President/CEO Dwayne Herrera speaks to members of Zia Credit Union during the 70th Annual Meeting on May 21 at SALA Los Alamos Event Center. Photo by Aryanne Vigil/ZCU
Zia Credit Union Chairman of the Board JC Garcia speaking to members during the 70th Annual Meeting on May 21 at SALA Los Alamos Event Center. Photo by Aryanne Vigil/ZCU
Zia Credit Union News:
On Wednesday, May 21, Zia Credit Union commemorated a major milestone by hosting its 70th Annual Meeting at the SALA Event Center. The event drew more than 115 attendees—both in person and virtually—marking a momentous occasion in the credit union’s long-standing tradition of member-focused service.
The gathering served as both a business meeting and a celebration of Zia’s seven-decade journey as a member-owned financial cooperative rooted in Northern New Mexico.
Leadership Highlights Achievements and Future Growth
Board Chairman JC Garcia kicked off the evening with opening remarks and a positive report from the Board of Directors, reflecting on a year of continued strength and stability.
Zia President and CEO Dwayne Herrera followed with an engaging presentation on the organization’s 2024 accomplishments, highlighting growth in membership, community impact, and financial health. Herrera also gave previews of exciting new developments underway and soon to come.
Statewide Impact Through Financial Literacy
Special guest, Melia Heimbuck, Esq., President and CEO of the Credit Union Association of New Mexico (CUANM) shared engaging insights about the vital role credit unions play in advocacy, education, and community development.
Heimbuck spotlighted the success of CU NM Read, a CUANM initiative that promotes financial literacy through classroom engagement. She praised Zia employees for reading to nearly 750 students across Northern New Mexico in April alone—part of a collective effort that saw over 12,000 students statewide receiving financial education from credit union employees during Financial Literacy Month.
Board Elections and Volunteer Recognition
This year’s board elections concluded with the reappointment of two incumbent directors by acclamation: Chairman JC Garcia and Treasurer Tom Tierney. The meeting also recognized the dedicated service of Zia’s volunteer leadership, including: Lawrence Gutierrez, Board Vice Chair; Matty Perez, Board Secretary; Richard Roybal, Board Member-at-Large; Jimmy Montoya, Supervisory Committee Chairman; Rick Garcia, Supervisory Committee Secretary, and Gary Bobolsky, Supervisory Committee Member-at-Large.
Learn More
Learn more about Zia’s history and events at ZNews: https://www.ziacu.org/znews
Zia Credit Union’s Annual Report is available on its website: https://www.ziacu.org/about/
As Zia Credit Union celebrates 70 years of empowering members and building community, the message from leadership is clear: the future is bright, and the best is yet to come.
Scenes from Zia’s Annual Meeting
Melia Heimbuck, Esq., President/CEO of the Credit Union Association of New Mexico, speaks to the members of Zia Credit Union, encouraging the credit union movement of people helping people. Photo by Aryanne Vigil/ZCU
Ready to serve Zia members are Amanda Campos (AVP of Accounting), Baby Matousek (VP of Human Resources), and Dolores Aquino (Financial Service Representative). Photo by Aryanne Vigil/ZCU
Ready to help members are Cindy Martinez (Branch Manager, Santa Fe), Julie Gurule (Controller), and Angela Keiter (Accounting Specialist). Photo by Aryanne Vigil/ZCU
JC Garcia looks on as Richard Roybal (Board Member-at-large) shakes hands with Zia President/CEO, Dwayne Herrera. Photo by Aryanne Vigil/ZCU
Terese Sisneros (Assistant Branch Manager, Espanola) and Storm Lopez (Member Service Representative), attend Zia Credit Union’s Annual Meeting. Photo by Aryanne Vigil/ZCU
Melia Heimbuck, Esq., Richard Roybal, and Dwayne Herrera share in deep camaraderie as collaborators in the credit union movement as Zia’s 70th Annual Meeting concludes. Photo by Aryanne Vigil/ZCU
Zia Awards 24 Scholarships to High School Seniors
The Zia Education Foundation recognized scholarship recipients during Zia Credit Union’s 70th Annual Meeting at SALA Event Center on May 21. This year, the Zia Education Foundation awarded scholarships to 24 college-bound graduating seniors from nine local high schools.
Graduating high school scholarship recipients and members of the Zia Education Foundation Board and Committee members, from left to right: Brandon Deaguero (Pojoaque Valley High School), Bernardo Montoya (Pojoaque Valley High School), Cruz Martinez (McCurdy Charter Secondary School), Samantha Rivera (Pojoaque Valley High School), Hyunoo Hayden Kim (Los Alamos High School), Tyller J. Lomayma (Española Valley High School), JC Garcia (Foundation Committee Member), Yvonne Trujillo (Foundation Treasurer), Jennifer Aylmer (Foundation Chairwoman), Amanda Campos (Foundation Secretary), Valerie Martinez (Foundation Vice Chairwoman), Nicholas Sandoval (Española Valley High School), Samuel Carmer (Los Alamos High School), and Malaika Philip (Los Alamos High School).
The Zia Education Foundation receives donations and is primarily funded by Zia’s annual Chip In 4 Kids golf tournament. This charitable event also supports UNM Children’s Hospital’s Connected Academy, funding instruction for students receiving long-term care. Learn more about Chip In 4 Kids here: https://www.ziacu.org/community#ChipInForKids.