Mr. Raymond Gachupin was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico and was raised in Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico by his Grandfather, Alcarcio Gachupin and his Aunt Persingula G. Romero. After graduating from Jemez Valley High School, he attended Western New Mexico University in Silver City, New Mexico where he met and later married Theresa Escamilla to whom he has been married to for 50 years. They have two adult children and six grandchildren. 

After serving 4 years in the military with the US Army, in Frankfurt, Germany, Mr.Gachupin returned to Western New Mexico University where he received his BA in secondary education. He began his career in education at the Albuquerque Indian School where he taught for two years when he decided to pursue his Master's Degree in Education Administration at New Mexico State University. After obtaining his MA Degree he taught for two years at San Felipe Elementary, in San Felipe, New Mexico. 

In August of 1985, Mr. Gachupin was hired as the Middle School Coordinator at Santa Fe Indian School (SFIS). He remained at SFIS for the next 18 years where he mostly worked as a principal with the mid school program and the last couple of years as the principal of the whole school. During his 30 years career in the education field, Mr. Gachupin served in various civic duties. He was appointed by the religious leaders of Jemez Pueblo in various years to the positions of 2nd Lieutenant Governor, 1st Lieutenant Governor and as Governor, which he served three (3) terms. He currently serves on the Tribal Council which is a lifetime appointment. Other involvement and experience included: 

• Served seven (7) years on the Jemez Valley Public School Board (4 years as chair), 
• Appointed to the New Mexico Commision on Indian Affairs by Governor Bill Richard (2 years as chair), 
• Served twice as Chairman for the Ten Southern Pueblo Governors' Council.

On August 2009, Mr. Gachupin was hired as a Supervisory Student Residential Services Specialist at Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI). When SIPI reinstated the position of Director of Student Affairs, Mr. Gachupin was promoted into that position, a position he held until he retired in January of 2017.