UTEP Announces 2026 Distinguished Alumnus, Gold Nugget Honorees
Honorees display excellence and impact in the El Paso community and beyond
EL PASO, Texas (July 17, 2026) – The University of Texas at El Paso has selected one Distinguished Alumnus and nine Gold Nugget Award recipients who will be honored during University’s 2026 Homecoming celebration this September 20-26.
“This year marks the 75th anniversary of honoring our most distinguished graduates, whose lives and careers reflect the true value of a UTEP education,” said UTEP President Heather Wilson. “We are proud to celebrate these ten remarkable Miners who continue to make a profound difference in their communities and professions.”
The annual Distinguished Alumni and Gold Nugget awards represent the highest caliber honor for UTEP alumni who demonstrate excellence, service and professionalism in their communities and careers.
2026 Distinguished Alumnus
The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor given to UTEP alumni, with award recipients dating as far back as 1950. This year, UTEP recognizes business executive Mike Brochu.
Michael “Mike” Brochu
BBA in Accounting, 1974
Woody L. Hunt College of Business
A seasoned executive and business leader, Mike Brochu has guided growth and transformation across the energy, technology and investment sectors. After earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1974 from what is now the Woody L. Hunt College of Business, he began his career at El Paso Natural Gas (EPNG), where he advanced through a series of leadership roles. When EPNG was acquired by Burlington Northern Inc. in 1983, he was named vice president.
In 1994, Brochu transitioned to the technology sector, joining Sierra Online as president and chief operating officer. He led the company’s $1.2 billion sale in 1996 and went on to hold executive positions at several technology firms, overseeing growth and transformation that ultimately culminated in acquisitions by industry leaders like WebMD, Oracle and Nokia.
Brochu currently serves as a senior adviser for Red Door Capital Partners LLC, sits on the boards of directors of Vines of Mendoza and Basis Global Technologies LL, and advises investment firms including BelHealth Investment Partners and Voyager Capital.
2026 Gold Nugget Award Recipients
Each year, remarkable alumni are selected from UTEP’s eight colleges and schools. These alumni are presented with the Gold Nugget award for their professional accomplishments and lasting community impact.
The 2026 Gold Nugget Award Recipients are:
- Robert “Bobby” Gonzales
- John T. Hjalmquist
- Tasha Phillina Hopper, MSN
- Juan Martinez, Ed.D.
- Christian M. Salas, LMSW
- Juan Sanchez
- Yolanda Sanchez, Ph.D.
- Glenda Villatoro
- Tracy J. Yellen, MPA
Robert “Bobby” Gonzales
B.S. in Civil Engineering, 1985
Miguel A. Loya College of Engineering
Early hands-on experience helped shape Robert “Bobby” Gonzales’ approach to civil engineering and set the foundation for a career focused on regional impact. In 1985, he earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from what is now known as the Miguel A. Loya College of Engineering, benefiting from internships that supported his early professional development.
Following graduation, Gonzales continued working in construction and field operations, gaining expertise that guided his work as a civil engineer. He currently serves as president and senior project manager of Quantum Engineering Consultants Inc. He has led the firm for over two decades, overseeing infrastructure, development and institutional projects across Texas and New Mexico.
Gonzales remains closely connected to UTEP, mentoring engineering students, delivering guest lectures and serving on the College of Engineering Advisory Board. He previously served as president of the UTEP Alumni Association and remains active in local initiatives focused on sustainable transportation, recreation and community development.
John T. Hjalmquist, CPA
BBA in Accounting, 1978
Hunt College of Business
A leader behind some of the region’s most recognizable brands, John T. Hjalmquist, CPA has built a career grounded in business leadership and community engagement. Initially planning to pursue a career in dentistry, he discovered a stronger interest in business. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from the Hunt College of Business in 1978.
Hjalmquist began his career at Ernst & Young and currently is President/CEO of the companies that own Peter Piper Pizza, Applebee’s and BOSS Tenders, Dogs & Custard across Texas and New Mexico. Over a 40-year tenure, he advanced from controller and chief financial officer to president. He remains active in the El Paso community, currently serving on the UTEP Hunt Business Leadership Council, mentoring students through the Hunt Business Career Plan and serving on the boards of the UMC/El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundations and the Borderplex Alliance.
Tasha Phillina Hopper, MSN
B.S. in Nursing, 1998; M.S. in Nursing Systems Management, 2012
College of Nursing
Long before serving as chief executive officer at The Hospitals of Providence East Campus, Tasha Phillina Hopper was already living her lifelong dream as a labor and delivery nurse, caring for patients during some of the most important moments of their lives. This passion and empathy for patients led Hopper to a career in health administration.
Hopper graduated from the UTEP College of Nursing with her Bachelor of Science in nursing in 1998, and continued building her career in healthcare, eventually transitioning into health administration. To further develop her leadership skills and expertise, she returned to UTEP to earn a Master of Science in Nursing Systems Management in 2012.
Hopper went on to lead the construction and opening of The Hospitals of Providence Transmountain Campus. Her leadership has expanded access to quality healthcare across the El Paso region. Additionally, she serves the community through board appointments with several organizations, including the El Paso Chamber of Commerce.
Juan Martinez, Ed.D.
BBA in Computer Information Systems, 1993; M.Ed. in Educational Administration, 1996; Ed.D. in Educational Administration, 2017
Hunt College of Business, College of Education
For Juan Martinez, Ed.D., attending UTEP was always the goal. After financial challenges led him to postpone that dream and spend several years working in California, he returned to El Paso, determined to attend El Paso Community College and ultimately transfer to UTEP. A first-generation college student, he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Hunt College of Business before completing a teacher certification, Master of Education and Doctor of Education from the UTEP College of Education.
Martinez has dedicated his career to serving students and families across the El Paso region. After roles as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, director of personnel services and chief human resources officer, he was named superintendent of Clint Independent School District in 2013. He was a finalist for Texas Superintendent of the Year in 2018.
A strong advocate for UTEP, Martinez promotes educational partnerships and college access opportunities throughout his district.
Christian M. Salas, LMSW
BMS, 2012; BSW, 2014; MSW, 2016
College of Liberal Arts, College of Health Sciences
Christian M. Salas’ path to social work was anything but linear, marked by exploration across disciplines before he found his calling in service. He began at UTEP in civil engineering before pursuing music, graduating in 2012 with a Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies. Guided by personal experiences, including advocating for his sister, who has Down syndrome, and supporting his single mother, he returned to earn a Bachelor of Social Work in 2014 and a Master of Social Work in 2016, both from the UTEP College of Health Sciences.
Today, Salas is a leader and mentor in his field, serving as an associate professor of social work at El Paso Community College. There, he leads efforts surrounding student mental health and community outreach. He also serves on the Region 10 Texas State Board of the National Association of Social Workers and sits on the board of directors of local organizations, including Project Vida and Family Services of El Paso.
Juan Sanchez
B.S. in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, 1994; M.S. in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, 1996
Miguel A. Loya College of Engineering
Juan Sanchez knew he wanted to be an engineer in high school, and attending a summer engineering camp at UTEP helped him discover his path in metallurgical engineering. As a first-generation college student, support from scholarships and research opportunities helped him earn a Bachelor of Science in 1994 and a Master of Science in 1996, both in metallurgical and materials engineering, from the Loya College of Engineering.
Sanchez began his career with mining company Phelps Dodge, now Freeport-McMoRan, and he has spent 30 years advancing from a process engineer to director of customer technical marketing. He remains closely connected to UTEP, regularly recruiting students, mentoring interns and supporting academic programs through his service on the Metallurgical, Materials and Biomedical Engineering Industry Advisory Board. Through his leadership and engagement, Sanchez continues to strengthen partnerships between the industry and UTEP while supporting the next generation of engineers.
Yolanda Sanchez, Ph.D.
B.S. in Biological Sciences, 1987
College of Science
After discovering a passion for biomedical research at UTEP, Yolanda Sanchez, Ph.D., built a distinguished career in cancer research. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from the College of Science in 1987, graduating summa cum laude and conducting undergraduate research that shaped her career.
Following her studies at UTEP, Sanchez completed doctoral and postdoctoral research in cancer genetics at MD Anderson Cancer Center and Baylor College of Medicine. She held faculty positions at the University of Cincinnati and Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine, where she served as associate director of basic sciences at Dartmouth Cancer Center.
Recognized as the first Hispanic woman to lead a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sanchez currently serves as director and CEO of the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center. She also serves on the board of directors of the Association of American Cancer Institutes and on the external advisory boards of leading cancer centers nationwide.
Glenda Villatoro
B.S. in Nursing
College of Nursing
As chief operating officer of Del Sol Medical Center, Glenda Villatoro has enhanced quality and operational efficiency to improve outcomes for employees and patients alike. Villatoro has served as a distinguished leader in the El Paso community for more than 25 years. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UTEP in 1998 and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix in 2001. In 2015, she became board-certified as a nurse executive through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Villatoro began her career as a registered nurse in orthopedics and neurosurgery, gaining experience across multiple specialties before moving into leadership roles and advancing to executive positions, including her current role as Chief Operating Officer. She is also active in the community, previously serving with the Southwest Healthcare Executives Association, American Cancer Society, Rio Grande Cancer Foundation and El Paso Community College Radiation Therapy Advisory Committee.
Tracy J. Yellen, MPA
MPA, 1995
College of Liberal Arts
Tracy J. Yellen serves as the chief executive officer of the Paso del Norte Health Foundation and Paso del Norte Community Foundation. Yellen has built a career focused on cultivating philanthropy and advancing quality of life in the binational, tri-state region of El Paso, Texas. Her experience spans more than 30 years in both the nonprofit and government sectors. She is an active member of the El Paso community having served on multiple boards, including the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas-El Paso Branch, University Medical Center of El Paso, ReadyOne Industries, and Fundación Paso del Norte in Juárez.
Yellen completed her undergraduate studies at The Johns Hopkins University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in international studies. In 1995, she graduated from the UTEP College of Liberal Arts with a Master of Public Administration.
In her role as CEO of the PdN Foundations, she has championed UTEP, providing over $12 million in grants and scholarships for her alma mater.
Last Updated on July 17, 2026 at 12:00 AM | Originally published July 17, 2026
By MC Staff UTEP Marketing and Communications
