The People at Zia Trust
At Zia Trust, it's our people that make the difference.
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Edwin A. Kraft, Chief Executive Officer, Board Member
Ed is a seasoned senior executive with over 30 years of multifaceted business experience. He has held executive positions in the electric power industry, including responsibilities for Operations, and Customer Service. He has served as a senior corporate executive for an independent trust company and brings experience from the commercial property & casualty insurance industry. Ed provides business management perspective with a strong emphasis on Customer Service Strategies, Business Planning, and Operations Management. His passion is to ensure client satisfaction through excellent service. He served as President of the Southwest Federal Credit Union in 1978 and holds a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from the University of New Mexico, with additional management training from the University of Michigan and Stone & Webster. He has completed the American Bankers Association National Trust School and serves on the Board of Directors of Apple Tree Ministries and The UNM Anderson School of Management Foundation.
Teresa DeMenge, Vice President and Senior Trust Officer
Teresa is primarily responsible for Marketing and New Business Development in Northwest and Western New Mexico, with an additional focus on personal trust relationships. Teresa is a graduate of ABA National Graduate Trust School at Northwestern University and Boston University. She has over 27 years combined banking and trust experience. She has attended Central New Mexico Community College, The University of New Mexico and University of Phoenix with studies in Business Administration, Accounting, Business Information Systems and Business Law. Teresa is a member of the Association of Commerce and Industry and The Archdiocese of Santa Fe.
Susan Shank, JD, LLM, CFP and Sr. Trust Officer
Susan brings both a legal and financial background to her duties administering Trusts. She received her law degree from the University of Houston Law Center in 1985 and she is licensed to practice law in New Mexico and Texas. Susan received an advanced degree in tax law from the University of Houston Law Center in 2004. She understands that finance is a vital part of planning family legacies and she has a Certified Financial PlannerTM (CFP®) designation. She also has twenty years experience in the financial services industry, first as a trust officer for thirteen years, and then as a wealth strategist for seven years. Prior to joining Zia Trust, Inc. Susan practiced law with an estate planning law firm in Albuquerque.
John Attwood, N.C.G., Trust Officer and Marketing Manager
John's expertise as a Corporate Guardian uniquely qualifies him to administer Conservatorships, Elder Care, Special Needs, Medicare Payback and Medical Care Reversionary Trusts. John is a graduate of Oklahoma Wesleyan University. He is a founding board member and past President of the New Mexico Guardianship Association. John serves on the External Standards Committee for the National Alzheimer’s Association and additionally serves as Board Chair of the New Mexico Alzheimer's Association. He is also a member of the Elder Justice Coalition, Kingdom Advisors, and both Santa Fe and New Mexico Estate Planning Councils. John is accredited as a National Certified Guardian with the Center for Guardianship Certification and is a graduate of the American Bankers Association National and Graduate Trust School.
Gary Cotton, Trust Officer
Gary is in heads up our Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust Division which takes up most of his time, but he also administers a number of personal trust accounts including several endowment funds for the New Mexico Christian Foundation. Gary has over 25 years of business experience, primarily in the private sector where he co-owned and operated an independent LP-Gas business for thirteen years. Gary holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Baylor University, along with additional education in trust administration from Cannon Financial Institute.
Irene Trujillo, Trust Officer
Irene administers Personal Trusts, Conservatorships and Agency Accounts. She is also Zia’s Fiduciary Tax Coordinator and has served as Compliance Officer. She has over 20 years of experience in trust administration, operations, and compliance. Irene attended New Mexico State University where her focus was Business Administration. She also attended Cannon Financial Institute in the Fiduciary and Investment Risk Management program and is a Graduate of the American Bankers Association National Trust School. Irene serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors for the New Mexico Association for Continuity of Care (NMACC), and is a Board Member for the New Mexico Estate Planning Council.
Lynda Lloyd, Trust Officer
Lynda has over 20 years of knowledge and experience as a legal assistant and a paralegal in the fields of Trust Administration and Funding, Guardianships, Conservatorships, Real Estate and Probate Administration. Lynda administers Personal and Corporate Trusts, Conservatorships, Special Needs Trusts, Agency Accounts and Probates. She obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Albuquerque and has an MBA from the University of Phoenix. Lynda is a graduate of the American Bankers Association National Trust School.
Peggy McDonald, Trust Administrator
Peggy is a graduate of the American Bankers Association National Trust School, Emory University. She has been employed by Zia Trust for over four years, serving now as Trust Administrator and Special Projects Coordinator. Peggy attended Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell with an emphasis in Business Administration and Accounting. She holds two Gold Medals in Traditional Archery with the National Senior Olympics.
Shelley McGuire, CISP, IRA Officer
Shelley is responsible for sales, marketing, and administrative services in the IRA division. Most recently, Shelley attended Boston University where she obtained her Certified IRA Services Professional (CISP) designation from The Institute of Certified Bankers. Prior to joining the team at Zia Trust, Inc, Shelley was a licensed agent and a certified bank specialist with State Farm. She has broad experience in IRAs, banking, insurance and business management in both retail and commercial industries. Shelley has 29 years involvement in the business community to include a chair position in coordinating the 1st Annual New Mexico Indian Businessman's Association Trade Fair. Additionally, Shelley has received various honors and awards for community contributions and is a member of the Institute of Certified Bankers.
Donna Padilla, Operations Manager
Donna has been with the company since November 2003. Her career in Trust Operations began at First National Bank Albuquerque in 1980. In 1982, she accepted a position at Security Trust Company (now Wells Fargo Bank) where she acquired valuable knowledge and experience in Trust Operations during her 17 year career. Donna attended the University of Albuquerque and has been a member of the Southwest Organizing Project since 1997.