Former New Mexico Governor
Bill Richardson
Former governor, congressman and diplomat Bill Richardson passed away Saturday, September 2. Richardson had a long history in New Mexico politics, including serving two terms as governor. But he also worked on the national and international stage.
Richardson was born in Pasadena, California and grew up in California and Mexico. After going to prep school in New England and college at Tufts, eventually earning his master’s degree in international affairs, Richardson decided to move to Santa Fe. It was there that Richardson began his political career.
In 2002, Richardson easily won the election to become governor of New Mexico, where he would serve two terms. Richardson was a big personality and used his influence from the fourth floor of the Roundhouse to push through legislation he found important, usually with the backing of a supportive Democratic majority in the House.
After Richardson’s second term ended, he largely left electoral politics but remained active in diplomacy, particularly seeking the release of Americans held captive by repressive regimes.
New Mexico Banker
Henry Jaramillo
Henry Jaramillo, banker and civic leader, passed away on August 20, 2023, at the age of 95. He served many years as CEO, Chair and President of Ranchers Bank in Belen. The bank merged with First Community Bank, Taos, on January 10, 2006. Among his many accomplishments, Henry was most proud of being one of the original founders of the School of Banking at UNM. Jaramillo served as President of the NMBA in 1974-1975.
He was preceded in death by his wife Elsie and his parents, Henry T. Jaramillo and Casiana Aragon Jaramillo. He is survived by his daughters Paulette Hartman, Judy Janelle and Cristina Jaramillo.
New Mexico Film Champion
Eric Witt
New Mexico’s film industry barely registered in 2003 when Eric Witt, a media executive in LA who became deputy director of legislative affairs for Governor Bill Richardson, began developing incentives to lure the industry here. He succeeded. The state film office says New Mexico, in the most recent year, saw $854 million spent producing films and TV shows and 8,000 people were employed doing it.
Witt, who had been serving as a senior adviser to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham since January, passed away at his home in Santa Fe in July. After graduating from Santa Fe High School in 1980, Eric went on to earn a B.A. from the University of Vermont, an MA from the University of Illinois and an MBA from UCLA. After completing his education, Eric began his career in the entertainment industry, most notably with Dino de Laurentiis Entertainment Group. It was here he learned how to finance motion pictures.
Eric then began working at the New Mexico Legislature, where he eventually gained his position in the Richardson administration. There, he produced spectacular results. Eric also was executive director of the Santa Fe Film Office and served as a producer on various successful shows. His impact on the film industry in New Mexico was immeasurable, and his knowledge and skill are irreplaceable.
Eric was interested in everything — cooking, writing, art, music, film, science — and had the courage to try his hand at all of it with varying degrees of success. Eric’s laid-back approach to life belied his intensity for living. He loved being with his extended family as well as his immediate family — wife Mary Ann and son Kevin.
