FIG Publications announced that Rockford “Rocky” M. Hayes will take over general management of the Rio Rancho Observer, as publisher. Hayes also holds an equity stake in the newspaper, in partnership with the new owners David and Jaki McCollum of Las Cruces.

Hayes is moving to Rio Rancho from Carlsbad, where he was publisher of the Current-Argus for more than five years. Previous to that, Hayes was publisher of the Madera Tribune, in Madera Calif., for several years. Prior to the Tribune, he held newspaper executive management posts at a variety of papers in Colorado.

Born and raised in Wichita, Kan., Hayes holds a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology from Louisiana College, and pursued a Master’s Degree in counseling psychology at the University of Kansas. Hayes currently serves as past-president of the New Mexico Press Association, and served on the board of directors of the Carlsbad Department of Development until his resignation last week. He is a 2006 graduate of Leadership New Mexico, and a long time Rotarian.

Hayes enthusiastically led efforts in Carlsbad for a public art project – to fundraise for and commission a 1-1/2 times life-sized bronze sculpture of Jim White, known as the original explorer of Carlsbad Caverns. The bronze is currently being cast, and the completed project is scheduled to be unveiled in early 2010.