Leadership panel

Voice of a Lion

Leadership Panel: Going deep with Mark Herman, Captain Pete Golden, John Seaver, and Brian Colón

Mark Herman: CEO of Dion’s and Tula’s Kitchen, Chair of Vistage New Mexico. An Albuquerque native, Mark began his career at Dion’s as a pizza maker in 1987. After earning a BA in Economics from UNM, he briefly ventured into finance but returned to Dion’s, where he rose through the ranks to become CEO in 2013. Mark is dedicated to helping others succeed and is actively involved in organizations like Horizons Albuquerque and the Golden Apple Foundation of New Mexico. Under his leadership, Dion’s expanded regionally and launched Tula’s Kitchen in 2022.

Captain Pete Golden: Commander of the Professional Standards and Training Division at Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. A New Mexico native with a long-standing career in law enforcement, Pete joined the Sheriff’s Office in 2002. He has served as a Violent Crimes and Homicide Detective and has over 16 years of experience as a police instructor. Pete is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command. He currently oversees the BCSO’s training, recruiting, and professional standards, ensuring that the department upholds the highest levels of integrity and excellence.

John Seaver: Founder of Just Sprinklers and owner of American Leak Detection franchise. Originally from Milwaukee, John moved to Albuquerque in 1983 and earned a Business degree from UNM. He started Just Sprinklers in 1996, expanding it to seven locations across three cities. In 2003, he acquired a plumbing franchise, further growing his business portfolio. John's vision has always been centered on family, and his companies now help support over 100 families. His latest venture is a nursery and garden center in Santa Fe, continuing his commitment to business growth and community support.

Brian Colón: CEO and former State Auditor of New Mexico. With over 30 years of experience in public service, nonprofit leadership, and law, Brian is known for his empowering, servant-leader style. As State Auditor, he led initiatives that recovered over $13M for New Mexico seniors and improved ADA compliance across state facilities. Brian has a robust network in philanthropy, law, and politics, and is an active speaker at numerous nonprofit events. His personal experiences, including supporting his father who had Muscular Dystrophy, have fueled his commitment to fundraising and advocacy for individuals with disabilities.