• Returning in 2021 •

Please review the schedule and speakers from 2019 as an example of the programming and the quality of the speakers.

Please join us in 2021 and check back with us later.

Example of agenda from 2019

Speakers from 2019

Bill Brady, CFP- Fiduciary Portfolio Manager and Investment Consultant

WestStar Bank

Presentation Topic: Investing Fundamentals & Strategies

Description to come!

For nearly 20 years Bill has served as a fiduciary portfolio manager and investment consultant assisting a wide variety of investors and organizations address many unique and challenging financial circumstances. He has helped structure customized investment solutions for high net worth individuals and institutional entities including foundations, endowments, Native American tribes, fraternal organizations, Taft-Hartley and ERISA plans. Prior to joining WestStar in 2013, Bill was Director of Research for an independent institutional investment consulting firm serving non-profit clients around the country and a Portfolio Manager for Wells Fargo’s Private Bank. Bill earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Finance from New Mexico State University, graduating with honors. While pursuing his degrees he served as an analyst for the Zia Fund and helped teach a graduate-level financial technology course at the University. Bill holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation and is a member of the CFA Society of New Mexico. Bill is also a Board member of the El Paso Estate Planning Council.

Stephanie Townsend-Allala- Associate Attorney

The Law Offices of Townsend Allala Coulter & Kludt

Presentation Topic: General Planned Giving

Description to come!

Stephanie is a veteran journalist and El Paso Elder law attorney. After two decades in radio, television, and newspaper, she took her advocacy in a different direction- helping the disenfranchised. Ms. Townsend Allala graduated from the University of Texas School of Law at Austin, where she was the Ray and Kay Bailey Hutchison Scholarship recipient. She was also Outstanding Graduate in Broadcasting at University of Texas at El Paso.

She devotes her life to public service, and has served as the President and or Director of all of the following organizations: The El Paso Women’s Bar Association, El Paso Women’s Bar Auxiliary, El Paso Bar Association, El Paso Press Club, El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, El Paso Association of Hispanic Journalists, and CASA of El Paso. She also spent four years as a Director on the Board of Nazareth Care Facility, a non-profit charitable skilled nursing facility. It was her work on the Board of Directors for Nazareth that helped her to understand the difficulties in placement of certain individuals with special capacity issues. For example, many times persons with advanced dementia, schizophrenia and chronic psychosis find themselves suddenly homeless, because there are few facilities capable of caring for people with advanced dementia and mental illness. Ms. Townsend Allala helps these families find permanent homes for their loved ones.

Robert Peterson– Director of Planned Giving

New Mexico State University Development Office

Presentation Topic with Terra Winter: What Are My Options?

Creating an estate plan with your community in mind is a great way to leave a local legacy. Terra and Robert will detail ways to get involved with the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico and the New Mexico State University Foundation when planning for the future.

Robert Peterson has been with the NMSU Foundation since 2004, and has served as the Gift Planning Director since 2008. His vision is student focused, to serve the Aggie community with honor in a way that nurtures relationships with the university’s major, principal and planned giving donors. Robert has received the NMSU President’s “Above and Beyond Award” for his estate planning and closing services. He co-founded and coordinates the NMSU Women’s Estate Planning Conference (celebrating 10 years), and is an instructor for the annual NMSU Windmill Workshop in the College of ACES. Robert developed a public-private partnership to establish the University’s first employee emergency assistance fund. He is a member of the Southern New Mexico Estate Planning Council.

Robert attended the University of California at Berkeley, earning a B.S. in Conservation of Natural Resources. A work study scholarship supported his academic dreams and enabled him to be a member of an NCAA Division 1 National Water Polo Championship team.

After graduation, Robert first worked as a National Park Ranger from coast to coast. Since then, he has served as co-founder New York AIDS Coalition, and then program associate for the March of Dimes, to co-develop the “Campaign for Healthy Babies.” In the Borderland, he was a grant writer for the YWCA, freelance writer/photographer for the El Paso Times, and held leadership positions with the Communications Group (economic development in colonias, under a US Department of HUD grant); the Levi Strauss Foundation; as well as the Kellogg Foundation Community Partnership (UTEP, Texas Tech, County of El Paso), which established four school-based health clinics in lower valley colonias.

Robert’s past volunteer work includes co-founder of the El Paso Ryan White HIV/AIDS Consortium; Board of Directors, NYC Prenatal Care Steering Committee; Education Director, City of Concord CA Energy Task Force. Robert has been a volunteer soccer coach for diverse independent leagues serving ages 4-18.

Terra V. Winter– Executive Director</

The Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico

Presentation Topic with Robert Peterson: What Are My Options?

Terra joined the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico team in June 2017 as the Executive Director. Recently, she served as the Associate Vice President for Development at the New Mexico State University Foundation in which she was involved in the campus’s most ambitious campaign to raise $125 million. Previous to this position, Terra served at the Assistant Dean for Donor Development and Alumni Relations for the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Her love for the NMSU Aggies and NM Agriculture drives her continued connection as an alumna and donor.

As a lifelong New Mexico resident, Terra is passionate about nonprofit work throughout the state. Her professional background includes ten years with Mesilla Valley Hospice where she served the organization in many facets of community outreach, education, fundraising and board development. She has volunteered for multiple organizations including the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce and the Junior League of Las Cruces.

Terra obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, minoring in Health Sciences, and a Master of Public Health from NMSU. She completed her an Interdisciplinary Doctorate with an emphasis in philanthropy, nonprofit management and leadership in December of 2017.

Lunch Panel Hosts: The 27th Annual Estate Planning Institute Committee

Attendees will be able to ask estate planning professionals from various industries questions regarding their next steps. Your Community Foundation will provide a question example sheet to be used for notes and future reference, but feel free to bring your own questions to discuss with the panel. This panel is organized for advisory support, but should not be considered a private session for specific questions regarding your estate plan.

Joshua Dwyer- Attorney and Shareholder

ScottHulse Attorneys at Law

By assisting clients in determining which estate planning documents will best meet their individual needs, Mr. Dwyer has been able to assist clients plan for the future and make decisions that reflect their particular priorities and values. In addition to designing and drafting estate planning documents, including wills, living trusts, testamentary trusts, powers of attorney, and advanced health-care directives, Mr. Dwyer advises clients on probate matters, the administration of trusts and estates, and various matters related to business succession planning, contracts, and transfers of ownership. Mr. Dwyer also advises clients with regard to federal and state taxation, specifically transfer taxes associated with the federal estate tax, federal gift tax, and federal generation-skipping transfer tax.

Mr. Dwyer was appointed by the New Mexico Supreme Court to serve on the Supreme Court’s Probate Court Rules Committee to assist with proposing new rules for probate courts in New Mexico. He is also a member of the Southern New Mexico Estate Planning Council and is a member of the Planning Committee for the Estate Planning Institute. An active member in the Las Cruces civic and charitable community, Mr. Dwyer serves on the Mesilla Valley Hospice and Mesilla Valley Hospice Foundation Board of Directors and is a member of the Rio Grande Rotary Club.

Patrick Grooms, CFP, MBA- Financial Advisor and Investment Advisor Representative

Spence Asset Management

Patrick Grooms serves as a Financial Advisor and is registered as an Investment Advisor Representative. In addition to assisting individual and institutional clients, he is the newest member of the Investment Committee, joining the Spence Asset Management team in 2016. He assists the investment committee in formulating investment ideas as well tactical allocations based upon market conditions.

Patrick brings a diverse financial background to the team. He started his career as an intern with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management then left the financial services industry to be a business analyst for Los Alamos National Labs. After relocating back to Las Cruces, Patrick became a financial advisor with Edward Jones and then US Bancorp.

Patrick earned a Bachelor Degree from New Mexico State University in 2006. Graduating with honors, he majored in Finance, Human Resource Management and has a minor in Economics. He then went on to further his education and earn his MBA from NMSU in 2008.

Robert Johnson, CPA- President

Johnson Financial Services, Inc.

As President of Johnson Financial Services, Inc., Bob offers his clients knowledge gained over 40 years of service in banking, public accounting, financial management and tax preparation. A New Mexico State University alumnus, Bob’s experience includes service as Chief Financial Officer for a Las Cruces bank and Principal for a public accounting firm. In 2003, he launched his own company to provide a wide range of financial management services to individuals and small businesses. Bob holds licensing to offer investment securities as well as life, disability, long-term care and annuity insurance products. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New Mexico Society of Certified Public Accountants. Bob’s interests and activities include photography, woodworking, camping and service as an elder for the University Church of Christ of Las Cruces.

Sumer Rose-Nolen- Financial Services Professional and CEO

SRN Financial Services, LLC

Sumer Rose-Nolen is a Financial Services Professional who focuses on working with affluent business owners, physicians and independent professionals on retirement planning, tax mitigation, estate and advanced business planning.

Sumer is proud to be a Registered Representative with NYLIFE Securities and an Agent of New York Life Insurance Company. As a financial professional, Sumer provides clients with an integrated financial and insurance strategy focused on maximizing value over the course of their lifetime. Sumer enjoys helping clients meet their financial goals.

Sumer has been recognized to New York Life’s 2016 and 2017 Executive Council, which is an annual recognition of progress based on production. Sumer is a member of NAIFA, the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. As such, she demonstrates exceptional professional knowledge, strict ethical conduct and outstanding client service. She is the Vice President for the Southern New Mexico Estate Planning Council, and works closely with other professionals in our area to best serve mutual clients and their varying needs.

Community Estate Planning Conference