Pub. 12 2015 Issue 3

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 24 BANKERS ON THE MOVE US Bank Names Craig Buchanan Community Lending Team Leader in New Mexico Craig Buchanan has been named community lending team leader for US Bank in New Mexico. Buchanan has worked in the banking industry for 26 years. Previously, he was market president for US Bank in Las Cruces, where he oversaw all banking activities of the company in the market, with a specific focus on commercial banking growth. Bu- chanan works at the US Bank office located at 277 E. Ama- dor Ave. in downtown Las Cruces. “Craig is a known, trusted and respected banker, and has earned a quality reputation that will serve us well as we con- tinue to grow our business,” said Paul DiPaola, president of US Bank in New Mexico. Buchanan has a bachelor’s degree from New Mexico State University (NMSU) in Las Cruces. He is active in the community as chairman of the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance, president of Downtown Las Cruces Partnership, treasurer of New Mexico First, vice chairman of the City of Las Cruces Economic Development Commit- tee, Leadership New Mexico Committee member; NMSU College of Business Advisory Council member and NMSU President's Associates Scholars board member. Buchanan resides in Las Cruces.  Wells Fargo Names Harrison Regional Manager For Investment and Fiduciary Services Gene Harrison has been named regional manager for Investment and Fiduciary Services at Wells Fargo Private Bank. Harrison, based in Albuquerque, will oversee all functions for the trust and fiduciary business including in- vestment management through Wells Fargo Bank, NA in NewMexico, El Paso, Texas, and Tucson, Ariz. He previous- ly worked for Wells Fargo Private Bank in Reno, Nevada.  Chaires Promoted to President in Lordsburg Western Bank, Lordsburg, NM, Chairman/CEO Michael R. Martin has announced the promotion of Frank Chaires to president. Chaires joined Western Bank in 1992 and has previously served as executive vice president and chief/senior lending officer. A Lordsburg native, he was selected to the Western Bank board of directors in 1998 and currently serves as vice chairman. He was formerly employed by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Chaires is a graduate of New Mexico State University with a degree in accounting/economics. He holds a Professional Master of Banking designation from Louisiana State Uni- versity.  Freel Promoted to SVP First National Bank Rio Grande, Albuquerque, NM, has recently promoted Lynette Freel to senior vice president and credit analyst manager for the NM market. She serves at the bank’s Albuquerque main office at 2011 Mountain Rd. Freel has over 35 years of banking experience. She joined First National in 2013 as vice president and NM special as- sets officer. Her banking background includes serving as a senior credit analyst with US Bank, market president for Wells Fargo Bank in western NM, and other executive posi- tions with First Community Bank.  Munoz and Delgado Promoted, Los Alamos National Bank Lisa A. Munoz and Cassandra Delgado have been promot- ed to mortgage loan officers at Los Alamos National Bank in Santa Fe at the downtown banking center. Munoz has over 15 years of banking experience. Delgado is veteran mortgage loan consultant.  Five Promoted and One Hired by Southwest Capital Bank Southwest Capital Bank, Las Vegas, announced the pro- motion of Adam Durant to senior vice president loan officer. Durant has served with the bank for eight years. He was part of the original team which moved to Albuquerque to open the Huning Castle Branch and has been instrumental in helping grow loan volume 25% in the past year. He holds BA and master’s degrees and Pacific Coast Bankers School accreditdation. Emilio Vallejos has been promoted to senior vice presi- dent, operations and technology. He joined the bank five years ago after working with Target Corporation and serv- ing in the US Marine Corp. Vallejos will be responsible for leading the efforts to centralize backroom operations and technology in Albuquerque and leading all day to day efforts of operations. Katja Fitz has been promoted to assistant vice president, loan officer. Fitz earned an associates degree from CNM. Stephanie Fischer has joined the bank as vice president, branch operations. Fischer has 21 years of branch banking and backroom operations experience. Maureen Santillanes has been promoted to assistant vice president, Douglas Ave. branch manager. She joined the bank eight years ago. Taylor Trodden has been named banking officer. He joined the bank in 2014 as a part-time teller. He recently earned a MBA degree from UNM and will begin his new role as a banking officer working with numerous departments within the bank. 