Hires, applause and ETC.: Albuquerque Journal Business Briefcase

Welcome

William T. Gassaway has joined The Albuquerque Museum as assistant curator of art. Gassaway will contribute to the research and public display of the Museum’s nearly 12,000 works of art. An accomplished art historian with a broad knowledge of Western and non-Western art, Gassaway has taught undergraduate and graduate courses at Columbia University and presented his research at Princeton University, University of California, Los Angeles, and New York University’s Institute of Fine Arts. Prior to joining The Albuquerque Museum team, he served as an associate educator in academic and professional programs at the Met, where he designed and hosted the museum’s long-standing fellowship and international staff exchange programs for emerging and established curators, conservators, and educators. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico and his master’s and Ph.D. from Columbia University.

Michelle J. Lanteri has joined The Albuquerque Museum as curator of collections. Lanteri will work with a team to grow the museum’s art and history collections. She will be responsible for stewardship and care of collections, engaging research of art and history objects, expanding the visibility and access of the museum’s collections online, and collaborating on outreach and exhibition opportunities for community exchange. Prior to joining The Albuquerque Museum, Lanteri has served in collections and curatorial roles since 2012 for the Millicent Rogers Museum, Couse-Sharp Historic Site, Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art at the University of Oklahoma, Institute of American Indian Arts, University Art Museum, University Museum at New Mexico State University, and GreenHill Center for North Carolina Art. Lanteri earned her Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma as an Andrew W. Mellon Predoctoral Fellow and her master's degree from New Mexico State University.

Alicia Romero has joined The Albuquerque Museum as the curator of history. Romero will collaborate with the Museum’s curatorial teams and will lead the history program. She will be charged with caring for over 30,000 historical objects in the collection and will continue the work of updating and maintaining the current permanent history exhibition, “Only in Albuquerque,” as well as curating new exhibitions that feature the history of Albuquerque and the city’s connection to national and international narratives. Prior to joining the team, Romero served as head curator at the New Mexico History Museum in Santa Fe, where she curated exhibitions exploring the history of New Mexico Magazine and a selection of the Larry and Alyce Frank Collection of Santos in the Palace of the Governors. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of New Mexico and her Ph.D. from the University of California.

Jessica Nixon has joined Robles, Rael & Anaya, P.C. as a senior associate. Nixon graduated from the Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson School of Law and later from the University of New Mexico, earning a bachelor’s degree. During her time in law school, Nixon did an externship with Judge James O. Browning of the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico. She also participated in the Indigent Criminal Justice Clinic with the Centre County Public Defender's Office, further honing her legal skills. Before joining Robles, Rael & Anaya, P.C., Nixon served as an assistant city attorney, representing the City of Albuquerque in civil lawsuits. Additionally, she has practiced in the private sector as a litigator, representing a diverse range of entities and individuals in both general and complex litigation matters. Robles, Rael & Anaya, P.C. attorneys provide legal services to clients in New Mexico and throughout the Southwest.

Wesley A. Burghardt has rejoined REDW Advisors and CPAs as an audit and consulting senior manager. Burghardt’s career includes more than 10 years of audit experience, including as a senior manager at REDW. He returns to REDW from Censis Technologies, Inc., where he served as controller, and worked with KPMG, LLP as both an audit manager and audit senior manager for several years. Burghardt is a member of the New Mexico Society of CPAs and holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the New Mexico State University.

Joe P. Hatfield has joined REDW Advisors and CPAs as state and local tax senior manager. Hatfield began his career in accounting more than 35 years ago, and most recently served as managing director of sales and tax use at KBF CPA, LLP and senior manager of indirect tax for Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc. He also worked for 15 years in leadership roles with BDO USA, LLP, including as managing director. Hatfield holds a bachelor’s degree from Amber University.

Thomas Miller has joined REDW Advisors and CPAs as state and local tax senior manager. Miller brings more than 12 years of experience in providing tax recommendations, mergers and acquisitions diligence, and audit defense internally and for a variety of external clients, most recently as SALT tax director at Grant Thornton LLP and SALT experienced tax manager at Citrin Cooperman & Company, LLP. He holds a bachelor’s degree from The University of Scranton, a master’s degree and Juris Doctorate from The Pennsylvania State University, and a master’s degree from Georgetown University.

Dr. Jaleh Akhavan has joined La Familia Health in the neonatal practice area. Akhavan has a background in high-risk obstetrics, neonatal and addiction medicine. Prior to joining La Familia Health, Akhavan spent six years working at University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center. She was awarded a Fellowship in Maternal Child Health, and served as a primary care physician and family medicine resident at UNMH. She graduated from the Colorado School of Medicine in 2017. Since 1972, La Familia has aimed to keep generations of Santa Fe residents healthy by providing comprehensive family-centered care to everyone, regardless of income, insurance or legal status.

Applause

New Mexico Bank & Trust — through its parent company, Heartland Financial USA, Inc.— has been named among the top U.S. commercial credit card issuers on the Nilson Report for the eighth year in a row. In 2022, HTLF’s commercial credit card program ranked among the top 50 purchasing card programs. HTLF also surpassed $1 billion in purchase volume. HTLF was also recognized by Forbes as one of “America’s Best Banks” for 2023. New Mexico Bank & Trust operates 21 offices located in Central, Northern and Eastern New Mexico.

Danny W. Jarett, managing principal of Jackson Lewis P.C.’s Albuquerque branch, has been listed in the 30th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Jarett was recognized in the Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management and Litigation – Labor and Employment categories. Lawyers on The Best Lawyers in America list are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They are reviewed by their peers on the basis of professional knowledge and undergo an authentication process to make sure they are in current practice and in good standing.

Charles Warren Book “Wally” has received the Orville and Wilbur Wright Master Pilot Award from the Federal Aviation Administration, awarded to very few pilots who have completed 50 years of safe flying. Wally first soloed in a Cessna 150H in July of 1970, but is mostly known as a hot-air balloon pilot, receiving his balloon certification May 29, 1973. Wally worked for Cutter Aviation in the 1970s, and later became an FAA certified “Powerplant and Airfame” mechanic, followed by certification as an “A & P with Inspection Authorization.” He has instructed numerous student pilots, and has volunteered over the last 50 years with the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, 30 times as safety officer, and in many other roles, including Assistant Balloonmeister and Balloonmeister. He has been a member of the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association since 1973.

Etc.

Former New Mexico Attorney General Paul Bardacke has been appointed by the University of California Berkeley Dean of the Rausser College of Natural Resources to the Board of Advisors of the Institute for Parks, People and Biodiversity. The Institute was established in 2017. Bardacke received his Juris Doctorate at UC Berkeley and previously served as a member of the National Park Service Advisory Board during the administration of President Barack Obama and worked directly with then NPS Director Jon Jarvis. Bardacke will serve a three-year term with options for renewal, and assist in program focus and fundraising for the Institute.

Eric Eggins has been appointed to the board of directors for the Black Chamber of Commerce of New Mexico. Eggins is senior vice president, regional manager for PNC Bank in the Albuquerque metropolitan area. In this new role, Eggins aims to support the organization’s mission to promote sustainable economic growth of black and other underserved businesses by focusing on education, advocacy, mentorship and networking.

Gerald Giraud will be serving the college as interim vice president for Academic Affairs at Doña Ana Community College. Giraud will serve throughout the 2023-2024 year. He has academic administration experience at two community colleges, including Northwest College in Wyoming and Oglala Lakota College in South Dakota. He has additional expertise in accreditation and institutional research. Dr. Giraud earned his Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska. DACC is conducting a nationwide search for a permanent vice president of Academic Affairs.

Firecracker Leadership — a CEO and executive team coaching firm — has worked with businesses such as RS21, Abrazo Homes, Sunshine Plumbing, Carl’s Jr., Wing Stop, Home Care Assistance, The Family Connection, and New Mexico Pinon Coffee.

Janice Honeycutt Hering, the firm's nationally recognized CEO and executive coach, recognized business leaders around the community that have participated in peer groups:

Living the Values of Accountability and Growth

• Chris Zalesiak — owner of The Melting Pot and Burger 21

• Brandon Condrey — owner of Sandia Green Clean

Embodying the value of Transformation

• Galina Kofchock — OE Solar

• Gwen Lewis — Keenbee Talent Solutions

Limitless Leader Award

• Miles Shiver IV — new co-owner of Duke City Redi-mix

Bulletin Board

Femcity Albuquerque will host its networking luncheon for women of all ages and backgrounds 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Two Cranes Bistro and Brew 901 Rio Grande NW Suite A192m. This networking event is for FemCity members, but a free 30-day membership is available, and events are free for first time attendees. To learn more or RSVP visit femcity.com/albuquerque. For questions, email Terri Dean at Terri@femcity.com.

SCORE Albuquerque will host its workshop titled “Ask the Expert Q&A: Marketing” from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday via Zoom. Local expert DJ Heckes, chief executive officer of EXHIB-IT!, has decades of experience as a small-business owner. She will answer marketing-related questions such as branding materials, timing, message, social media and how to develop a marketing plan. This workshop is free; register at score.org/albuquerque/event/ask-expert-qa-marketing-9192023.