Carlsbad native. Small business owner. Rancher. Built across the industries that define southeastern New Mexico and west Texas.
Biography
Steven V. McCutcheon is a Carlsbad native who has spent the better part of two decades building small businesses across the region's most essential industries including energy, agriculture, and construction while staying close to the ranching life that shapes the Permian Basin.
McCutcheon graduated from Carlsbad High School in 2002 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business and Economics from New Mexico State University in 2010, two years into running his first company.
He founded MHAT LLC in 2008, initially as a fencing operation serving the region's agricultural and energy sectors. Over the following decade he grew and pivoted the business into commercial concrete construction, containment systems, structural and flatwork, and pad construction across southeastern New Mexico and west Texas. Steven managed every part of it through its wind-down in 2022.
In 2011, he expanded into cattle through Mac Cattle Company, with grazing operations in southern Colorado, before returning his full attention to Carlsbad in 2013.
In 2018 he launched two ventures simultaneously. Twin Wells Ranch LLC anchors his ranching operation outside Carlsbad, focused on land development and stewardship in Eddy County. Vaughan Operating LLC facilitates produced water logistics and connections for operators across the Permian Basin. Together, these two entities represent his deepest professional investment in the southeastern New Mexico and west Texas energy economy.
That experience took him into public service. McCutcheon served as an Eddy County Commissioner from 2019 to 2022, then was elected to the New Mexico State Senate representing District 42 in 2023, engaging directly in energy and water policy debates affecting everyday New Mexicans. He returned to the private sector in 2024.
Outside of business, McCutcheon and his wife Lisa are raising four children — Evelyn, Bryce, Taylor, and Bailey. He and his sons compete in rodeo together, a pastime that reflects the same values running through his work: hard work, accountability, and a connection to the land and people of southeastern New Mexico and west Texas.
Career Timeline
Graduates Carlsbad High School. Raised in southeastern New Mexico with deep roots in the region's ranching and energy economy.
Founds MHAT LLC as a fencing operation serving agricultural and energy sectors, later growing it into commercial concrete construction across the region.
Earns a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business and Economics from NMSU — two years after founding his first company.
Launches Mac Cattle Company with grazing operations in southern Colorado, before returning full focus to Carlsbad in 2013.
Launches both ventures simultaneously. Twin Wells Ranch anchors his ranching operation in Eddy County. Vaughan Operating becomes his primary energy vehicle, facilitating produced water logistics across the Permian Basin.
Elected Eddy County Commissioner. Serves through 2022, focusing on the energy, water, and land issues central to Eddy County's economy.
Elected to the New Mexico State Senate representing District 42, engaging directly in energy and water policy debates affecting rural communities.
Concludes legislative service and returns full focus to Vaughan Operating, Twin Wells Ranch, and his broader work in southeastern New Mexico and west Texas.
Areas of Expertise
On-the-ground experience facilitating produced water logistics and connections across the Permian Basin through Vaughan Operating LLC.
Legislative experience at both the county and state level, with direct engagement in energy and water regulation debates.
Fifteen-plus years of operational experience across oil and gas field services and energy infrastructure in southeastern New Mexico and west Texas.
Active ranching and land development through Twin Wells Ranch LLC in Eddy County.
Deep roots in the agricultural economy of southeastern New Mexico and west Texas, with formal education in agricultural business.
Plainspoken, math-forward commentary on the realities facing small business owners and rural communities in New Mexico.
Available as a source on energy policy, produced water, and the rural New Mexico economy — for television, radio, print, and podcast commentary.