New Mexico Banker and Former NMBA President Ron Wiser Passes Away

Former NMBA President Ron Wiser passed away at age 68 on December 6 after a struggle with pancreatic cancer.

Ron graduated from Logan High School in Utah in 1972. He served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Arizona-Holbrook (Navajo-speaking) mission from 1975 to 1977. As a missionary, he developed a deep love for the Navajo people and language. After graduating from Utah State University in 1981, Ron started his career as a CPA for Peat Marwick Mitchell & Co. in Albuquerque. It was in this role that he met his future wife, Cindy. Ron and Cindy were married in 1986.

Ron and Cindy became parents to three boys: Joshua, Logan and Andrew. As a family, they lived in Belen and Las Cruces before eventually settling in Roswell, New Mexico, in 1995. In Roswell, Ron worked as President and CEO of Bank of the Southwest for almost 30 years. He loved his job, employers and employees at Bank of the Southwest, and the feeling was mutual. He served as a board member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas from 2010 to 2022. He also served as president of the local Rotary Club, president of Chaves County United Way, treasurer of the Roswell Library Foundation, and, as mentioned previously, president of the New Mexico Bankers Association. Ron was, by all accounts, a true pillar of the community.

He was also known for his deep commitment and involvement in the LDS Church. He was particularly known for visiting families with missionaries and helping widows in need of assistance. He drove thousands of miles per year, visiting and serving members and local congregations across south-eastern New Mexico and West Texas. Ron had a deep interest in researching genealogy, which he continuously did in his free time. Ron even wrote and distributed a monthly genealogical newsletter to hundreds of relatives for almost 30 years.

In every area of Ron’s life, he brought the same enthusiasm, passion and kindness of spirit that he brought to banking.

Former Senate Finance Committee Chairman John Arthur Smith Passes Away

Former State Sen. John Arthur Smith passed away in early October from cancer. John, a Deming real estate appraiser, served in the Legislature from 1989 until 2020, when he was ousted by a primary opponent. He was a conservative Democrat with a reputation for bucking governors’ spending plans.

Former colleague Stuart Ingle, a Republican from Portales, said he and John met daily during legislative sessions to discuss budget-related issues, despite being members of opposing political parties. “He was one of the best that was ever up there,” Stuart said. “We were trying to do what was right for the state of New Mexico — it didn’t matter which party we were from.”

While serving as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, John received the nickname “Dr. No” from late former Gov. Bill Richardson, who accused John of monitoring the state’s purse strings a bit too tightly. However, John embraced the nickname while acting as a check on the budget initiatives of three straight governors: Bill Richardson, Republican Susana Martinez and Democrat Michelle Lujan Grisham. He also helped the state navigate several budget downturns, including the 2009 crisis. Michelle remembered Smith fondly. “Sen. Smith was committed to fiscal responsibility while consistently aiming to improve quality of life for all New Mexicans,” she said in a statement.

John, above all, was a sensible lawmaker who was able to work with colleagues from both parties. For instance, he teamed up with fellow Democrat Doreen Gallegos to pass legislation creating a state early childhood trust fund, which has exploded in size since its creation — from $300 million in 2020 to a projected $9.8 billion at the end of the current budget year. He also worked with Republicans in 2016 to craft a compromise to bring New Mexico into compliance with the federal Real ID law.

“Sen. Smith’s lifetime of dedication to New Mexico leaves a legacy that will continue to benefit our communities for generations to come,” said Gov. Grisham.

Former Deming House Representative Dona Irwin Passes Away

In October, former Deming Rep. Dona Irwin, a conservative Democrat, passed away at the age of 92. Irwin served in the New Mexico Legislature for 18 years, representing Grant, Hidalgo and Luna counties from 1999 to 2017. Dona also was employed by First New Mexico Bank in Deming for a number of years.

Former Democratic Rep. Candie Sweetser, who succeeded Dona when she retired, said Dona was beloved in Santa Fe “because her loyalty was to the people in her district, not to a political party. Dona often said about herself, ‘What you see is what you get.’ She meant she had no hidden agendas — political or otherwise — and prided herself on transparency and openness,” Candie said.

Dona was skilled in connecting agricultural heritage with educational opportunities and also worked tirelessly to bring healthy meals and gardens to senior centers in rural areas. 

Gov. Michelle Lujan-Grisham remembered Dona fondly: “Dona was a stalwart advocate for New Mexico’s children, families and rural communities. She embodied strength in everything she did. Her visionary leadership improved the lives of so many in our state, and her legacy will live on through the lives she touched.”