Pub. 15 2018 Issue 2

6 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 In addition, I enjoy following the latest industry trends and providing conve- nient deposit services to our customers, along with the convenience of banking on the go through mobile applications. It’s fulfilling to seek the best possible financial returns for our shareholders and to give back to the communities we serve through our charitable giving and investing locally. What changes do you foresee in the industry and in NewMexico in the next several years? Banking is evolving quickly. “Fin- tech”, a term used to describe an emerg- ing financial services sector in the 21st century, has interjected a whole new focus on digital and mobile banking. Fintech will have significant impact on how we do banking. I do not anticipate that it will do away with customers com- ing into the bank, but it will offer our customers additional ways to manage their finances. New Mexico’s economy is driven by government jobs, the oil and mining industry, tourism and health care. There seems to have been some stabilization in the construction industry but manufac- turing still seems to lag. These economic drivers also drive what is happening in the banking sector. Banks must provide the services needed to support these economic drivers and the professionals that work in these fields. Banks in New Mexico also need to be aware of the increasing competition of credit unions. It appears that credit unions are moving toward offering many non-traditional products including commercial loans. According to a recent ABA report, credit unions serve higher income customers than community banks and benefit from tax advantaged treatment. Credit union activities and the needs of our current economic drivers will shape how New Mexico banks serve their customers in the future. Who has had the greatest influ - ence on your career? I believe the person that had the biggest influence on my career was my father. He was a man of common means, but was a man with a vision that re- volved around helping others and build- ing things. His profound commitment to fairness and honesty truly resonated with me. Because of his influence, I sought a career that would allow me to uphold a similar vision and values. While my father wasn’t a banker, he always em- phasized the need to save and to never buy something I could not afford. Banking is a unique career. I start- ed in the trust and investment area of a bank where I learned how to build investment plans that revolved around individual and family needs. I evolved into a position that further served clients by protecting their hard-earned savings, providing convenient means for individuals and companies to transfer funds and to empower individuals and companies to turn a dream into a tangi- ble business reality. Do you have any advice for new bankers? Yes, do not think you know what a career in banking is until you have had an opportunity to experience the breadth of opportunities that exist within the industry. You get to meet and help people in all types of ways. You will find opportunities in technology, oper - ations, finance and social relations. It is a rewarding career that has many facets and will offer even greater opportunities in the future. Tell us about your family? I have a beautiful, intelligent wife of 30 years who has taught me many aspects of banking, and most impor- tantly, keeps me balanced. I have twin daughters who live too far away, but I enjoy spending time with them when- ever possible. My wife, Chesney, and I live in Santa Fe with our dog, Bindi, and our cat, Barnabas. We stay close to our siblings and enjoy time with our family whenever we can. What are your interests outside of banking? I enjoy reading as well as golfing, hiking and bike riding. New Mexico is an outstanding place to enjoy outdoor activ- ities and a great way to spend time with family. Reading is a way to relax and to learn. I believe we must always learn and there is always another adventure that can be enjoyed by reading a good book. The arts in New Mexico are amazing, not only in the galleries, but in the beauty present in the landscape itself. What is your claim to fame? I can’t say that I have a claim to fame, but I definitely enjoy working with orga - nizations and helping them meet their full potential. n I believe the person that had the biggest influence on my career was my father. He was a man of common means, but was a man with a vision that revolved around helping others and building things. His profound commitment to fairness and honesty truly resonated with me. Because of his influence, I sought a career that would allow me to uphold a similar vision and values. While my father wasn’t a banker, he always emphasized the need to save and to never buy something I could not afford.