Laura Hronec

Senior Heritage Specialist

Email: laura@4cornersheritage.com.au

Education and Qualifications

In progress, Doctor of Philosophy, Higher Degree by Research, Department of Social Sciences, University of Queensland

2020, Geographic Information Systems Graduate Certificate, New Mexico Highlands University

2015, Master of Arts, Anthropology and Applied Archaeology, Eastern New Mexico University

2005 Bachelor of Arts, Anthropology, University of Pittsburgh

Expertise

  • Fieldwork-survey, excavation, and monitoring

  • Geographic information systems

  • Archival research

  • Policy development

  • Report writing and technical reviews

  • Public outreach

  • Community consultation

  • Resource management planning

Nominated Projects

2025-2025 Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Office

Branch Chief for Minerals: Supervised team that covered solid minerals, fluid minerals, and adjudication. Developed and executed work plans, ensured compliance with legislation, managed budgets, monitored projects, established hiring strategies, mentored team members, oversaw successful completion of oil and gas lease sales, and completed work analyses.

2023-2024 Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Office

Deputy State Director for Lands and Resources: Supervised division that consisted of four branches, Branch of Life and Physical Sciences (Range, Wildlife, Botany, and Hydrology), Branch of Cadastral, Branch of Lands and Realty, and Branch of Planning, Socio-economic, Cultural, and Recreation. Ensured compliance with legislation, participated in tribal consultation, met with congressional members and senior leadership, provided senior leadership briefings, conducted financial analyses, and responded to solicitor requests.

2022-2023 National Nuclear Security Administration, Los Alamos Field Office

Cultural Resources Program Manager: Oversaw four program areas that included Cultural Resources, Biological Resources, Manhattan Project National Historical Park, and Land Conveyance and Transfer. Conducted report reviews, managed contractor activities, coordinated with Tribal Nations, provided briefings to senior leadership, drafted consultation letters, facilitated partnerships with other departments and agencies, worked with stakeholders on interdisciplinary projects, and lead projects and meetings.

2018-2022 Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Office

Archaeologist, Cultural Resources Permit Administrator: Ensured program administration, regulatory compliance, and advanced GIS support. Served as Contracting Officer’s Representative and technical expert for cultural resource contracts and agreements, managed budgets and work plans, conducted public outreach (career fairs, expos and community events), supported workforce development, and coordinated statewide cultural compliance, tribal consultation, permitting, and policy development. Acted as state archaeological data steward, delivering GIS analysis and data management, and developing tools and workflows to improve reporting and decision‑making across field offices.

Publications

2024. Hronec, Laura and Courtney Carlson. “Watch Out for that Tree!” Evident of Land Survey at the Former Fort Stanton Military Reservation. Archaeological Society of New Mexico Collected Papers in Honor of John Roney: 91-106.

2020. Kilby, J. David and Laura Hronec. Evaluating the Integrity of Blackwater Draw’s Locality X: The Role of Wind in the Formation of a Late Prehistoric Site on the Southern High Plains. Journal of Texas Archaeology and History 6:1-18.

Certificates

  • Construction Industry Safety Induction (White Card)

  • First Aid and CPR

  • 4WD Drive Certificate

  • Blue Card (working with children)