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"Intel"ligent Women
by Sabra Brown Steinsiek
New Mexico’s Intel site in Rio Rancho has 5,050 employees.
Almost a third of these are women. When New Mexico WOMAN chose to
mark Intel’s 25th birthday with a celebration of their women
employees, we were grateful that the decision as to who would be
featured was Intel’s. We would never have been able to make the
choice.
 Laporta Engelbrecht is engineering manager at F11X where she
supervises more than one hundred process engineers in Intel’s first
300mm High Volume manufacturing facility. Her group is responsible
for improving new high volume processes and supporting the factory
with innovative engineering solutions.
Laporta is a native of Cape Town, South Africa. She is the only one
of her family to leave South Africa and the family career of
medicine. She completed her B.S. in physics at the University of
Pretoria and, while doing graduate work, she interned at the only
semiconductor company in South Africa. “I enjoyed the work so much
that I wanted to work for a leading semiconductor
company. They were all in the U.S.” At the end of 1982, she bought a
one-way ticket, packed five suitcases and her cat, and moved to
California. A year later she joined Intel.
While she moved to Albuquerque only 21/2 years ago, her 21-year
career at Intel often had her working at the Rio Rancho site.
“Albuquerque has grown tremendously in the last 21 years. It
provides a small city environment and great weather for a family
that likes the outdoors.”
That family includes husband Michael Favaro, also an Intel manager,
their 12-year-old son Riann, and a menagerie of four dogs, five
cats, and two horses. They reside on a 10-acre “mini-farm” in the
East Mountains. “Time at home is relaxing and allows me to
decompress from the high excitement atmosphere of Intel.”
Laporta works at promoting diversity and increasing the number of
females in technology. “Intel has provided opportunities to me and
many others,” she says. She started the Technical Women’s Group at
F11X to provide women an opportunity to network, make friends,
mentor, and learn from each other. They sponsor company-wide events
for the technical women at Intel.
She includes a little advice on combining career and motherhood.
“It’s always a challenge but many of my skills are common to both—
good organization, flexibility, and innovative solutions. I have
been fortunate that I have been able to do, and be fulfilled in,
both career and motherhood.”
 Roberta Garcia, human resources senior staffing consultant, works at
the local Intel site and is senior staffing consultant and staffing
team leader for Technology Manufacturing Business Groups (TMG) in
the U.S. Region (New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Oregon, California,
New Jersey, and Massachusetts).
She was manager of the New Mexico Residency Hiring Goal to hire 60
percent of new hires from among New Mexico residents. Under her
leadership, the goal has exceeded that requirement.
She received Intel Achievement Awards, known as “Intel’s Nobel
Prize,” in 1988 and in 1994. She was also the recipient of a TMG
Excellence Award in 2000. Roberta previously worked at the United
Way of Central New Mexico and continues to support United Way and
Intel’s volunteer programs.
It was fate, she believes, when she was recommended for a temporary
position in human resources. It became full time and permanent and
has lasted for 21 years. She is a certified Human Resources
Professional and a Certified Intel Instructor
in Behavioral Interviewing. “I am fortunate to have had great
mentors.”
She notes that, “Success comes from hard work, versatility, and
integrity. Be strong when you’re faced with adversity. Be persistent
when you believe in something. Do not let things keep you down; get
right back up.” Roberta has been married to Randy Garcia for 22
years. They enjoy bike rides, summer boating, and jet skiing. “My
husband is my best friend.”
Her most important mentor is her “magnificent and charismatic
Mother.” With roots and traditions from her mother’s Chama
upbringing and her father’s La Joya home, Roberta is “proud to be a
native New Mexican.” She remembers Sundays in La Joya when her
grandmother fed the family with the best New Mexican food and
homemade tortillas and bread. “My father would play is guitar and
grandpa would play his accordion, and they would sing traditional
New Mexican Spanish music. What makes me who I am are the lessons
and experiences from my parents.”
 Mindy Koch is the New Mexico Site Environmental, Health, and Safety
Manager at Intel. She and her team develop and implement EHS
programs and services, taking her into all areas of Intel.
After serving as an intern at Intel, she earned her B.S. in
electrical engineering from UNM and was hired into the rotational
engineering program at Intel when she graduated. She had four
short-term assignments, one in EHS that led to the permanent
position she now fills. “I found I really liked the variety of work
and the many different people.”
“EHS is a great field if you care about people and the environment,”
she advises young women. “It’s important to check out any career, so
you know what you’re getting into. Summer jobs in your field will
make it easier to find a job after graduation. Find a school that
offers a degree program that appeals to you and go for it.”
Intel encourages community and charitable activities. Mindy is
coleader of her daughter’s Girl Scout troop which offers experiences
ranging from arts and crafts to exposure to other cultures and,
Mindy’s favorite, camping.
“My department usually volunteers for outdoor projects. I remember
planting the wetlands at Haynes Park, across the street from Intel.
We were wading around in squishy mud, laughing, and having a blast.”
Mindy is a native of Albuquerque, a graduate of Manzano High School
and UNM. She and Larry, her husband of 16 years, live with daughter,
Alix, and two yellow Labs. Mindy loves cooking and her husband
claims she “can cook in six languages.” She has a collection of over
200 cookbooks, including current as well as vintage cookbooks from
the ’30s and ’40s. She even has her grandmother’s recipe cards from
a high school home-ec class.
“I believe life is too short to be doing things you don’t like to do
… so I choose to spend my time with family and a few close friends
and in doing a job I love. And it doesn’t hurt that I like to cook
for all of them.”
 Natasha Martell works in public affairs and media relations. Her
favorite quote is “Change is hard because people overestimate the
value of what they have and underestimate the value of what they may
gain by giving that up” (Robert E. Quinn). It’s perfect for a woman
who left her job in Chicago and moved to New Mexico. “I realized I
couldn’t take another winter,” she says. “Luckily, it was a good
time to jump-start my career.” New Mexico won her over with the
landscapes, friendly people, and the
weather.
Before her senior year at New Mexico State University, Natasha did
an internship with Intel and earned a scholarship. With a B.S. in
mechanical engineering, Natasha came to Intel five years ago as a
night shift manufacturing supervisor. “Working nights is a unique
experience,” she notes. “A night team is a ‘tighter’ crew. You
develop a special bond. While we take care of business first and
foremost, we always keep each other laughing.” Natasha is now doing
a rotation in public affairs, focusing on communications and media
relations with Augusta Meyers, formerly of KOAT-TV, as her mentor.
She’s considering a second master’s degree in broadcast journalism
after she graduates from the executive MBA program at UNM’s Anderson
Schools of Management.
Her advice to young women: “Don’t try to figure it out on your own.
There is much to learn from those with experience. A mentor can help
you make the best choices as you progress through your career.”
Last year she ran the Disney World Marathon and, in 2001, won first
place at the National Physique Committee Mid-USA Ms. Fitness
competition. Natasha enjoys working out, dancing, traveling, and
interior decorating, but, with school and job leaving her little
free time, she likes to relax with friends or spend an occasional
afternoon at a spa. A Leadership Giver to the United
Way, Natasha also makes time to support Albuquerque’s Habitat for
Humanity. “What makes me who I am is my focus and drive. I truly
believe that it’s important to continually challenge myself and set
new goals—that’s what makes life exciting.”
 Cheri Solomon is director of business operations for Fab/Sort
Manufacturing and is originally from Waukegan, Illinois. Cheri
earned her degree in urban and regional planning from the University
of Illinois and her MBA with a specialization in finance and
operations at the University of Michigan. Recruited directly from
Michigan by current Intel CEO, Paul Otellini, she worked for 12
years at the corporate headquarters in Santa Clara, California.
A transfer brought her to New Mexico. She says, “This city is just
the right size and has great attributes—friendly people, warm
and sunny climate, and the sky is fantastic. It feels great to be
close to Mother Nature. What I really like is the snow—it looks
beautiful and melts quickly—unlike Chicago where it’s cold and gray
for days with piles of dirty snow.”
Cheri Solomon and husband, Tom, a fellow Intel employee, lead a
hectic life around the December holidays. All three of their girls,
Martina (18) and Julie and Claire (15-yr-old identical twins), were
born on December 22. The family loves to travel. Cheri’s last
sabbatical took them to ten countries in Europe and Asia. Cheri
reads, plays piano, and “occasionally” skis with her girls.
“I was an only child,” she says. “My father was an independent
businessman, and I loved to travel with him on business trips where
I got an early start on being the ‘people person’ I am today.”
Cheri is a member of the United Way Women in Philanthropy Board and
an active member of the New Mexico Symphony
Foundation where she serves on the board, the executive committee,
and chairs the finance committee. “My big causes,” she says, “are
education, civil rights, and international causes like Habitat for
Humanity.” She also supports Albuquerque Academy, Manzano Day
School, and serves on the corporate advisory panel of the University
of Michigan’s Business School.
Her advice to women is to “find something you love to do. Take
risks, particularly early in your career. Be tenacious and lead with
integrity.”
This is just a small representation of the enormous role women have
played and continue to play in the 25-year history of New Mexico’s
Intel Site. With a strong commitment to their community and a
dedication to mentoring, these women are only the most current
representatives in what is and looks to continue as a long success
story for women and Intel.
FACTS ABOUT INTEL
(Based on 2004 reports at
http://www.intel.com) Intel opened in 1980 with 25 employees and
after 25 years they employ more than 5,000. 60 percent of the work
force is hired from within NM, making Intel the largest private
industrial
employer in NM with an annual payroll of $302 million. Local
purchasing has topped $132 million. The facility opened with one
40,000-square-foot building and presently has more than four million
square feet of manufacturing and office space and two manufacturing
plants. Intel and employees donated $2.2 million to the United Way,
and employees donated 27,781 volunteer hours. Intel donates $200 for
every 20 hours of employee involvement in NM schools. In 2004, 643
employees donated 17,000 hours to earn $165,400 for state schools.
Intel funded the construction of Rio Rancho High School and supports
programs at Albuquerque Technical-Vocational Institute, UNM, and the
Santa Fe Indian School. Intel provided technology training for 7,600
teachers throughout NM and trains teachers worldwide (more than
300,000 to date) in the Teach To The Future Program. Intel created
the Intel Computer Clubhouse to help under-served youth. Intel’s
International Science and Engineering Fair is the world’s largest
pre-college science competition
providing more than $3 million in awards and scholarships. The Intel
Science Talent Search is considered the “Junior Nobel Prize.” The
Journey Inside is a collection of online lessons in computer
education.
(http://www.intel.com/education/journey/)
The Innovation Odyssey reports on worldwide technology teaching. (http://www97.intel.com/odyssey)
Intel donates to the National Hispanic Cultural Center, Explora!
Science Center and Children’s Museum, human service organizations,
and Hawkwatch International. Intel sponsors New Mexico WOMAN’s Young
Women of Promise Awards. Intel takes requests for volunteers and
provides information to employees. For Intel’s criteria, go to
http://www.intel.com/community/volunteer_criteria.htm
Guided tours are available for groups. (505)
893-TOUR (893-8687).
Sabra Brown Steinsiek is a regular contributor to New Mexico WOMAN
and author of the prize winning Taylor Morgan Trilogy. She has
recently published a book of poetry, Red Velvet Shoes: Contemporary
Haiku. She can be reached through her website
http://www.sabrasteinsiek.com)
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Savvy Survivial Secrets
from Nob Hills "Body Queen"
by Lisa Polisar
Photos by Geistlight Photography
There are specialty stores ... and then there are SPECIALty
stores.Martha’s Body Bueno, a natural body-care store in the heart
of Nob Hill, is celebrating its 30-year anniversary in July.
Ever wonder about Nob Hill? I mean how a tattoo parlor can exist for
decades across from a women’s clothing store? Nob Hill sells
everything imaginable—new clothes, vintage clothes, tattoos,
cameras, books, paper, CDs, groceries, art, Buddhas, jewelry,
Persian rugs, foreign films, and coffee. Location is everything, and
part of what gives this historic neighborhood its “funky” guise is
the haphazard arrangement of these unique venues. Upscale bistros
like Graze and Zinc balance a deluge of happening eateries, like the
new Crazy Fish and Sig’s. But Nob Hill just wouldn’t be Nob Hill
without its wide array of alternative stores. Its eclecticism is a
welcome respite from cookie cutter chains, shopping malls, and
superstores. And unlike the typical, Western strip-mall sprawl, Nob
Hill is a real neighborhood, a central hub of action and commerce
where people go for something different.
It attracts students, local area residents, beatniks, yuppies, and
everyone in between. For one thing, all but two of Nob Hill’s
establishments are locally owned independent businesses. That’s big.
And what’s even bigger is that one of them is celebrating its
30-year anniversary next month.
Martha Doster, owner and proprietor of Martha’s Body Bueno, launched
her vision in 1975. Her store quickly became known as the first
holistic body-care establishment in Albuquerque. The former
bartender/massage therapist was completely unprepared for her
success. “I didn’t really know what I was doing back then,” says
Martha, “but there weren’t any other businesses like this and it
seemed like the right thing to do.”
Her Niche
Martha first opened her store in the current location of Walgreens
and established herself as the city’s first body-care retailer,
selling lotions, massage oil, makeup, and jewelry. She was a pioneer
in more than one area. In 1975, Albuquerque was far from
enlightened. So an alternative body-care store owned by a woman took
a tremendous leap of faith. But Martha had a passion and a vision,
and sticking to it has earned her the reputation of being one of Nob
Hill’s most progressive and successful
business owners. Since moving to her current location in 1984, she
has developed her own line of body-care products, most of which she
manufactures herself.
What is her vision? To offer products that encourage people to care
for their bodies. But more than that, Body Bueno sells products that
stimulate the senses, treat the body, and soothe the soul. Her
product lines include lotions, massage oils, bath products, and
facial care, as well as custom fragrances, candles, jewelry, naughty
lingerie, collectibles, and accessories. For men, she sells shaving
products, colognes, lotions, and soaps. Martha prides herself on
offering holistic body products.
 That means using the finest, naturally derived, chemically-free, and
biodegradable ingredients in recyclable packaging.
Sporting one of her signature hats and a smile that makes her look
ten years younger than her age, Martha was willing to share her
success secrets with me over Buddha Bowls at Nob Hill’s Flying Star
Cafe. When I asked about her best-selling product after 30 years,
she didn’t hesitate. “Almond Massage Oil. It’s manufactured and
packaged on the premises; it’s available in four sizes and people
still buy it in gallon jugs.” The oil is a blend of sweet almond,
coconut, sesame, and apricot kernel oils and can be used during a
massage, after a bath, as a hot oil treatment for hair, and even on
babies.
Survival Tips
How do you stay in business for 30 years? By being honest, warm, and
caring? Enron executives might disagree, but Martha is living proof
of this mantra. Martha is highly intelligent, knowledgeable, and
business-savvy, and she truly cares about her customers, her
community, her employees, and herself.
Survival Tip #1: PASSION
Having a passion for what you’re selling makes you a more authentic
salesperson. Martha acknowledges that we spend too much time
working. “If you must work for a living,” she says, “you might as
well enjoy it.” She has seen the fruits of her positive attitude
materialize in long-term, enduring customers.
Survival Tip #2: PERSISTENCE
Don’t slack off for a second. Nurture and cultivate your vision
every day. Stay true to your goal, and believe in yourself. These
are among Martha’s daily mantras, as she’s watched her business ebb
and flow over the span of three decades. The way she keeps up is by
staying in close contact with customers, through updates on her web
site, with new brochures, and with periodic mailings to national and
international customers.
Survival Tip #3: FLEXIBILITY
Martha utilizes flexibility in dealing with her customers,
employees, suppliers, and even herself. “I’ve learned to be flexible
not only in my tolerance of people but with my business vision. If I
want to survive, I’ve got to be willing to change with the times and
adapt my original vision to how the world is evolving.”
Survival Tip #4: ALLIANCES
Alliances apply to Martha’s relationships with her small staff but
also to community networking. “It’s taken me a long time,” she
admits, “to learn to ask for help. The Albuquerque economic
community is incredibly supportive of small businesses, especially
ones that are woman-owned.” Martha provides a healthy, positive, and
supportive environment for her loyal staff, which consists of one
full-time and five part-time employees. She keeps the staff involved
in every aspect of the business, frequently soliciting their
feedback on marketing techniques as well as featured products. Staff
members are also encouraged to learn all aspects of the business,
from sales to product ordering.
The Real Truth
Real success means having a willingness to fail. Though Martha has
far from failed, she has been willing to make changes, large and
small, to perpetuate her vision to offer holistic body-care products
to the Nob Hill community. But the real secret to her business
longevity is kindness. Martha truly sees all people as equals. While
we were eating our Buddha Bowls, a man who looked homeless walked
through the doors of Flying Star. “We get a lot of homeless people
coming into the store,” she reminisced, “and my staff has been
trained to make them feel welcome. I’ve taught them that everyone
who walks through our doors deserves respect, because any of us
could be homeless at any time. Every BODY needs care, and that’s
what I’m here for,” she adds with a wink and a smile.
Happy 30-Year Anniversary, Martha— Nob Hill thanks you for all of
your many gifts!
Martha’s Body Bueno In Nob Hill at 3105 Central NE Monday-Thursday
from 10-6, Friday and Saturday from 10-7, and Sunday from 12-4
Contact the store at (505) 255-1122 for more information.
Lisa Polisar is a mystery writer/journalist. Watch for her latest
mystery, The Ghost of Mary Prairie, due out by University of New
Mexico Press in the spring of 2006.
Zeri Not Zero
Intriguing Gardens with Natural Elements
by Joyce E. DePow
Xeri (pronounced zer-ee) comes from the Greek word meaning
dry. When mispronounced as zero, it brings about images of
emptiness. Xeriscaping is composed of lush, full-flourishing
landscapes, including amendments such as wood decking or gravel
patios. With xeriscaping, you can create intriguing gardens
interspersed throughout the landscape instead of a traditional lawn.
Lawns become accents rather than focal points. The xeriscaped yard
is divided into three zones— oasis, drought tolerant, and natural.
The oasis zone is the smallest zone and is nearest the house. It
contains plants that require some watering. Potted plants instead of
flowerbeds, drip irrigation, and containers to catch rainwater are
in the oasis zone.
 A moon garden works well in the oasis zone. A moon garden has
flowers that open at night. Most night-blooming flowers emit an
intoxicating aroma that is said to be an aphrodisiac. It might be a
good idea to plant a moon garden under a bedroom window so that the
fragrance of night-blooming flowers wafts up through that window.
Some flowers for your moon garden
• Evening primrose are white, showy flowers that open at night. As
they die the next morning, they turn a beautiful magenta pink.
• Datura is a bushy plant with huge, white, trumpet-shaped, fragrant
flowers that attract hummingbird moths and other night pollinators
with a scent of lemon blossoms.
• Evening-scented stock opens after sunset with purple flowers and a
spicy scent. It blooms in the summer but needs some watering in arid
areas.
• Four o’clocks open in late afternoon. They come in pink, red,
yellow, and white.
• Moonflower vine is related to the morning glory and produces
fragrant, white, 4- to 6-inch flowers that unfurl after dark. It
must be watered.
• Nicotiana is a fragrant annual whose scent is intense at night. It
has pink, red, or white flowers. It also requires water in the hot
months.
 The next zone in xeriscaping is the drought tolerant zone. After
watering to establish plants, it should need water only when there
has been no rain for 7 to 10 days. A wonderful garden for this zone
is a meditation garden, sometimes called a Zen garden or rock
garden. It is a solitary place for contemplation, using natural
materials like sand and stone to represent mountains and often
incorporating a pond or water fountain. Natural elements are brought
together in harmony to form a relaxing quiet atmosphere.
To create a meditation garden, map out the area that you will use.
Scrape out vegetation and dig about 4 inches from the surface. Fill
in the excavation with small rocks or gravel (about 2 inches deep).
Border the area with bricks or larger rocks. Then choose large
stones to place in the gravel garden. Keep it simple and rake the
gravel in patterns around the large stones.
Abut the large rocks with smaller rocks of the same or similar shape
and texture. Loosely pack garden soil in the space that the two
abutting rocks create. Place rock garden xeriscape flowers and
plants in this natural cleft. The sound of splashing water from a
fountain adds to the tranquility. Add a bench or chair and enjoy.
Some plants for your meditation garden:
• Yarrow grows upright on a tough woody stem with fern-like leaves.
The flowers are pink, white or yellow.
• Daffodils have long leaves and a bright yellow flower nodding on
the end of its stem.
• Irises grow from 4 to 48 inches tall. They come in many colors,
sometimes on one flower.
• Ice plant is a thick aloe-like leafed plant, producing brilliant
lipstick colors.
The farthest zone from the house is the natural zone. It uses plants
that thrive with infrequent rainfall. A cacti/yucca garden in the
natural zone is easy to maintain and gives a southwestern feel.
 The best place for a cacti/yucca garden is on a hill, allowing the
garden bed to drain easily. Then decide on the size and shape. Use
your imagination and be creative. Draw the border of the garden on
the ground before you begin.
Remove all the grass and weeds that would harm the cacti and yucca.
The area does not have to be perfectly level; you just don’t want
any big bumps that will make your garden uneven or any foliage that
will prevent proper drainage and cause plants to rot. After marking
the borders, dig out 6 to 12 inches of earth.
Build a border around your garden. Rocks work well as a cacti/yucca
border and look beautiful and natural. If you line your garden area
with landscape cloth or even plastic, it will keep unwanted plants
from invading the garden.
Stack rocks or blocks along the edges of the garden. After building
this border (about 12 inches high works well), fill the garden with
cactus soil. Although cacti and yucca can grow almost everywhere,
they do better in their own soil. You can make cactus soil by
thoroughly mixing two parts potting soil, two parts sand, and one
part gravel.
Your cacti garden will need very little maintenance. No watering or
irrigation is needed. The rainfall will be enough. Feeding your
cacti with 10-10-10 fertilizer once a year in the spring is the only
thing you need to do.
Most successful xeriscapes are low maintenance; they are not
maintenance free. To ensure that your landscape will develop
beautifully, implement a program of mowing, fertilizing, pruning,
pest control, and weeding. To ensure continued water savings, keep
irrigation systems adjusted properly. A well-planned xeric landscape
will require less work as it matures—leaving you more time to enjoy
your yard.
Why Xeriscape?
Xeriscaping Saves Water
Use native, drought-tolerant plants to significantly reduce water
use. Xeriscape promotes mulching to soak up moisture and prevent
evaporation and soil erosion.
Xeriscaping Saves Time
This approach can reduce the time you spend watering, fertilizing,
and mowing.
Xeriscaping Saves Money
Reducing water use can lower your water bill. Xeriscaping can also
reduce maintenance costs and increase the beauty and value of your
property.
Joyce E. DePow, author of Dandelions in my Wine, can be reached at
depowj@yahoo.com.
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