Contact: Todd Burns, 277-1816

October 28, 2002 JARAMILLO KNOWS VALUE OF HARD WORK, EDUCATION Hard work, dedication and a love of learning are three traits that made President and CEO of Ranchers Banks Henry Jaramillo Jr. a success. And just like his homemade wine, Jaramillo gets better with age. Born and raised in Belen, Jaramillo learned the value of hard work early in life while working for his father at Henry's Markets. After high school, Jaramillo attended New Mexico State University, then New Mexico A&M, on a football scholarship. A knee injury ended his collegiate football career, and in 1952, Jaramillo transferred to the University of New Mexico Business School. While attending UMM, Jaramillo continued to work for his father. With the business doing well, Jaramillo found it difficult to focus on higher education dedicated himself to work instead. "I wanted to 'do' not stay in school," Jaramillo said. He worked for the New Mexico Bureau of Revenue from 1953-54. In 1960, he was the Ranchers Banks director, and by 1963, Jaramillo became president and CEO of Ranchers Banks, a position he maintains. He was the president of the New Mexico Bankers Association from 1973-74, chairman of the New Mexico State Police Board and served on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors in Washington D.C. Jaramillo describes the D.C. Board of Governors as the pinnacle of his career. "It is the most powerful group in the world for monetary planning," he said. Though he excelled in his professional life, Jaramillo maintained a love for education. Jaramillo went back to school and earned a bachelor's and a master's from Western California University through correspondence courses. Jaramillo served 12 years on the UNM Board of Regents, eight as board president. As a regent, he helped create and name the Anderson Schools of Business. According to Jaramillo, he voted for tuition increases, not to hurt students, but to keep government out of education. He said internal not government influences should run a school. Jaramillo also served eight years on the Southern Methodist University faculty in Dallas. He helped create the Southwestern Graduate School for Banking, a program that gives graduate students practical experience in business and banking. His father, who promoted education at length in Belen, inspired Jaramillo's love for education. Henry T. Jaramillo Elementary School is named in his father's honor. Jaramillo continues to learn. He enjoys history, has traced his lineage back to Spain and produces a calendar using old photos of Belen. Then there is the learning that comes with winemaking. He began making wine 18 years ago. Jaramillo said that the business is a continuous learning process. He now has four acres of grapes and a wine cellar. His wines include traditional tastes like Baco and his own creations such as a Vidabel, a combination of a Vidal and a Colobel. His several New Mexico State Fair awards are mounted in the cellar. Like the wine he creates, Jaramillo is getting better with time. He said he probably will not retire until he is "in the permanent town motel." Jaramillo's advice for success is that, "there is no substitute for hard work," and, "the harder you work, the luckier you get."

The University of New Mexico
Public Affairs Department
Hodgin Hall, 2nd floor
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0011
Telephone: (505) 277-5813
Fax: (505) 277-1981