2007 Recipients

Los Alamos National Bank

Los Alamos National Bank (LANB), with over 270 employees, dominates the banking industry in northern New Mexico and is a national leader in the banking business. They are the first bank in the United States to have received the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (Small Business 2000) which nationally recognizes institutions that provide high quality
service. They are also recipients of Quality New Mexico’s Roadrunner and Zia awards.

LANB’s true corporate character is reflected by their actions in 2000 when the Cerro Grande fire destroyed 280 homes and burned 48,000 acres in and around Los Alamos. LANB offered zero interest loans to local businesses and individuals affected by the fire to the tune of over $1.5 million. They also suspended loan payments on homes that burned in the fire and doubled the amount of money customers could withdraw from automated teller machines.

Ethics is an integral part of the hiring process at LANB. Core values are discussed in the interview process, not after the employee is hired. Employees are empowered to make their own decisions. Benefits are offered to both full and part-time employees. If a department needs to be downsized, employees are not laid off, but rather transferred to another department. LANB encourages their employees to be involved in the community. The bank will pay the employee’s membership dues or fees to join a community service organization and will also provide time off with pay when employees want to participate in outside community work.

The bank has an Ecosmart program wherein they provide discounted loan rates for eco-friendly purchases, such as an eco-friendly car. They also purchase recycled paper and other products when possible and only buy eco-friendly company cars.

The mission statement at Los Alamos National Bank is “exceed the expectations of our customers, employees and investors.” As one professional in the banking community stated, “organizations like LANB teach us how we should be operating if we want to be recognized as a highly ethical organization.” Los Alamos shines through in its pursuit of excellence and corporate citizenship.

Vanessie of Santa Fe

Vanessie of Santa Fe, owned by Mr. Fran Mullin, is a well-known restaurant and piano bar located in the Old Town area of Santa Fe, New Mexico. The restaurant is in its 25th year of operation and currently has 22 employees. The food, service and entertainment are excellent, but Vanessie is most well-known for its corporate citizenship in the Santa Fe community.

In the highly competitive restaurant industry, in a tourist town such as Santa Fe, Vanessie is unique in its efforts to give back to the community. At least two weekends a month, Vanessie donates 20% of its profits to various community programs and non-profit organizations. Employees are encouraged to reach out to non-profits to let them know about events the restaurant might be able to put on for them.

The restaurant’s most well-known charitable event takes place during Health and Human Services Week. In 2006, Vanessie hosted luncheons and/or cocktail parties for up to 100 people spotlighting nineteen non-profit organizations. The goal of these events was to increase community awareness of issues surrounding health and human services, to allow community members to network, and, finally, to raise money. Mr. Mullin has been able to partner with 54 businesses in the Santa Fe community and in 2006, the week raised $193,000 for those nineteen non-profit organizations. Vanessie footed the bill for all food and advertising costs.

Although there are no written ethical guidelines, there are high expectations of each employee. Mullin holds regular, structured staff meetings with employees. Employee turnover is low at Vanessie. Full and part-time employees are offered the opportunity to participate in a 401(k) retirement plan and can purchase shareholder options. This, along with a fun and professional work environment leads to low employee turnover. Vanessie has an excellent reputation with their suppliers as well.

Vanessie of Santa Fe serves as a conduit for Fran Mullin and his employees to give back to the Santa Fe non-profit community, making it stand out in the highly competitive restaurant industry.

Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico

Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico could just be recognized as a non-profit organization distributing food through 700 agencies spread throughout the state of New Mexico. They have also developed innovative programs which maximize their resources to accomplish its mission of ending hunger in New Mexico.

Roadrunner has a written code of ethics that all board members and staff read and sign annually. In addition, every agency that applies for assistance from Roadrunner must sign a letter of agreement which includes core ethical principles, including honesty, respect, accountability and fairness. Agencies agree that they will not use food from Roadrunner in fundraisers, will not charge (or ask for donations) for the food, will not provide food for worship and food will not be bartered for other goods or services.

Roadrunner works in close partnership with those agencies and has high expectations for all of them. In 2005, they had to rescind an agreement with a local church when it was discovered that people were required to attend worship services in order to receive a meal with food provided by Roadrunner. This resulted in negative media publicity but staff and board ultimately decided the church’s actions were in violation of their letter of agreement.

In 2005, when Hurricane Katrina hit the New Orleans area, Roadrunner mobilized the community, collecting and shipping over one million pounds of food to the victims. Roadrunner’s publicity efforts resulted in their organization being overwhelmed with food donations and 1500 new volunteers to help sort and package the food for shipment.

One of their most innovative programs is the Food for Kids Backpack Program. This program currently reaches 2,500 children while it is estimated the need is around 21,000. Teachers are trained to look for signs of poor nutrition. Children in need are given a backpack each Friday which includes nutritious foods to help them get through the weekend. The backpack allows the children to receive food in a low-key manner, not drawing attention to their need.

PNM Award for Individual Excellence in Ethical Business Practice,
in honor of John Ackerman
Victor J. Chavez

Victor J. Chavez is a native Albuquerquean, growing up in the South Broadway neighborhood, graduating from St. Mary’s High School in downtown Albuquerque and then receiving both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in civil engineering from the University of New Mexico. After stints in Texas and California with Shell Oil, he returned to Albuquerque and co-founded Chavez-Grieves Consulting Engineers in 1980 with David Grieves.

He was actively involved, on a pro bono basis, with the building/remodeling of Amy Biehl High School. He joined the school’s foundation board, volunteering his engineering skills plus closely consulting with the principal/founder to keep construction costs within budget. Today, he continues on the board, and also attends student debates, retreats, graduations and is the inspiration for one of the student awards for excellence.

Victor and his wife Pamela recently devoted eighteen months of their lives advocating for the Quality of Life tax initiative which appeared on the general ballot in November of 2006. This was a controversial issue and Chavez’s backing of the initiative cost him business and friends. Although the initiative ultimately failed, he followed his convictions and ethical beliefs that this initiative would make Albuquerque a better place to live.

In 1997, Chavez received one of five American Consulting Engineers National Public Service Awards. That same year, he also received the Engineer of the Year Award from the New Mexico Society of Professional Engineers. In his professional life, he is motivated to take on projects that will have a positive impact on our community. Examples include Isotopes Park, Rachel’s Courtyard at Presbyterian Hospital, and of course, Amy Biehl High School.

Victor Chavez has served as a member of the Downtown Action Team for six years and served as chair of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce in 1998-99. He is currently on the board of the NM Symphony Orchestra and is the Chair-Elect for the Albuquerque Community Foundation.

Fairness, justice and compassion motivate Chavez. He is not afraid to stand up for what he believes. In conclusion, Chavez is passionate about the Albuquerque community, wanting to do whatever it takes to make this city a better place for everyone.