Nordgrän-Tellez out as Chamber Board President after closing La Paloma restaurant in Solomon 

Jon Johnson File Photo/Gila Herald: Nicholas Nordgrän-Tellez, left, is shown at the 2019 SalsaFest in Downtown Safford. Nordgrän-Tellez announced he was closing his restaurant, La Paloma, and resigning from his position as president of the Graham County Chamber of Commerce Governing Board.

Corina Pino-Reyes appointed as new Chamber Board President

By Jon Johnson

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com

SAFFORD – Roughly one week after the Graham County Chamber of Commerce announced Nicholas Nordgrän-Tellez as its new Board President, he has resigned from his position and Corina Pino-Reyes has been appointed in his place. 

After being elected president Nicholas Nordgrän-Tellez outlined his priorities for the year. 

“It is an honor to serve as this year’s Chamber President and I look forward to getting out in the community and meeting more business owners as we share the Chamber’s mission and goals for the new year,” Nordgrän-Tellez previously said. “I would like to see more minority-owned businesses joining our ranks as well as grow the Chamber services to the business community.” 

However, the Chamber got a double dose of troubling news as Nordgrän-Tellez announced this week his intention to close down his restaurant in Solomon, La Paloma, and resign from his presidency.   

Contributed Photo: Corina Pino-Reyes has been selected as the new Chamber Board President.

“We are very sad to see Nick leave,” said Chamber Executive Director Vance Bryce, “And we understand how challenging it can be for local businesses during this time of inflation and wage increase. We want nothing but the best for him, and we thank him for all the hours of volunteering he’s done for our community and the Chamber.”

Nordgrän-Tellez began managing La Paloma in 2011 and purchased the business in 2016. 

Stepping up in Nordgrän-Tellez’s place is Corina Pino Reyes, who has been employed with Valley TeleCom Group for 18 years in April.

According to a press release from the Chamber, she is passionate about bringing broadband to our businesses and schools. She and her husband, Nick Reyes, have two children, Mia, 9, and Santos, 5. Their family is active members of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church.

Pino-Reyes is also a former member of the Gila Watershed Partnership Board, and a member of the Safford Rotary Club. She is a member of Gila Valley Leadership Cohort 15.