modern, forward looking Ukrainian nation emerged against all odds to try to join Europe, only to be confronted by a backward-looking Russia determined to reignite those conflicts and drag Ukraine back into the Eurasian steppes. Herein, perhaps, lies the dynamic of the current war.

Below is the link to register for this series. You only have to register once to receive the information to join via Zoom in meeting format, which allows participants to see and hear each other and interact with Dr. West.

James West

Dr. James L. West a specialist in Russian society, holds a PhD in prerevolutionary Russian history from Princeton University. He taught at the European University in St Petersburg, Russia from 2015-17, the sole remaining private university in the Russian Federation, closed in 2017 by the Russian government in its drive to eliminate western liberal thought in the country.

He was a professor of history and humanities at Middlebury College (1995-2011), and professor of history at Trinity College, Hartford, Conn. (1971-95)

During his academic career, he was the recipient of several prestigious US government grants to conduct and publish research in and on the Soviet Union which resulted in Between Tsar and People (1991) and Merchant Moscow (1991), Princeton University Press and republished in Russia in 2008which he edited.

In addition to Russian history, West has taught courses on the interplay of culture, society, intellectual thought and politics in Russia and Central Europe. He spoke at SFWAF’s first symposium “A Window on Russia” in 2006 and at our 2018 symposium “Values, Myths and Interests: American Foreign Policy in an Unstable World” on “Up Off Our Knees: The Search for a Usable Past for Russia’s Resurgence.” He most recently addressed SFWAF audiences on history of the Ukraine-Russia conflict via web on August 17, 2022.

He most recently spoke on Russia-Ukraine relations for SFWAF in March 2020

If you are not a member but interested in membership, please see our membership page and email sfwaforum@outlook.com for additional information.   

Because we are a 501(c)(3) organization, dues and contributions are tax deductible. 

The Speaker

Dr. James L. West
Dr. James L. WestProfessor of Russian History
Dr. James L. West a specialist in Russian society, holds a PhD in prerevolutionary Russian history from Princeton University. He taught at the European University in St Petersburg, Russia from 2015-17, the sole remaining private university in the Russian Federation, closed in 2017 by the Russian government in its drive to eliminate western liberal thought in the country.

He was a professor of history and humanities at Middlebury College (1995-2011), and professor of history at Trinity College, Hartford, Conn. (1971-95)

During his academic career, he was the recipient of several prestigious US government grants to conduct and publish research in and on the Soviet Union which resulted in Between Tsar and People (1991) and Merchant Moscow (1991), Princeton University Press and republished in Russia in 2008which he edited.

In addition to Russian history, West has taught courses on the interplay of culture, society, intellectual thought and politics in Russia and Central Europe. He spoke at SFWAF’s first symposium “A Window on Russia” in 2006 and at our 2018 symposium “Values, Myths and Interests: American Foreign Policy in an Unstable World” on “Up Off Our Knees: The Search for a Usable Past for Russia’s Resurgence.” He most recently addressed SFWAF audiences on history of the Ukraine-Russia conflict via web on August 17, 2022.

He most recently spoke on Russia-Ukraine relations for SFWAF in March 2020.

The Westernization of Russia2023-02-28T22:21:44-07:00

The Mongol Invasion, The Rise of Muscovy and the Cossacks

February 28, 2023

Dr. James L. West

In this free web series for Santa Fe World Affairs Forum members and friends,historian Dr. James L. West explores the troubled relationship between Ukraine and Russia from earliest times to the present war. Join us Tuesdays from 10:30am to noon beginning February 14 for dynamic discussions leading up the Santa Fe World Affairs Forum’s symposium April 13-14 on today’s Russian invasion of Ukraine and its many reverberations.

Dr. West employs art and music to trace the course of the tangled history of Ukraine and Russia through cycles of conquest and subjugation, revolt and emancipation. Beginning with the founding of Kievan Rus, he examines the geography and ecology that entwined the “Wild Field” of the steppes with the “Forested Lands” to the north and the events from which founding mythologies claimed by both Russia and Ukraine are derived.

From these struggles, a modern, forward looking Ukrainian nation emerged against all odds to try to join Europe, only to be confronted by a backward-looking Russia determined to reignite those conflicts and drag Ukraine back into the Eurasian steppes. Herein, perhaps, lies the dynamic of the current war.

Below is the link to register for this series. You only have to register once to receive the information to join via Zoom in meeting format, which allows participants to see and hear each other and interact with Dr. West.

James West

Dr. James L. West a specialist in Russian society, holds a PhD in prerevolutionary Russian history from Princeton University. He taught at the European University in St Petersburg, Russia from 2015-17, the sole remaining private university in the Russian Federation, closed in 2017 by the Russian government in its drive to eliminate western liberal thought in the country.

He was a professor of history and humanities at Middlebury College (1995-2011), and professor of history at Trinity College, Hartford, Conn. (1971-95)

During his academic career, he was the recipient of several prestigious US government grants to conduct and publish research in and on the Soviet Union which resulted in Between Tsar and People (1991) and Merchant Moscow (1991), Princeton University Press and republished in Russia in 2008which he edited.

In addition to Russian history, West has taught courses on the interplay of culture, society, intellectual thought and politics in Russia and Central Europe. He spoke at SFWAF’s first symposium “A Window on Russia” in 2006 and at our 2018 symposium “Values, Myths and Interests: American Foreign Policy in an Unstable World” on “Up Off Our Knees: The Search for a Usable Past for Russia’s Resurgence.” He most recently addressed SFWAF audiences on history of the Ukraine-Russia conflict via web on August 17, 2022.

He most recently spoke on Russia-Ukraine relations for SFWAF in March 2020

If you are not a member but interested in membership, please see our membership page and email sfwaforum@outlook.com for additional information.   

Because we are a 501(c)(3) organization, dues and contributions are tax deductible. 

The Speaker

Dr. James L. West
Dr. James L. WestProfessor of Russian History
Dr. James L. West a specialist in Russian society, holds a PhD in prerevolutionary Russian history from Princeton University. He taught at the European University in St Petersburg, Russia from 2015-17, the sole remaining private university in the Russian Federation, closed in 2017 by the Russian government in its drive to eliminate western liberal thought in the country.

He was a professor of history and humanities at Middlebury College (1995-2011), and professor of history at Trinity College, Hartford, Conn. (1971-95)

During his academic career, he was the recipient of several prestigious US government grants to conduct and publish research in and on the Soviet Union which resulted in Between Tsar and People (1991) and Merchant Moscow (1991), Princeton University Press and republished in Russia in 2008which he edited.

In addition to Russian history, West has taught courses on the interplay of culture, society, intellectual thought and politics in Russia and Central Europe. He spoke at SFWAF’s first symposium “A Window on Russia” in 2006 and at our 2018 symposium “Values, Myths and Interests: American Foreign Policy in an Unstable World” on “Up Off Our Knees: The Search for a Usable Past for Russia’s Resurgence.” He most recently addressed SFWAF audiences on history of the Ukraine-Russia conflict via web on August 17, 2022.

He most recently spoke on Russia-Ukraine relations for SFWAF in March 2020.

The Mongol Invasion, The Rise of Muscovy and the Cossacks2023-03-01T00:22:27-07:00

The Origins: Kyvian Rus’ and the Mongol Invasion

February 21, 2023

Dr. James L. West

In this free web series for Santa Fe World Affairs Forum members and friends,historian Dr. James L. West explores the troubled relationship between Ukraine and Russia from earliest times to the present war. Join us Tuesdays from 10:30am to noon beginning February 14 for dynamic discussions leading up the Santa Fe World Affairs Forum’s symposium April 13-14 on today’s Russian invasion of Ukraine and its many reverberations.

Dr. West employs art and music to trace the course of the tangled history of Ukraine and Russia through cycles of conquest and subjugation, revolt and emancipation. Beginning with the founding of Kievan Rus, he examines the geography and ecology that entwined the “Wild Field” of the steppes with the “Forested Lands” to the north and the events from which founding mythologies claimed by both Russia and Ukraine are derived.

From these struggles, a modern, forward looking Ukrainian nation emerged against all odds to try to join Europe, only to be confronted by a backward-looking Russia determined to reignite those conflicts and drag Ukraine back into the Eurasian steppes. Herein, perhaps, lies the dynamic of the current war.

Below is the link to register for this series. You only have to register once to receive the information to join via Zoom in meeting format, which allows participants to see and hear each other and interact with Dr. West.

James West

Dr. James L. West a specialist in Russian society, holds a PhD in prerevolutionary Russian history from Princeton University. He taught at the European University in St Petersburg, Russia from 2015-17, the sole remaining private university in the Russian Federation, closed in 2017 by the Russian government in its drive to eliminate western liberal thought in the country.

He was a professor of history and humanities at Middlebury College (1995-2011), and professor of history at Trinity College, Hartford, Conn. (1971-95)

During his academic career, he was the recipient of several prestigious US government grants to conduct and publish research in and on the Soviet Union which resulted in Between Tsar and People (1991) and Merchant Moscow (1991), Princeton University Press and republished in Russia in 2008which he edited.

In addition to Russian history, West has taught courses on the interplay of culture, society, intellectual thought and politics in Russia and Central Europe. He spoke at SFWAF’s first symposium “A Window on Russia” in 2006 and at our 2018 symposium “Values, Myths and Interests: American Foreign Policy in an Unstable World” on “Up Off Our Knees: The Search for a Usable Past for Russia’s Resurgence.” He most recently addressed SFWAF audiences on history of the Ukraine-Russia conflict via web on August 17, 2022.

He most recently spoke on Russia-Ukraine relations for SFWAF in March 2020

If you are not a member but interested in membership, please see our membership page and email sfwaforum@outlook.com for additional information.   

Because we are a 501(c)(3) organization, dues and contributions are tax deductible. 

The Speaker

Dr. James L. West
Dr. James L. WestProfessor of Russian History
Dr. James L. West a specialist in Russian society, holds a PhD in prerevolutionary Russian history from Princeton University. He taught at the European University in St Petersburg, Russia from 2015-17, the sole remaining private university in the Russian Federation, closed in 2017 by the Russian government in its drive to eliminate western liberal thought in the country.

He was a professor of history and humanities at Middlebury College (1995-2011), and professor of history at Trinity College, Hartford, Conn. (1971-95)

During his academic career, he was the recipient of several prestigious US government grants to conduct and publish research in and on the Soviet Union which resulted in Between Tsar and People (1991) and Merchant Moscow (1991), Princeton University Press and republished in Russia in 2008which he edited.

In addition to Russian history, West has taught courses on the interplay of culture, society, intellectual thought and politics in Russia and Central Europe. He spoke at SFWAF’s first symposium “A Window on Russia” in 2006 and at our 2018 symposium “Values, Myths and Interests: American Foreign Policy in an Unstable World” on “Up Off Our Knees: The Search for a Usable Past for Russia’s Resurgence.” He most recently addressed SFWAF audiences on history of the Ukraine-Russia conflict via web on August 17, 2022.

He most recently spoke on Russia-Ukraine relations for SFWAF in March 2020.

The Origins: Kyvian Rus’ and the Mongol Invasion2023-03-01T00:21:55-07:00

Westernization and the Search for a “Russian Soul”

March  14, 2023

Dr. James L. West

In this free web series for Santa Fe World Affairs Forum members and friends,historian Dr. James L. West explores the troubled relationship between Ukraine and Russia from earliest times to the present war. Join us Tuesdays from 10:30am to noon beginning February 14 for dynamic discussions leading up the Santa Fe World Affairs Forum’s symposium April 13-14 on today’s Russian invasion of Ukraine and its many reverberations.

Dr. West employs art and music to trace the course of the tangled history of Ukraine and Russia through cycles of conquest and subjugation, revolt and emancipation. Beginning with the founding of Kievan Rus, he examines the geography and ecology that entwined the “Wild Field” of the steppes with the “Forested Lands” to the north and the events from which founding mythologies claimed by both Russia and Ukraine are derived.

From these struggles, a modern, forward looking Ukrainian nation emerged against all odds to try to join Europe, only to be confronted by a backward-looking Russia determined to reignite those conflicts and drag Ukraine back into the Eurasian steppes. Herein, perhaps, lies the dynamic of the current war.

Below is the link to register for this series. You only have to register once to receive the information to join via Zoom in meeting format, which allows participants to see and hear each other and interact with Dr. West.

James West

Dr. James L. West a specialist in Russian society, holds a PhD in prerevolutionary Russian history from Princeton University. He taught at the European University in St Petersburg, Russia from 2015-17, the sole remaining private university in the Russian Federation, closed in 2017 by the Russian government in its drive to eliminate western liberal thought in the country.

He was a professor of history and humanities at Middlebury College (1995-2011), and professor of history at Trinity College, Hartford, Conn. (1971-95)

During his academic career, he was the recipient of several prestigious US government grants to conduct and publish research in and on the Soviet Union which resulted in Between Tsar and People (1991) and Merchant Moscow (1991), Princeton University Press and republished in Russia in 2008which he edited.

In addition to Russian history, West has taught courses on the interplay of culture, society, intellectual thought and politics in Russia and Central Europe. He spoke at SFWAF’s first symposium “A Window on Russia” in 2006 and at our 2018 symposium “Values, Myths and Interests: American Foreign Policy in an Unstable World” on “Up Off Our Knees: The Search for a Usable Past for Russia’s Resurgence.” He most recently addressed SFWAF audiences on history of the Ukraine-Russia conflict via web on August 17, 2022.

He most recently spoke on Russia-Ukraine relations for SFWAF in March 2020

If you are not a member but interested in membership, please see our membership page and email sfwaforum@outlook.com for additional information.   

Because we are a 501(c)(3) organization, dues and contributions are tax deductible. 

The Speaker

Dr. James L. West
Dr. James L. WestProfessor of Russian History
Dr. James L. West a specialist in Russian society, holds a PhD in prerevolutionary Russian history from Princeton University. He taught at the European University in St Petersburg, Russia from 2015-17, the sole remaining private university in the Russian Federation, closed in 2017 by the Russian government in its drive to eliminate western liberal thought in the country.

He was a professor of history and humanities at Middlebury College (1995-2011), and professor of history at Trinity College, Hartford, Conn. (1971-95)

During his academic career, he was the recipient of several prestigious US government grants to conduct and publish research in and on the Soviet Union which resulted in Between Tsar and People (1991) and Merchant Moscow (1991), Princeton University Press and republished in Russia in 2008which he edited.

In addition to Russian history, West has taught courses on the interplay of culture, society, intellectual thought and politics in Russia and Central Europe. He spoke at SFWAF’s first symposium “A Window on Russia” in 2006 and at our 2018 symposium “Values, Myths and Interests: American Foreign Policy in an Unstable World” on “Up Off Our Knees: The Search for a Usable Past for Russia’s Resurgence.” He most recently addressed SFWAF audiences on history of the Ukraine-Russia conflict via web on August 17, 2022.

He most recently spoke on Russia-Ukraine relations for SFWAF in March 2020.

Westernization and the Search for a “Russian Soul”2023-03-17T02:46:26-07:00

Breakdown: Lessons For A Congress In Crisis

February 23, 2023

Jeff Bingaman

SFWAF program with Jeff Bingaman, former US Senator, New Mexico discussing his new book “BREAKDOWN: LESSONS FOR A CONGRESS IN CRISIS”.

“I will explain the main points I make in the book, both about the problems I saw develop in the workings of Congress, and about the increased pressures members of Congress face as they try to act in the public interest. I will also discuss eight of the challenges Congress tried to deal with—where we succeeded and where we failed.”

Jeff Bingaman was born on October 3, 1943. He grew up in the southwestern New Mexico community of Silver City. His father was a chemistry professor and chair of the science department at Western New Mexico University. His mother taught in the public schools.

After graduating from Western (now Silver) High School in 1961, Jeff attended Harvard College and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in government in 1965. He then entered Stanford Law School where he met, and later married, fellow law student Anne Kovacovich.

Upon earning his law degree from Stanford in 1968, Jeff and Anne returned to New Mexico. They have one son, John.

After law school, Jeff spent one year as a New Mexico Assistant Attorney General and eight years in private law practice in Santa Fe. He ran for Attorney General of New Mexico in 1978 and served four years in that position. In 1982 voters elected him to the United States Senate. At the end of his fifth term, he chose not to seek re-election and completed his service in the Senate on January 3, 2013.

At the time of his retirement from the Senate, he was chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. He also served on the Finance Committee, the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and the Joint Economic Committee.

Beginning In April 2013, he spent a year as a Distinguished Fellow with the Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance at Stanford Law School.

In 2015, he taught a seminar on the functioning of Congress in the Honors College at the University of New Mexico. In 2022, the University of New Mexico Press published his book, BREAKDOWN: Lessons for a Congress in Crisis.

Jeff and Anne live in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Location:

SFCC Board Room (#223) is in the West Wing (Administration Building). The college is located at 6401 Richards Avenue, Santa Fe, NM 87508. Enter through the building’s main entrance (on the left side of the building behind the flag poles). The Board Room is on the corridor to the left of the Campus Center.

Directions:

From Rodeo Road turn south onto Richards Avenue. Turn into the campus main drive. Parking lots are in front of the building. From I-25 take the Cerrillos Road exit, turn east onto Governor Miles Road and then right onto Richards Avenue. Then follow directions above.

The SFWAF program is from 12:00 noon – 2:00 pm.

Cost for the SFWAF lunch event is $25 for members and $35 for nonmembers.

Pay with Paypal

Registration: This SFWAF lunch is $25 for members and $35 for nonmembers. You may pay by check made out to SFWAF and mailed to The Santa Fe World Affairs Forum, Santa Fe, PO Box 31965, NM 87594 or with a credit card using our Paypal account.  Please indicate on your check or if using Paypal please note in “add special instructions to the seller” that your payment is for the Thursday, February 23, 2023 program.  If you are not a member please also include your best contact information. If you are interested in membership, please email us.

Payment for this program is non-refundable after Friday February 17, 2023 if you are unable to attend.  We strongly prefer that payment be made by Paypal or check postmarked by Friday February 17, 2023 at the latest to facilitate check in. It is also very helpful if you are sending a check to email us at sfwaforum@outlook.com to let us know you plan to attend.

If you are not a member but interested in membership, please see our membership page and email sfwaforum@outlook.com for additional information.   

Because we are a 501(c)(3) organization, dues and contributions are tax deductible. 

For pricing and reservations, click here: https://sfwaf.org/payment/

The Speaker

Jeff Bingaman
Jeff BingamanFormer United States Senator from New Mexico
Jeff Bingaman was born on October 3, 1943. He grew up in the southwestern New Mexico community of Silver City. His father was a chemistry professor and chair of the science department at Western New Mexico University. His mother taught in the public schools.

After graduating from Western (now Silver) High School in 1961, Jeff attended Harvard College and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in government in 1965. He then entered Stanford Law School where he met and later married, fellow law student Anne Kovacovich.

Upon earning his law degree from Stanford in 1968, Jeff and Anne returned to New Mexico. They have one son, John.

After law school, Jeff spent one year as a New Mexico Assistant Attorney General and eight years in private law practice in Santa Fe. He ran for Attorney General of New Mexico in 1978 and served four years in that position. In 1982 voters elected him to the United States Senate. At the end of his fifth term, he chose not to seek re-election and completed his service in the Senate on January 3, 2013.

At the time of his retirement from the Senate, he was chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. He also served on the Finance Committee, the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and the Joint Economic Committee.

Beginning In April 2013, he spent a year as a Distinguished Fellow with the Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance at Stanford Law School.

In 2015, he taught a seminar on the functioning of Congress in the Honors College at the University of New Mexico. In 2022, the University of New Mexico Press published his book, BREAKDOWN: Lessons for a Congress in Crisis.

Jeff and Anne live in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Breakdown: Lessons For A Congress In Crisis2023-03-01T00:22:46-07:00
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