2026 NMHBA Elected Officer Candidates

Jim French is the Vice President / Purchasing for French Brothers Homes. A lifelong resident of Alamogordo, Jim started in residential home building in 1978. He served as the President of the Building Contractors Association of Otero County in 2006 and was a member of the 2005 NMHBA Board of Directors.

Jim has always been active in the community, serving in many capacities. He supported his kids as their Little League baseball coach and was very active in the high school Sports Boosters Club. Board directorships include the Chamber of Commerce, Committee of Fifty and MainGate United. He also served on the Alamogordo School Board for 8 years. His passions are spending time with his wife Robin, 4 children and 4 grandkids, golf, flying, and home building.

Josh Shultz is the Vice President of Zachary & Sons Homes and is tasked with the day-to-day operations. From coordinating with sub-contractors, vendors, architects, and homeowners, Josh is involved on every level of the company and home building process. Josh has a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban and Environmental Planning from Arizona State University, graduating in 2011. The family structure of Zachary and Sons is integral to Josh and the company. Approaching each project as a family has allowed them to train and be successful in completing luxury custom homes. Josh loves spending time with his family, hiking in the mountains, and skiing at Ski Santa Fe in the winter.

Diana Lucero is Vice President of Construction Lending at New Mexico Bank & Trust. Currently serving as the NMHBA Associate V.P., she is also a member of the Government Affairs Committee and the Finance Committee. Diana is active with her Local – HBA of Central New Mexico – currently serving on their Board of Directors as Advisory Board Member. She is also on the Golf Committee, Parade of Homes Committee, and the Bowling Fundraising Committee. She is very involved at the National level. She is the NM State Rep, Past National Associate Chair (NAC), Past Associate Committee Chair/Executive Committee Member, Past NAHBR Business Associates Chair, Past Remodelers Council Trustee, sat on the CGB Board of Governors and sits on the NAHB’s Board of Directors (Life Director), Leadership Council, Conventions & Meetings Committee, Membership Committee (2nd Vice-Chair) and NAHB BUILD-PAC Board of Trustee.

She has earned Certified Aging in Place Specialist, Certified Green Professional and Certified Graduate Associate designations through NAHB.

Diana sits on the Board of the NM Mortgage Lenders Association and the CNM Accounting and Finance Advisory Committee. She continues to be active and participates in many community events and loves spending time with her grandchildren.

JP Rael is the Vice President of Operations and Sales Manager at Westway Homes. With more than 30 years of sales and leadership experience—spanning the ski industry, medical sales, and real estate—and over 20 years dedicated to new home construction, JP Rael brings deep industry expertise and operational insight to his role. At Westway Homes, he leads strategic growth, emphasizes quality craftsmanship, and champions energy-efficient building through initiatives like the Eco Series.

An alumnus of the University of California, Los Angeles, JP has served on the HBA of CNM Board of Directors for six years and currently is their 2025 President. He believes in building not just homes, but relationships and community.

Outside of work, JP enjoys coaching basketball. Family is at the heart of everything JP does. Teresa, his wife of 33 years, and their daughter Ryann are his greatest sources of inspiration and support, reminding him daily of the purpose behind his work and the importance of building lasting legacies.