The Global Directory of Who's Who is proud to honor Alberto Victor James Cordova for his exceptional contributions to social work, ministry, and community service.
May 06, 2025
Gallup, NM – The Global Directory of Who's Who is proud to recognize Alberto Victor James Cordova for his exemplary contributions to social work, ministry, and community service. Mr. Cordova, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Gallup Indian Medical Center, has an impressive academic and professional background that underscores his dedication to serving others. Rev. Alberto Cordova was ordained February 5,1975 at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) built in Penasco, NM 1953 to 1954 by many community people (lay persons: David Fresquez, Maclovio Mascarenas, and others and pastored by Rev. Julian Duran. Reverend Rolando Sanchez, Rev. Alfredo Padilla, Rev. Erdman, Rev. Daniel Castillo and others have served as pastors and leaders.
Alberto Victor James Cordove, born in August 1945 and baptized with the name in honor of Victory over Japan baptized at St Anthony’s Catholic Church in Penasco sponsored by padrino, Esteban Lopez (returned from WW II in the Army Air Corps) and his madrina, Emilia Cordova Lopez.
Alberto Victor James Cordova attended St Anthony’s Parochial School graduating as Magna Cum Lauda from kindergarten then transferred to Penasco Elementary. He then attended Allison James Presbyterian boarding school in Santa Fe in the 8th grade in 1959, the year it closed. He graduated from Penasco Independent Schools from high school in 1963. With gratifude and special mention honoring the teachers from Penasco are Ms. Kate Garduno, Ms. Elisaida Sandoval, Dominico Quintana, Juan Lovato, Rogerio Martinez, Benito Duran, Joe Sanchez, Carlos Salazar, Gilbert Garduno, Fidel Torres, Alfredo Romero, Gregorio Chacon, Daniel Garcia, Facundo Rodriguez, Mr. Miera, Gilbert Duran, Mr. Rodarte, Emilia Chacon, Corina Duran, He attended New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico graduating in June 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts with a major in Modern Foreign Languages and a minor in music (playing the trombone in the marching band), the concert band and the Stage Band as well in the Concert Choir. He attended New Mexico Highlands with help of the late Rev. Jose A. Medina who granted him an initial National Mission Scholarship through the Educational Counseling Service. He also sang in the First Presbyterian Church Choir pastored by late Rev. Robert Plagge. He attributes his drive for education to his mother, the late Mary T. Cordova (worked at the New Mexico Bureau of Revenue during the Governor Simms administration) and who graduated from Penasco High School run by the Parochial school in Penasco, NM.
He subsequently served with New Mexico Health and Social Services in Mora, New Mexico as a Case Worker from 1968 to 1972 supervised by the notable, Tito Naranjo. He completed the Master’s degree in Social Work from Jane Addams Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Illinois (Circle Campus in Chicago). He also completed a Master’s degree of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago in the Combined Program of Social Work and Divinity lead by Lyle Franzen and Dr. Charles Chakerian who served in the Roosevelt administration in the commission which developed the Social Security system. His diverse educational background has equipped him with a broad range of skills and knowledge, enhancing his ability to support and counsel individuals in need.
He developed a strong passion for social justice participating in community organizations such as the Spanish Coalition for Jobs, the Spanish Coalition for Housing, the Puerto Rican Organization for Political Action. He pioneered the establishment of the Latino Theological Studies Program at McCormick to empower Latino students and Pastors with cutting edge Latino concepts and content in theological studies to serve our diverse Latino communities in the Western Hemisphere. The late Rev. Cecilio Arastia consulted in the beginning of the Latino Studies Theological Studies Program at McCormick Theological Seminary. The late Tomas Atencio and the late Father Luis Jaramillo from La Academia de la Nueva Raza pioneered the first indigenous theological courses at McCormick, Toward an Autochthonous Theology in Northern New Mexico and La Raza Cosmica.
Among the significant accomplishments to his credit, he staffed the convening of the First Latino Strategies for the 70’s in 1973 at McCormick Theological Seminary to promote social justice for Latinos in Chicago and establishment of the Spanish Coalition for Housing Homeownership Counseling Program in Chicago designed to assist Latinos to keep their homes protecting them from forced foreclosures. He worked closely with the activist leader, the late Hector Franco and the late Betty Tenorio and Dr. Jorge Morales. He accomplished these while as a theological and social work student. He drew on these significant accomplishments while in training with resources from the Saul Alinsky Industrial Areas Foundation. Among the inspirational people encountered during this formative time were Ravi Shankar, Paulo Freire (who wrote The Pedagogy of the Oppressed, Rev. John Fry, Dean Lewis, Pope John Paul II, Reies Lopez Tijerina, E. A. Mares, Rafael Aguirre, Wendell Chino, Jessie Jackson, Edward James Olmos, Jay Silver Heels, Governor David Cargo, Don Perkins, Mathew War Bonnet, Marduqueo Chacon and many others too many to mention.
Rev. Cordova was ordained to the Call of the Chicano Campus Ministry for the United Ministries in Higher Education at the University of Southern Colorado in Pueblo in 1975 where he served in support of the Chicano Movement involving activist artists and Poets such Dr. Ricardo Sanchez, Abelardo (Lalo) Delgado, Cleofas Vigil activist folklorist from San Cristobal in Northern New Mexico, Cipriano Vigil (folklorist and musician) to name a few including other leaders George Autobee, David Vigil, George Solorzano, Joe Solis and many others. He served the needs of Chicano university students in Colorado working closely with George Solarzano, Jose Solis, Frank Arteaga, David Vigil and many others.
He served as social worker with the Children in Need of Supervision Program, a juvenile diversion program in Silver City supervised by the late Jose Frietze from Las Cruces, NM and supported by Antonio Lujan. He served with Carlos Provencio, a spiritual leader from Bayard, NM. He met with the great lawyer, Edison Serna, Grant County District Attorney, who took the famous case of the Mine Mill Workers who were striking in 1952 to US Supreme Court and won. He also met the great Juan Chacon, the president of the union who served for many years as the leader of the Mine Mill Workers featured in the film, The Salt of the Earth. He subsequently served with the Spanish Speaking Ministries in Mining Towns in the Globe, Miami, Superior, Arizona area where he worked with the great leader, Robert Barcon who served as President for 29 years of the Mine Mill Union then changed to the United Steel Workers of America. While working with Spanish Speaking Ministries in Mining town, initiated the community mural project involving youth in public arts which raised positive contributions of Native people (Chicanos are native) in the union movement. He was supportive of La Academia de la Nueva Raza led by the late Dr. Tomas Atencio and the development of the Facundo Valdez Graduate School of Social Work at Highlands University in Las Vegas led by the late Facundo Valdez. Dr. Gabino Rendon, Chairman of the Behavioral Sciences Department and Dr. Merritt McGahan, Academic Dean, initiated the funding for the development of the Graduate School of Social Work at New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico.
Mr. Cordova’s distinguished military career includes serving as a Navy Chaplain commissioned as a Lieutenant Junior Grade at the Phoenix Navy Recruitment Center in September of 1981. He served as Circuit Rider Chaplain with DESRON 2 and DESRON 26 in Norfolk, Virginia deploying in 1983 to the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Beirut where he received the Unit Commendation Medal. He subsequently served at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital and the Naval Corps School. He served as a reservist serving at Oakland Naval Hospital where he received the Navy Achievement Medal. He served in Guantanamo Naval Base in Cuba serving the spiritual needs of Cuban Refugees in 2,500 tent camp who were being processed to migrate to the US and Canada receiving the Joint Service Achievement award. After promotion to Commander, he transferred to Army as Lieutenant Colonel where he served at Ft McCoy in Wisconsin awarded the Army Commendation Medal and then served at Ft Hood (now Ft Cavazos), where he received the Meritorious Service Medal and then Manheim, Germany retiring in 2006. His leadership and commitment to service have been evident throughout his career, both in the military and in his civilian roles. Mr. Cordova also worked with Rev. Maria Hernandez from El Buen Pastor UCC Church in Pomona, California while employed by the Western Ministries Program of the United Church of Christ.
He accomplished four marathons including the Blue Angel Marathon (time of 3 hours and 45 minutes); Lake county Marathon (3 hours and 25 minutes); Grandma’ Marathon Duluth, Minnesota; Los Angeles Marathon. He also ran the La Luz trail and the half marathon at the Duke City Marathon.
In addition to his professional endeavors, Mr. Cordova has been actively involved in various community and religious organizations. He played “El Abuelo” with Viva El Paso in 2013 (a summer community program of the history of El Paso (directed by Jaime Barba}. He sang with the El Paso Chorale, the Gilbert and Sullivan Community Theater, the First Presbyterian Church choir and served as Associate Pastor in El Paso with Rev. Neal Locke.
While working under the tutelage of the great humanitarian and author, Tito Naranjo, who taught at New Mexico Highlands, he thrived as Case Worker in Mora County working for the Health and Social Services Department. Of special mention is the establishment of Helping Hands together with Joan Maestas, school nurse and former nurse with the Presbyterian Medical Missions in Mora, NM and Ganado, Arizona and Marcela Vigil Dineen, Public Health Nurse in Mora County, and Harold Dineen, Social Conservationist in Mora, while serving in Mora in the early 70’s where summer day camps and repaired homes together with the Jewish Youth Service from Brooklyn in 1972. Helping Hands, Inc. continues to this day. He is pursuing his Doctor of Ministry from of the San Francisco Theological Seminary. Currently, he is working towards completing a Doctorate in Ministry, further demonstrating his dedication to personal and professional growth.
Mr. Cordova’s personal interests include landscaping, gardening, Chicano literature, art,s and Native American art. He is married to Kristen Hostmeyer, who is a professional social worker working in Europe. He values family and is the proud father of three daughters, Antonia Maria James who works at Walmart; Alma Babbitt who works as Therapist at Rio Rancho (working on her Doctors in Psychology; and Adelita Buckingham, who works as a Behavior Therapist and Manager of homes for disabled persons in San Diego, California and working her Master in Social Work, He is a grandfather to nine grandchildren, and great-grandfather to six great-grandchildren. One grandson, Andrew James, is an E 7 with the New National Guard, and another grandson, Sebastian Cordova, is a 3-year veteran of the Marine Corps and continues in the Marine Reserve and Xavior Babbit who serves on the CCG Harry S. Truman. He follows a strong tradition of public service going back to his brothers, Samuel Romero who served in the Air Force and the Postal Services for 32 years, Barolin Romero and Tom Cordova who served in in the Marine Corps, Pablo Cordova (a Viet Nam veteran) who served in the Navy; his Uncle Raquel Cordova who served in the Army in Europe in World One, who served in the grandfather Pablo A. Cordova who was born in 1844 in Vadito, NM when it was still Mexico and served as a self-educated lawyer and magistrate. His Uncles: Cornelio Tafoya served in the Army during World War II in Europe; Jose Inez Tafoya served in the Army in the invasions of North Africa, Sicily and Netuno, Italy; Pablo Tafoya served in Army in Colorado when WW II ended; David Luis Tafoya served in Korea as a cook after the Korean War where managed a mess hall for over one thousand soldiers in Young San Seoul, Korea. Public service is a family tradition as exemplified by late Maria Dorothy Martinez who graduated served as a teacher in Los Alamos and Las Vegas, Nevada teaching students in Bilingual Education and the late James Cordova who worked at Sandia Corporation.
He considers himself as Native to the Southwest along with everyone of Chicano ancestry due to the indigenousness of the beautiful mixtures with native people in New Mexico. His father, Tomas A. Cordova, (born in 1898) served on the Penasco School Board, the Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, the Taos County Commission, the Captain of the guard in the Santa Fe Penitentiary and then as a civilian employee with the Pueblo Army Depot in Pueblo, Colorado where he died in an accident at work in 1957 leaving seven children behind. Mr. Cordova’s family has served in WW I; WW II, Korea, Vietnam War and himself served in the War of Terror end Enduring Freedom.
Mr. Cordova has served over thirty years a social worker supervised by Delfino Arellano serving with Veteran Readjustment Centers in Gallup, Farmington, NM and Midland, Texas. He served as social worker at the BIA with the Jicarilla Agency in Dulce, NM, Cannon, AFB; Fleet and Family in Yokosuka and Atsugi, Japan; Ft. Hood, Texas; Fort Bliss, Texas; Camp Walker/Camp Humphreys, South Korea; Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan; and Osan AFB. He served as a Military Family Life Counselor in Korea for three years.
Mr. Cordova now serves with the Indian Health Service at Gallup Indian Medical Center in the Project Zero Suicide as a social Worker. He is a member of the Santa Fe Presbytery, the National Association of Social Workers. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker licensed by the New Mexico Board of Social Work Examiners since 1990.
The Global Directory of Who's Who is honored to include Alberto Victor James Cordova in its prestigious registry. His life’s work reflects a deep commitment to helping others, continuous learning, and community involvement.
About Alberto Victor James Cordova
Mr. Cordova, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Gallup Indian Medical Center, has an impressive academic and professional background that underscores his dedication to serving others.
Name: Alberto Victor James Cordova
Phone: (915) 226-9626
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Global Directory of Who's Who Honors Alberto Victor James CordovaThe Global Directory of Who's Who is proud to honor Alberto Victor James Cordova for his exceptional contributions to social work, ministry, and community service.
Global Directory of Who's Who Honors Alberto Victor James Cordova for his Outstanding Contributions to Social Work and Ministry
The Global Directory of Who's Who is proud to honor Alberto Victor James Cordova for his exceptional contributions to social work, ministry, and community service.
The Global Directory of Who's Who is proud to honor Alberto Victor James Cordova for his exceptional contributions to social work, ministry, and community service
The Global Directory of Who's Who is proud to honor Alberto Victor James Cordova for his exceptional contributions to social work, ministry, and community service.