Quietly Leading ABQ Development
By Robert Graham
The Industrial Asset Management Council (IAMC) recognized Gary Tonjes (BS 78) this spring with the Mary Jo Hanover Award. The award recognizes individuals who exemplify leadership, ethics, professionalism, mentoring and sense of community. IAMC qualifies as the premiere organization for economic developers, corporate real estate professionals and industrial asset managers. Executive Director of IAMC J.Tate Godfrey says that “Gary is one of those rare people who elevates everything he does, including lifting up those around him through his quiet leadership.” The Roswell Chamber of Commerce awarded Gary his first position in the economic development industry. “Winston Cox recommended me for my first job,” says Gary, who also worked for the Odessa, Texas Chamber before landing a position as president of the Joplin, Missouri Chamber of Commerce. “Joplin is where I had my first opportunity to lead an organization, so it laid a foundation that allowed me to return to my hometown and Albuquerque Economic Development (AED),” says Tonjes. Gary has served as President of AED since 1994. What’s the biggest difference between 1994 and now? “New Mexico has a significantly better business climate today. Changes to the tax code and creation of new incentives allows for better retention
and expansion of existing firms as well as the attraction of new employers,” says Gary. Albuquerque just recruited a software development company, and AED will announce two more employees shortly. Additionally, Tonjes believes that five existing firms may announce expansions before year-end representing 1,000 plus new jobs for the Albuquerque area.
Gary Tonjes
Inspiring Philanthropy By Amy Archuleta On National Philanthropy Day (NPD), Nov. 4, the Association of Fundraising Professionals New Mexico Chapter honored Noelle Bartl (BS 92) with the Outstanding Fundraising Noelle Bartl Professional Award in Albuquerque. More than 500 attendees from around the state honor award recipients and their contributions each year. National Philanthropy Day is observed across the nation to recognize the great contributions of philanthropy, and those people active in the philanthropic community, for the enrichment of our world. Noelle is the executive director of the ENMU Foundation and development director for ENMU. Since her return to ENMU in 2000, the ENMU Foundation has raised over $20.4 million in gifts, and the Foundation’s assets have grown to $16 million.
More significant than the growth is the fact that over $5 million was donated to support ENMU scholarships and over $7 million contributed to ENMU for institutional support. The current Stadium Campaign has raised over $14 million to date for this exciting and much needed $15.5 million project. ENMU President, Dr. Steven Gamble explained, “Noelle resonates with the mission, values, vision, faculty, students, and educational philosophy of today’s ENMU–and being an alumna she appreciates its history and treasured traditions.” Noelle has a deep connection with ENMU. As a public relation and journalism student in the 90s, she was involved in numerous campus activities and organizations and even met her husband John Bartl (AS 93) on campus. That deep connection with ENMU serves not only as common ground when speaking with ENMU supporters, but also as passion to advance the University and its mission. “Years from now looking back, I’d like my career legacy to have been the leader to transform the ENMU Foundation from a small non-profit foundation with big dreams to a significant foundation making dreams happen,” Noelle explained. “Long-term relationships will be the key to this success and I enjoy nurturing those relationships with my fellow alumni and ENMU friends.” Green & Silver | November 2015
9
