The New Mexico Bankers Association 110th Annual Convention was a huge success. A special thanks to all who attended the convention September 15–16 at Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino. The event began with an opening cocktail party and a vendor’s event. I want to personally thank our vendors and sponsors for their support and generosity.

The education sessions were incredibly informative. Pete Trevisani, owner and president of the New Mexico United Soccer Club, discussed his inspiration for starting the team, the early days of being a gritty startup, the unbelievable support from the state, the success of the first season, the togetherness that helped the team survive 2020 and COVID-19, and what the future holds. All I can say is buy your season tickets now.

Brooke Ybarra, Vice President, Innovation Strategy, American Bankers Association, provided a framework for understanding various digital assets, including traditional cryptocurrency, stablecoin, and central bank digital currency. She discussed how banks are engaging in the cryptocurrency ecosystem and reviewed key regulatory developments. Frankly, Brooke’s presentation was so informative that even I finally understood the basic elements of cryptocurrency.

Barbara McAneny, MC, CEO, NM Oncology & Hematology Consultants, provided her thoughts on the failure of our attempts to reform our health care “system.” Dr. McAneny was the President of the American Medical Association and served on its board for 10 years. She discussed why the Affordable Heather Care Act (Obamacare) missed the mark, why the private practice of medicine may not survive, and what is at stake. She posed the question, “Can we reform our health care system, or is it too late?” And she provided some ideas that, in her mind, could potentially make a huge difference in the state of America’s health care system. Needless to say, Dr. McAneny knows health care inside and out and was a huge hit as a speaker.

The theme for the convention was “Top Gun – Feel the Need . . . The Need to Succeed”. Thanks to Jay Jenkins, we were lucky enough to have an actual Top Gun pilot as our keynote speaker. What an honor and treat that was! Edward “Stevie” Smith had a 22-year career as a Naval Officer and Strike Fighter Pilot in the U.S. Navy. He served as the Commanding Officer of the Navy Fighting Weapons School, TOPGUN, STRIKE, and Strike Fighter Squadron 34. His staff tours include instructor at the Navy Fighter Weapons School, TOPGUN, serving as the Standardization Officer and the Navy’s Subject Matter Expert for GPS Weapons. His talk was incredibly fascinating. His stories about combat missions and landing on a carrier at night in turbulent waters makes one wonder how TOPGUN pilots stay alive. Stevie is one cool customer.

As one of the final orders of business, the NMBA acknowledged Jay Jenkins, who stepped in the last several months as acting NMBA President after our friend and colleague Lonnie Talbert relocated during his term. Many thanks to Jay for his continued support of the NMBA.

As a final order of business, the NMBA elected its new officers and board members for 2022-2023. They are as follows:

• President: David Hockmuth, Wells Fargo Bank, Albuquerque
• President-Elect: Mark Horn, Pinnacle Bank, Gallup
• Treasurer: Mike Lowrimore, Bank of the West, Albuquerque

New Board Members

• Kamal Ali, PNC Bank, Albuquerque
• Aaron Emmert, Pioneer Bank, Roswell
• Scott Czarniak, First National 1870, Albuquerque

State Revenue Picture and Possible Legislation
Recently, state economists presented to the Legislative Finance Committee with the state’s most recent revenue outlook. As one legislator said, “And the news seemed almost too good to be true.” A projected $10.9 billion in revenue for the coming fiscal year sets a new record for New Mexico. It is more than twice the $5.4 billion the state took in just over a decade ago. It represents a projected $2.5 billion in “new” money for the budget year beginning July 2023 (the increase over last year’s revenue), a 29% growth from the FY23 recurring budget. So what is the 2023 Legislature likely to consider in the way of new programs and pressing needs of the state? Here are some possibilities:

• Revising the state’s tax code. Perhaps lowering the gross receipts taxes and decreasing taxes for middle-class workers.
• Infrastructure investments in roads, bridges, and dams.
• Public education
• Health care
• Expansion of broadband infrastructure
• Safe and efficient water systems
  Trust funds for future state needs