Sharon Payne, with Chief Justice David K. Thomson, left, and Fifth Judicial District Court Judge David E. Finger (right). Photo Courtesy Supreme Court
Cynthia Pacheco (center with award), her son Estevan, and state Supreme Court justices from left, Chief Justice David K. Thomson, Justices Michael E. Vigil, C. Shannon Bacon, Julie J. Vargas and Briana H. Zamora. photo Courtesy Supreme Court
SUPREME COURT NEWS RELEASE
Two longtime judicial employees were honored Thursday for their leadership and contributions to improving the administration of justice in New Mexico.
Sharon Payne and Cynthia Pacheco received the Arthur W. Pepin Outstanding Judicial Service Award during a ceremony in Albuquerque.
Payne is the court manager of the Lovington, Eunice and Jal Magistrate Courts, and has 28 years of experience with the New Mexico Judiciary.
Pacheco is the director of the Court Operations Division of the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), and has worked for the Judiciary for 18 years.
“Sharon and Cynthia personify excellence and dedication in serving the public,” said Chief Justice David K. Thomson. “They bring a passionate commitment to improving the state court system and ensuring equal access to justice in New Mexico.”
The award is named after former AOC Director Arthur “Artie” Pepin, who retired in 2024 after 18 years leading the judicial agency that supports courts across New Mexico. The award recognizes judicial employees or officers who exemplify the spirit and mission of the New Mexico Judiciary through their outstanding public service.
During times of staffing shortages in the Judiciary, Payne has traveled extensively to help courts in other communities. With her leadership and operational skills, Payne fosters a responsive, efficient and equitable court environment to serve the public with professionalism and compassion.
Pacheco became director of the Court Operations Division in 2024. Before that she managed the warrant enforcement program and transformed it by establishing a customer service call center to assist the public and creating operational units to strengthen court security and standardize traffic citation processing.