Back in 1975, a small, informal group of personnel managers decided to get together to network. They called themselves “Four Corners Personnel Managers,” and members included Adelle Anderson, Sammy Walton, Tom Shine and Ann Mason. They decided to be available to share their knowledge and experience with personnel issues in order to assist one another in those sometimes difficult and gray areas in personnel management. It was decided that each member would host a meeting. They started to invite others to the meetings and the group grew.

Later the group changed its name to Durango Area Human Resource Managers (DAHRM) and became a more formal organization with officers. As things moved along, the group decided to do an annual wage survey, as well as other projects, to help members with personnel issues. If a new law came along, research was done to learn more about it, and the information was presented at the next meeting. Annual study groups started up in the effort to obtain Human Resource Certifications. One of the main events each year became the Employment Law Update session in which Betty Bechtel and Michael Santo from the law offices Bechtel and Santo have been an integral part. The group has proven to be a real asset to the Human Resources community and members frequently consult with each other regarding difficult issues.

DAHRM currently has over a hundred members from the communities of Durango, Cortez, Ignacio, Bayfield, Hesperus, Mesa Verde, Mancos and Aztec. Quarterly lunch meetings are held in conjunction with the Durango Chamber of Commerce https://www.durangobusiness.org/