First American Bank fetes Mike Trujillo on his retirement as market president

Article and photos by Mary Alice Murphy

A reception was held in the lobby and into the back halls of First American Bank on Tuesday, March 1, to celebrate with Silver City Market President Mike Trujillo on his retirement March 11, 2016.

To a question about the first thing he was going to do he said: "Clean my garage, and then get my 1946 Willys Jeep going."

Trujillo has spent 43 years in banking. His first job out of college was with California Federal in Los Angeles, Calif. He came back to New Mexico in 1974 to work at Deming Federal, which became Home Federal. His next stop was to return home to Silver City, where he went to work for SunWest, which then became Boatman's, then NationsBank and finally Bank of America. His next job was to help the startup AmBank, which was recently acquired by First American Bank of New Mexico.

"I've been with AmBank and First American Bank for 17 years," Trujillo told the Beat. "I love banking, except for the new regulations. Dodd-Frank has taken the fun out of banking."

Joel Schram, who will take Trujillo's place as the Silver City market president for First American Bank, presented Trujillo with a small toolbox marked "My Tools, My Rules," along with a check and wished him the best in his retirement.

Greg Marrs, chairman of First American Bank Board of Directors and chief executive officer, recognized Trujillo for his many years in banking. "Getting involved in the community is part of the job. It speaks well to have this kind of crowd. He went straight from New Mexico State University into banking, and has spent most of his banking years in Silver City. In 1999, Joe Casey brought him to AmBank."

"Before that I had the same seat at four banks, from SunWest through to Bank of America," Trujillo said.

Vicky Townley, executive vice president and chief administration officer presented a resolution effective March 11, stating the bank's thanks and recognition of Trujillo's service.

"I want to thank everyone for coming," Trujillo said. "The first person I want to thank is my wife, Taffy, for her support, encouragement and trust. Taffy, I'm sorry for all the vacations I missed. I want to thank our children, Janie, John and Tommy. The kids are caring, giving and humorous. Sometimes, there was only a picture of me at the dinner table. Now my picture is on billboards," he laughed. "I'm proud of all of you and I also thank my hunting and fishing partners, my grandsons.

"Mom and Dad, thank you for teaching me the value of hard work along with a good work ethic," Trujillo continued. "I also want to thank my sisters Valerie and Nora and my brother, Ruben.

"I will miss my employees the most," he said. He recognized the board of directors and the chairman emeritus, who was instrumental in the merger. "I also want to recognize the members of the community advisory board that we had for a little while. I want to recognize our customers. Some of you have been with me my entire banking career. Some of you back to Deming. I leave you in good hands with Joel and with great officers. And I can't forget to thank the organizers of the party. There is plenty of food."

In an unexpected move, he asked his wife Taffy to "do the honors." And before anyone knew what was happening, she had cut his tie in half. He removed the rest of it and went tieless for the rest of the celebration.