Pub. 15 2018 Issue 2

14 O V E R A C E N T U R Y : B U I L D I N G B E T T E R B A N K S - H E L P I N G N E W M E X I C O R E A L I Z E D R E A M S Christopher Moya Interview By Acting Director, New Mexico Financial Institutions Division Tell us about your background and what you enjoy doing in your free time. I am the Acting Director of the New Mexico Financial Institutions Division (FID) of the Regulation and Licens- ing Department for the State of New Mexico. I began my career at FID in 2011, when I was hired as a financial examiner. In 2012, I was promoted to Industry Manager, where I oversaw the mortgage origination and escrow busi- nesses operating in our state. In 2013, I accepted a second promotion and was named Deputy Director of FID, where I served under former Director Cynthia Richards. In my role as Deputy Director, I oversaw the budget and operations of the division. In September, 2016, following the retirement of Director Richards, I began serving in my current role as Acting Director. I was raised in Tucumcari, New Mexi- co, a terrific farming and ranching com - munity on the eastern side of the state. My understanding and appreciation of the concepts of community and business and personal relationships were solidly formed by my small town upbringing. Growing up, I spent every moment of free time I had working alongside my fa- ther on the family farm and ranch. I am often asked what I would want to do if I was not with FID. Without hesitation, I always respond “a rancher.” When I am not buried in my work with FID, a person does not have to look very hard to find me. Every weekend, I am on the family ranch in New Kirk, New Mexico, located on I-40 between Tucumcari and Santa Rosa. I am also a proud graduate of the New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI), in Roswell, New Mexico. I attended one year of High School at NMMI as well as my first two years of college. The leadership training and discipline that I was exposed to during my tenure there, established the foundational structure of my character and work ethic that has guided me throughout. Upon graduating from NMMI, I made the decision to pursue the remainder of my undergraduate studies in San Diego,