President | Director

About Duane Chavez

Duane Vicente Chavez is a real estate developer, business consultant, and operator with a deep-rooted legacy in New Mexico and a lifelong connection to entrepreneurship, service, and land stewardship. He serves as Director of New Directions Institute | The Healing House Concepts Non-Profit and is Co-founder and Owner-Operator of Corrales Collective and Casitas de Corrales.

Raised internationally across Mexico, Spain, and Colombia, Duane was shaped by a family legacy defined by discipline and public service. His father served as Special Agent in Charge for the DEA and later as President of the Southern Hemisphere, while his grandfather held the role of Deputy State Police Chief of New Mexico. These early influences instilled in him a strong sense of leadership, resilience, and global perspective.

Duane earned his degree in Business from the University of New Mexico, with a minor in Communications and Family Studies. He went on to travel throughout the United States developing and launching national restaurant concepts before returning to Northern New Mexico in the early 2000s, where he opened Dos Amigos Restaurant—a 350-seat establishment in Española. His entrepreneurial drive was inspired by his family, including his parents’ success in operating McDonald’s franchises and building one of the state’s largest Farmers Insurance agencies.

Now rooted in Corrales with his wife, Dr. Jessyca Franco-Chavez, Duane is committed to honoring and continuing a multigenerational legacy in the region. He is a descendant of Dr. Samuel Redding and Isabel Ziegler, whose contributions to the Española Valley helped shape early community healthcare infrastructure. Their work—alongside a network of notable supporters—led to the founding of what is now Presbyterian Española Hospital, grounding Duane’s connection to both place and purpose. Family history tells of close relationships with iconic artist Georgia O’Keeffe and the Garlands of Swan Lake—figures whose presence and patronage were instrumental in the early development of the region. Stories of their time together, their support, and the cultural richness they brought to the Valley remain a cherished and enduring part of the family’s legacy.

As the operational force behind Corrales Collective, Duane oversees the development, management, and daily execution of the property and its growing ecosystem of ventures. His work spans real estate development, hospitality, and private business consulting through Thinking Positive LLC and Thinking Positive Investment Corporation, where he advises on strategy, development, and project execution.

Duane is also actively involved in building The Healing House Concepts, where he is developing a consulting platform focused on healthy home design, lifestyle integration, and hands-on project management—bridging practical living with wellness principles.

Outside of business, Duane is a craftsman at heart—known for his ability to build, repair, and create with precision and resourcefulness. A Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, he carries a deep respect for discipline, mentorship, and personal development, with a long-term vision to guide and inspire youth through martial arts and life skills training.

Grounded, capable, and quietly driven, Duane brings structure and strength to every endeavor—serving as both builder and backbone behind the vision of Corrales Collective and the evolving Desert Ritual ecosystem.