Gadsden ISD

Travis L. Dempsey – Superintendent, Gadsden Independent School District

Travis L. Dempsey was appointed Superintendent of Gadsden ISD in September 2017, after serving five years as Superintendent of Cloudcroft Municipal Schools. During his tenure in Cloudcroft, he successfully led two $4 million bond campaigns and oversaw Cloudcroft Middle School’s recognition as a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School.

At the time of his selection, Gadsden ISD included 28 schools, nearly 14,000 students, and over 1,900 staff members. His vision centered on building relationships across the district: “I explored the community and felt right away that the Gadsden district felt like family,” he said.

A lifelong New Mexico educator, Superintendent Dempsey’s experience spans administrative leadership, school-level management, and classroom teaching across elementary, middle, high school, and adult GED programs. He has also been active in professional and civic organizations, serving in leadership roles with the New Mexico Superintendents Association, Otero County United Way, Cloudcroft Chamber of Commerce, and as honorary commander at Holloman AFB.

Superintendent Dempsey is married to Lori Zamora Dempsey, and they have two daughters.