The December meeting of the MVEDA Business in the NM Borderplex Forum will feature a panel of local bank executives who will discuss the banking climate in Dona Ana County and New Mexico as well as changes in lending practices that impact business growth. Panelist will include Kiel Hoffman of Pioneer Bank, Farrah Marquez of First American Bank, and George Ruth of Citizens Bank of Las Cruces.

The meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 4, 2018 from 11:30 AM until 1:00 PM at the Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces, 705 S. Telshor. It will begin with a hot entrée buffet.

Advance registration is $25.00 per person, payable by major credit card via the secure portal on the registration form. Payment at the door with cash, check or credit card is $30.00 per person. Due to space limitations, reservations are required. Registration closes Friday, November 30, 2018

About the Speakers
Kiel Hoffman is President of the Las Cruces Pioneer Banks. His banking career spans over four companies and 33 years, including the past 14 years at Pioneer. He is past Chairs of the Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce, Mesilla Valley Economic Development, Mesilla Valley Hospice, the Conquistadores and Big Brothers Big Sisters. He is a former board member of the Bridge of Southern New Mexico and is currently Treasurer for the March of Dimes and Revolution 120.

Farrah Marquez is Vice President for commercial lending at First American Bank. She is a graduate of NMSU and the Western States School of Banking. She is a current facilitator for Leadership Las Cruces having graduated from Leadership Las Cruces in 2016. She is a member of the Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce Conquistadores Executive Council and Past President and Board Member of Las Cruces Host Lions.

George Ruth is President of Citizens Bank of Las Cruces. This year marks George’s 45th anniversary in banking, having served with several different banking groups in the State in various capacities. As a Las Cruces resident since 1998, George served as Chair of the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce, Chair of The Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, Chair of the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance, Chair of the Board for The Bridge of Southern New Mexico, and as a board member of The Advanced Care Hospital of Southern New Mexico.  He currently serves on the New Mexico State University Town and Gown Committee, as a Board member of the Borderplex Alliance, as a member and past Chair of the Las Cruces Forum, and a member and the New Mexico Amigos.