The Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, in partnership with the Estate Planning Institute (EPI) Committee, is honored to recognize Mr. Richard Gregory.  Rich, as many knew him, laid the groundwork more than 28 years ago for our annual estate planning conference.  With his leadership, the Memorial Medical Center Foundation transitioned to the Healthcare Foundation of Southern New Mexico and to what is now the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico.  Both he and his wife, Nancy, were steadfast volunteers, mentors and friends to this organization. This community lost a man of great distinguishes in May of 2012.  Many in this community continue to honor Rich as volunteers on committees, speaking each year during EPI and being steadfast advisors to our organization.

 

 

It is with great honor that we rename our Estate Planning Institute Committee and conferences attached to estate planning to the “Gregory Estate Planning Advisory Council.” Each year this conference will continue in his honor while additional community conferences will bear his name in perpetuity.

 

As we remember Richard Gregory through our multiple estate planning conferences, honoring those that have given an estate gift as part of the Community Legacy Society and expand our reach to our community in his name.  We want to thank Nancy Gregory, Rich’s wife, and their entire family, for allowing us this honor.

The Gregory Estate Planning Advisory Council thanks you for attending this year’s conference and we hope to see you for years to come.

 

 

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The Gregory Estate Planning Advisory Council Committee Members

The following professionals are part of our advisory team.  These individuals not only serve as advocates for the Community Foundation, they make connections with community members in regards to gift planning, supply guidance to our team on all estate planning events and continue the work that was so important to Rich.

Molly Bekken – Financial Advisor

Morgan Stanley

My experience starting and running a successful business, combined with a decade of teaching at the collegiate level has prepared me to work with affluent retirees, especially women, who are vastly underrepresented in this industry.

Your holistic financial life is important to me and I outline a roadmap with each and every client that includes financial planning, retirement planning, education goals, legacy and philanthropy goals. I believe complexity isn’t necessarily sophisticated, it’s just complex, so I will make sure you understand and feel confident with every investment strategy implemented and outline how it fits into your overall plan.

I love people, am a Las Cruces Native, an Idahoan business-owner, and a mom of four. My kids are my treasure and I continuously navigate the choppy waters of balancing home, work, kids, and everything in between.

I am an avid reader, I strive to support my local community first, and feel like superwoman in high heels.

Ken Binkley – Partner

Wilson Binkley Advertising & Marketing

Ken is a partner at Wilson Binkley Advertising & Marketing. His areas of responsibility are primarily as an account executive, but he also oversees the company’s finances and accounting, human resources and benefits, and information technology systems. He has worked at WBAM for over 30 years and started in August 1990 as a college intern. Ken left in June 1991 when he graduated from college and took a job with Dillard’s Department Stores in their executive training program. Ken returned to WBAM in June 1992 and became a partner in 1998. Ken holds two degrees from New Mexico State University; a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism/Mass Communications with emphasis in Advertising Administration and a Masters of Business Administration with emphasis in Finance. Other organizations that he is affiliated with are the Las Cruces Rio Grande Rotary Club, and he has also been a member of the First Baptist Church since the early 1990s.

Wendy Boetticher  – Partner

Everett & Boetticher, P.C.

Wendy has been involved with both public and private accounting since 1993 when she completed her Bachelor of Accountancy at New Mexico State University.  Her career began in Roswell, New Mexico working for the accounting firm Ritter & Company where she was a Senior Auditor.  In 1998, she returned to Las Cruces after accepting an Internal Auditor position with Security Capital Group located in El Paso, Texas.

Wendy joined the firm now known as Everett & Boetticher, P.C. in 2000 and became Partner in 2003. Her experience includes financial statement audits, reviews, compilations and litigation support, in addition to individual and corporate tax preparation and planning.

Wendy is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, New Mexico Society of Certified Public Accountants and the 2012 Leadership Las Cruces class.  She currently volunteers with the Mayor’s Top Teen Organization and was a member of the LCPS Audit Committee.  She was a Mesilla Valley Hospice Board  member from 2004 – 2016 and served on the School Advisory Committee for Desert Hills Elementary from 2009 – 2011.

Adrian F. Dodds, CFP® – Senior Financial Advisor & Managing Partner

Dodds Wealth Management Group

Adrian focuses on the following areas: investment planning, retirement income planning, and risk management. He also coordinates with CPAs and attorneys to help his clients with tax planning and estate planning issues. Adrian has received a Bachelor of Science in Family Financial Planning from Texas Tech University. During his time at Texas Tech University, he was a member of the cross-country team and indoor/outdoor track team.

Adrian has been in practice for more than 20 years. He began his career with Cornerstone Wealth Advisors, Inc. in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 2007, he had the opportunity to return to El Paso, Texas, and work with his father, Charles D. Dodds Jr. Adrian brought with him a new perspective and a different skill set to complement his father’s practice.

He believes in supporting and giving back to his community. He is a current board member of the Foundation for The Diocese of El Paso. Over the years, he has served on the board of The El Paso Estate Planning Council, The El Paso Child Guidance Center, and The Advisory Committee of Cathedral High School. He also served as Head Cross Country and Long-Distance Track Coach for his high school alma mater, Cathedral High School. Adrian coached the Cathedral Cross Country Team to a State Championship in 2014.

Growing up, Adrian was very active in the Boy Scouts of America and reached the rank of Eagle Scout. In his downtime, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Ana, and his two daughters, Adriana and Alejandra. He also enjoys trail running, exercising, and reading.

Joshua served by appointment 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 board of directors for the Real Property, Trust, and Estate Section of the State Bar of New Mexico.

Joshua Dwyer – Attorney and Shareholder

Scott Hulse Attorneys at Law

Joshua assists 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, Joshua advises clients on probate matters, the administration of trusts and estates, and various matters related to business succession planning, contracts, and transfers of ownership. Joshua 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.

Joshua served by appointment 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 board of directors for the Real Property, Trust, and Estate Section of the State Bar of New Mexico.

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.

Ali Hewell, M.P.A.– Trust Officer, Disability and Elder Trust Solutions

Bank of Albuquerque

Ali Hewell has 20 years of experience in the legal, banking, and trust industry. Ali started as a paralegal at a credit union after completing her paralegal certification and has spent the last 17 years working on probate, guardianship, insurance defense, and trusts in multiple federal and state jurisdictions.

For the last 1.5 years, she has served as a Trust Officer, working with beneficiaries and their families within the Disability and Elder Trust Solutions group.

Ali began her career with Bank of Albuquerque/BOK Financial in 2019 when she was recruited from a prominent Fort Worth law firm.

Ali is a member of various professional and civic organizations. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Tarleton State University, Bachelor of Arts in University Studies (English, Technical Communication and Personal Financial Planning) from Texas Tech University, and a Paralegal Certification from The University of Texas at Arlington.

Diana Seward – Financial Advisor

Edward Jones

I came to Edward Jones 17 years ago as a financial advisor. Prior to coming to Edward Jones, I managed the trust department of a local bank for many years. I dealt with many aspects of a client’s life, including investments, legal affairs, tax issues and insurance. This knowledge has been very useful in helping my clients utilize the right professionals to handle the many facets of their lives.

My strength is in educating and helping clients meet their financial goals. I believe in keeping clients informed about current market conditions as well as discussing what actions to take to stay on course to meet your long-term goals. Stephanie Barncastle and Katy Stahley assist me and we are all very dedicated to providing you with the highest level of service and ensuring your needs are met.

I attended NMSU. My family has a long history with NMSU, starting with my grandparents all the way down to my children. It’s no wonder that my office is directly across the street from NMSU. Throughout my career, I have been on the boards of the Community Foundation of Southern NM, the Dona Ana Arts Council and the NMSU Presidents Associates and on many committees.

Born and raised here in Las Cruces, NM, it is a privilege to be a part of this community. My husband, Brett, and I have raised three children as well as goats, chickens, dogs and cats. We enjoy spending time with our family, with our friends and at the family ranch. I look forward to continuing to serve this community and clients for years to come.

Stephanie Townsend-Allala – Associate Attorney

The Law Offices of Townsend Allala Coulter & Kludt 

Stephanie Townsend Allala is President and CEO of Townsend Allala, Coulter & Kludt, Attorneys. She is a Director of the Board of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys-Texas Chapter, and she is a Director on the Board of Bienvivir Senior Health Services. She is a national Editor of the Journal of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. She provides services in the areas of Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning, Trusts, and Crisis Placement Management.

Prior to studying law, she was a journalist working in radio, television and newspaper. She began in radio news at KHEY Radio in 1981. She then became a television news anchor and reporter for KVIA TV, and later a business reporter for the El Paso Times.

In addition to her legal practice, Stephanie is a recognized advocate for transparency in government and open records laws. She is the recipient of the Legacy Award, the “Pantalones” award, and the El Paso/El Chuco Person of the Year for 2014. She is a past-president of the El Paso Press Club, the El Paso Women’s Bar Association, and El Paso Women’s Bar Auxiliary. She also served as a director on the Board of the El Paso Bar Association and Nazareth Nursing Care Center. She has received awards for her writing, including topics such as Elder Law, Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning and Probate.
She obtained her law degree in 2002 from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Texas-El Paso. She is a graduate of the Law School Preparatory Institute at UT-El Paso, and was the first woman graduate of the program to be licensed in Texas. She is the proud mother of two daughters, one of whom is a partner in her law firm.