John & Julia Heaton
John Heaton
is a pharmacy graduate from the University of New Mexico and Fellow in the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists. He owned and operated several pharmacies in southern New Mexico. As chairman of the hospital board, he was instrumental in the merging of St. Francis and Memorial hospitals into a new facility and repurposed the old sites to benefit the community. He served in the New Mexico Legislature from 1997 to 2010, representing District 55, where he chaired several committees and was a key legislator on issues like education, healthcare, and business development.
Notable achievements include Katie's Law, funding for the Carlsbad Battered Families Shelter, and the National Cave Karst Research Institute. He also supported the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant and led various community initiatives post-legislature, including the Center for Environmental Health Monitoring and Management, and the conversion of the community college to Southeast New Mexico College. Known for his meticulous approach, Heaton's contributions have had a lasting impact on Carlsbad and New Mexico.
Julia Heaton
earned a Bachelor's in Education from the University of New Mexico and completed graduate work at multiple New Mexico universities. She taught at Monterrey Elementary from 1973 to 1996, recognized as one of the district's top teachers. Julia was a leader in the Local Teacher Association, helping develop Carlsbad's first Collective Bargaining Contract and improving teachers' salaries through advanced degrees. She founded the "Volunteers in Public Schools" program to strengthen school-home connections.
Heaton also served on the New Mexico Public School Insurance Authority, where she helped establish the Retiree Healthcare Authority. She was involved in the National Board for Professional Standards-Middle Generalist Committee, shaping national teacher certification tests.
Active in the Carlsbad community, Julia chaired Operation School Bell for the Assistance League, served on the Carlsbad Museum's Fine Arts Committee, and was president of the Library Board, She played numerous roles at Grace Episcopal Church. A passionate advocate for the arts, Julia supported local artists and galleries, contributing to the creation of the Arts Council and Creative Carlsbad. Her major project, the Halagueno Arts Park, a 23-year endeavor, showcases her dedication to enhancing the community with a vibrant inner-city visual and performing arts park.
Julia Heaton has been and continues to be the driving force behind the development of the Halagueno Arts Park.