Aztec and the surrounding communities are more than just where we live—they are the foundation of who we are. David and I were both born and raised here, growing up with strong values, close-knit families, and a deep appreciation for the land and people of this region. We graduated from Aztec High School, where our story together began, and this year we celebrate 53 years of marriage. 

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Family has always been at the center of our lives. We are proud parents of two exceptional sons, Aubrey and Jay Paul McWilliams, who also graduated from Aztec High. Our boys kept us on our toes growing up—rodeoing, playing basketball, baseball, and football—filling our days with activity, laughter, and pride. Today, they have blessed us with four incredible grandchildren—Cooper, Camryn, Graham, and Grace—who truly are the light of our lives. Our family continues to be the greatest gift we could ever receive. 

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Our roots here run deep. Both of us come from fifth-generation families in this area. The McWilliams and Scott families were farmers just outside of Aztec, and David’s parents, Robert and Ruthene Scott, were also Aztec High graduates. His great-grandfather and uncle played a role in drilling the first natural gas well in San Juan County, located in northern Aztec—marking the beginning of an industry that would shape our community and our families for generations. David’s father went on to work for El Paso Natural Gas Company, continuing that legacy. 

On my side, my mother Eloisa Martinez’s family settled near Chimney Rock, Colorado, north of Navajo Dam, while my father, Gilbert Mascarenas, came from a family of homesteaders in Rosa, New Mexico. My dad worked as a welder, helping build many of the gas pipelines and waterlines throughout the region. The oil and gas industry has supported both of our families for decades—and continues to do so today. Our son Jay Paul carries that legacy forward as the founder and CEO of Logos Resources, where he has successfully developed some of the highest-producing natural gas wells in Rosa and through the San Juan Basin. 

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After high school, David began working in the oilfield, like many Aztec graduates. He learned to operate heavy equipment while working alongside my father, helping build pipelines and vital infrastructure, including a 12-inch waterline supplying Shiprock from Farmington and the Hammond water system. He later expanded his skills in Colorado, learning land leveling and well pad construction, before starting Great Divide Construction in Baggs, Wyoming in 1980. His work included projects for Amoco Production, the Bureau of Land Management, Wyo. Highway Dept., stripping and reclaiming gravel pits Denver, and large commercial developments like a Flying J Truck Stop. Eventually, we returned home to Aztec, where David became a superintendent for Atchinson Construction, helping develop oil and gas well pads and the Valverde Plant site. 

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Meanwhile, I built my own career, beginning as a bookkeeper for small businesses and later serving as Assistant Town Clerk for the City of Platteville. While raising our family, I also handled the books for Great Divide Construction. After returning to Aztec, I joined Meridian Oil, initially scheduling gas. I later earned my Bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a concentration in accounting and passed the CPA exam. I became an accountant and team lead, overseeing capital expenditures, material transfers, and gas production reporting. Eventually, I transitioned into a new role as a Landman, working for Burlington Resources, ConocoPhillips, Williams Gas Company, and retiring from Harvest Pipeline. 

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David’s passion for building started early—he even helped his father build their family home while still in high school. That passion grew into a career, including developing home sites and building houses throughout the area. Together with Cecil Henry, he co-developed the Golden Meadows Subdivision in Flora Vista, where David built many of the homes and helped shape the surrounding community. 

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Later, David was approached about developing a multifamily housing project in Aztec. He took the initiative to acquire land from several local families. When the purchaser was unable to continue due to illness, we made the decision to move forward ourselves. That decision led to the creation of Pioneer Heights—a project built not just on opportunity, but on decades of experience, hard work, and commitment to our hometown.