Howie K. – CM Extraordinaire

I joined Unilocal in 2010 when I was living in the Bay Area where Unilocal is headquartered, but I didn’t join Unilocal Elite until 2015. Howie had reached out to me when I moved here in 2014, but it took him about a year to convince me to join. I simply wasn’t interested because the Elite vibe in other parts of the country is, uhhh, different, and I blindly assumed that was how the ABQ community would be. Not so.
I appreciate how responsive Howie is to feedback; his creativity at planning events; and in his own words, being uppity about keeping it civil on the Talk forums. (I noticed a lot of Community Managers in other cities aren’t doing their job in that last area!) I really appreciate someone who moderates from time to time to make sure the haters aren’t stepping up the bullying in this city. Also, if I send him a question, he has always gotten back to me within 24 hours.
My boyfriend, who lives in Sacramento, attended a Unilocal event and liked it so much he wants to attend all the events now. When he makes plans to visit, he asks, «Is Howie planning anything with Unilocal?» Thanks, Howie, for helping me become more active in the ABQ community! I love how goofy, down-​to-​earth, and friendly this ABQ Unilocal Elite community is, and a lot of this is owed to you.

Back when I first got a message on Unilocal from some dude telling me about Elite status and what it entails, I thought it was hogwash.
I mean, this stranger was telling me that just for writing my honest (sometimes brutal) reviews, I could be part of a group of other food loving, review writing local folks? Really?!
It was true, and that message was from Howie. Since that message, I have dined at some of the coolest places, met some of the nicest folks Albuquerque has to offer, and had tons of fun.
Howie is the best CM around, no joke. He goes out of his way to be welcoming, helpful, and kind. These are things I still appreciate because we live in a world where people often don’t take the time to be even one of these things, and our Howie manages to be all 3, all the time. Howie is so much fun to hang out with at events, he’s always down to grab lunch at the new spot that just opened, and he’a a great sounding board for inspiration when that review just won’t write itself the way you want.
Howie is active in Unilocal talk, and is always just a message away. If someone is acting up he isn’t afraid to handle it though we are blessed not to see much of that in our Albuquerque Unilocal community.
Howie’s events are the best, and we make it appoint to try and attend whenever we can. Howie makes our Elites a Unilocalie Food Loving Family, and we love him for it!

Sir Howie Lord… The Man… The Myth… The Legend :) A passionate & fun loving guy with a heart of rock solid gold and big love for the Q. Always keeping the fellow Unilocaler’s busy on fun & festive events. He has that special wonderful comradery in his heart, that truly lets me know how special he is. I have enjoyed being part of this great group of fun loving people, but Howie definitely makes the Magic happen for all! Big Kudos to Sir Howie Lord!

I probably wouldn’t have been using Unilocal often, much less becoming an Elite had it not been Howie!
In him I see excellent qualities that could normally be found in several people. He has skills that are well cultivated and talents brilliantly expressed. I hardly want to miss an alphabet of his reviews that ooze his theatrical training; they continuously teach me English language, American culture, belief in local businesses and much more.
He makes Albuquerque a more attractive city. He’s a resolved yet gentle influencer who’s passionate about the greater good for the community. I feel overall more connected to the city around him and fellow Unilocalers.

So… Howie is our first Unilocal Community Manager and boy do I appreciate how he and the other elites welcomed us (my husband and I) with open arms.
I truly appreciate how he is constantly creating events, not just for elites for community manager Unilocal events to bring awareness to new businesses that have opened up in Albuquerque. I mean, I don’t even know how he got a local burger/​micro brew restaurant to create a beer after Unilocal!Many of my best experiences in the city of Burque was because of him introducing us to many different things.
I am fortunate to have Howie as my first Community Manager and the Unilocal Community in Albuquerque is awesome to have him!

Okay, maybe I’m a bit biased. But I don’t care. Howie was my first Community Manager. I met him years ago, before I was ever Elite. But my wife was Elite and we went to an event at the Chocolate Festival at the Balloon Park. It was a scavenger hunt, and we had been in ABQ no more than a few months. Howie was a fairly new CM, but he didn’t show it at all. He was super organized and super friendly. We had a great time even though we didn’t win the scavenger hunt.
And things have only gotten better from there.
Howie is amazing! He sets up great events. And he really believes in helping local businesses. I have tried so many new places and had a chance to experience so many new things, I can’t come close to remembering them all.
But even better, Howie has made me believe in the local movement. He makes me want to support local businesses and to keep my dollar local. He makes me want to try new things and to expand my horizons. All of which I think makes me a better person.
For me, Howie is synonymous with Unilocal and with Albuquerque. I thank him for showing me how powerful a force for good Unilocal can be, and with helping me get to know my community. But beyond that, I count Howie as one of my best friends.

Howie is a top-​notch community manager. He cares about his city and the locals. He has a thing for Albuquerque, and it shows. I’ve been an Elite for 4 years and have loved being a part of the Unilocal team. Unilocal ABQ has really exploded. It’s been really great getting to know him and watching this city come alive under his direction. He has done his own sort of revitalization, and I’ve never been more proud to call this place home. And did I mention the events that he puts together for us Unilocalers? They are so well thought out, and I always have a blast. Howie knows his stuff and is really good for this city and for Unilocal

Howie is a freaking rock star — One of my favorite CMs!
Make no mistake, Gabi M. this was an EXCELLENT hiring decision. :)
I’m a Phoenix Unilocaler, and this dude turns my «same old, same old» business trips to Albuquerque into an absolute party after 5PM!
He even joins in on his community’s Unofficial Unilocal Events — How rad is that?! If this isn’t commitment, then I don’t know what is …
Thanks for always making me feel at home away from home, Howie and Unilocal ABQ Fam!

Wowie Howie! Unilocal and Howie have brought back a sense of excitement to ABQ. I have lived here for just over 15 years and the past two years of attending Unilocal events made possible by Howie have been some of the best. He has motivated me to try new things and meet a lot of awesome people. Thanks, Howie for all your hard work and the great opportunities I have and will be a part of with Unilocal

I have to agree with Kendall A., I first met Howie when we scheduled a lunch to meet about Elite and he wound up at a completely different venue. I think he was sizing up my flexibility, that day we dined on dishes I would never have ordered on my own. Recently Howie took us to lunch, our request, ‘you pick the place’ because he always has Albuquerque’s new and exciting stuff all lined up. Our lunch didn’t disappoint, thanks Howie.
On to being a great CM, I consider it competence when a person has social skills, organizational skills and motivation to keep all the plates in the air while managing a family and other things so well. He is truly an inspiration, it takes a lot of work to make things go in this way. Don’t believe it, just drop in and hang with our group I think it reflects well on Unilocal Abq it’s a large part of why we’re such a positive group.
Once upon a time we showed up to an event too early, Howie gave us a hard time but in such a way as not to be rude. Stretched as thin as he is at times the outcome always exceeds expectations. This year he garnered media passes for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, a run through the Origin’s Haunted House, the Longhorn Steakhouse, the list goes on and on. Unilocal needs to know, Howie does a great job and needs to be rewarded for it.
On a somber note, Robert B. and Kendall A. are departing our group, there is a feeling of kindness and friendship that will be missed. What does it say about us when our own makes thank you biz pages for the CM before they leave. I think a lot…

Howie K. is the best thing that ever happened to Albuquerque.
Many of my fun, interesting, wild and just plain awesome experiences in the 505 have been as a direct result of Howie and his awesomeness. Howie comes up with the most wonderful things for Unilocalers to do. We explore the city together, eat together, play together, drink together, everything Howie creates is a genius masterpiece.
Four years of being an Elite with Howie as my Community Manager have really shown me the best of the Burque. There are so many things I would never have done if Howie hadn’t given me the opportunity. Lots of friends have been made through Unilocal as well, which is just that much more to be grateful to Howie for.
Unilocal made an extremely savvy choice in choosing Howie to be our fearless leader. He cares about this town, the people in it, and all of us Unilocalers. And it shows. Howie is such a good human being, you can just feel it when you are near him.
I could never hope to give back as much as I have gotten from Howie, but I hope he knows what he means to all of us. I am so grateful to have met him and been lucky enough to become friends with him. He is one of those rare people you meet who just makes you feel good and makes you want to be around him.
If you don’t know Howie, please go out of your way to come to a Unilocal event and get to know him. Your life will be greatly improved for his participation in it.
You’re the best, Howie!!!