ETB Members and Admin
Established by New Mexico’s Education Trust Act, the Education Trust Board of New Mexico (NMETB or “the Board”) operates as a self-sustaining state entity.
A five-member Board of Trustees serves as the governing body over New Mexico’s IRS Section 529 college savings plans, Scholar’s Edge and The Education Plan (collectively known as “the Plans”). The Secretary of NMHED or the Secretary’s designee serves as the Board Chair. Two members are appointed by the Governor, and one each by the Senate President Pro Tem and Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The Board has the authority to appoint a program manager, adopt rules and regulations to implement and administer the Plans, and establish investment policies. The board is responsible for making rules and regulations for the development and implementation of the Education Trust Act.
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Natalie Cordova, CPA
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Executive Director is charged with managing New Mexico’s 529 Education Savings Program. Responsibilities include oversight of the implementation, coordination and monitoring of the Program’s investments, record keeping, administration, sales, marketing, website development and financial management.
Prior to joining the New Mexico Education Trust Board, Natalie Cordova served as Deputy State Auditor at the Office of the State Auditor and had previously served in various positions in the office in the Audit Division. She has a strong background in internal controls and external auditing and overall financial analysis. In addition to her work with the Office of the State Auditor, Natalie has served as Chief Financial Officer for the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General and the Public Employees Retirement Association. In 2019 she was the recipient of the Financial Manager of the Year and Outstanding Member in Government by the Association of Government Accountants and the New Mexico Society of CPAs, respectively.She received her Bachelor of Science Degrees in Accounting and Economics from New Mexico State University.
Carolyn Fittipaldi
MARKETING DIRECTOR
Carolyn is a seasoned marketing executive with more than 30 years of experience developing and implementing marketing and public relations strategy in multiple industries; including home improvement, broadcast media, hospitality/tourism, non-profit health and state government in New Mexico and California. Carolyn graduated from the University of New Mexico with a BA in Communication/ Journalism.
Natalie Zamora
FINANCIAL COORDINATOR
Natalie was born and raised in the state of New Mexico. She obtained a Master of Science in Accounting and a Bachelor of Science with a Degree in Accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson University, where she played Division I basketball and achieved Dean’s list and Cum Laude Honors, in addition to being a part of the Northeast Conference (NEC) Academic Honor Roll. Natalie held critical positions and served as student representative and advocate through; FDU Student Athlete Advisory Committee Team Board and Voting Member, member of student council for 3 years, serving as president, secretary, and treasurer, and represented the Women’s Basketball team in the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, NEC student-athlete conference. Natalie has several years of experience in the accounting and audit field with a diverse variety of clients.
BOARD MEMBERS
Gary L. Gordon
CHAIRMAN
Gary Gordon has crafted two careers as a courtroom lawyer and as an expert in the governance and financial management of non-profit organizations.
Mr. Gordon practiced with the firm of Miller Stratvert P.A. in Albuquerque for 23 years. His practice focused on courtroom work, and the New Mexico board of legal specialization recognized him as a trial specialist in civil law. His peers chose him for listing in Best Lawyers in America.
In 2004, Mr. Gordon concluded fifteen years of service as a trustee of Albuquerque Academy, including three years as board chair and seven years as chair of its investment committee. He then began service as a trustee of the University of New Mexico Foundation, serving as chair of its investment committee for seven years. He concluded two years as board chair of that
foundation in 2013 and served as a trustee for a total of 12 years. He has also served as a trustee or director for Albuquerque Economic Development and the
Albuquerque Community Foundation advising their endowment and reserve funds on allocation strategy as well as institutional investment and audit best
practices.
The board of trustees of Albuquerque Academy appointed him the school’s chief legal and financial officer in 2009, and he elected to retire from the private
practice of law to serve the Academy and further its mission of accessibility. He was accountable for the school’s capital market assets, real estate investments, and its publicly issued debt. He received both his business-finance and law degrees from the University of New Mexico.
Robert J. Desiderio
VICE CHAIRMAN
Emeritus Professor of Law Robert J. Desidero was the Dean of the University of New Mexico, school of Law from 1979 to 1985 and again from 1997 to 2003, and served as a professor of law for the school over several decades. Mr. Desiderio’s research interests include tax-exempt organizations, state and local taxation and remedies, and he is the author of several books. Mr. Desiderio practices with Sanchez, Mowrer and Desiderio, P.C., in the areas of tax-exempt organizations, tax law, and business and commercial transactions. He has the education and experience to handle major business transactions with federal tax implications and coordinates complex litigation matters. Mr. Desiderio is also experienced in the legislative and administrative process, having worked on many legislative projects for the New Mexico state legislative and Governor’s office.
Mont Green
MEMBER
Mont Green has worked and managed both retail and institutional client’s investments for over 35 years. He has held both the Series 7 and 66 securities licenses as a financial advisor, most recently with Morgan Stanley. He used Modern Portfolio Theory with retail clients to achieve the best risk adjusted returns based upon the client’s ability to handle and understand risk. Earlier he was the short date funding officer for the Citizens & Southern National Bank, Atlanta, over- seeing $3 billion in Fed funds, repurchase agreements, euro-dollar deposits, certificates of deposit and commercial paper issuance. He has over 20 years of leadership with several organizations as the Chief Operating Officer overseeing day-to-day operations.
He holds B.S. degrees in Business Administration and Economics from Oklahoma State University.
John Lawton Davis
MEMBER
Lawton Davis retired in 2014, after spending over forty years in the Automobile Business in Albuquerque. From 1999 through 2014, he was the Dealer Principle of Galles and Davis Motor Company, Inc. Mr. Davis held the dealer agreements for Oldsmobile, Cadillac, Subaru, Isuzu, Hummer and American General. He has a strong background in finance, management, marketing and accounting. He served on multiple manufacturer dealer councils including the prestigious General Motors Fixed Operations Advisory Board.
From 1989 through 1994, Mr. Davis served on the Emergency Medical Services Authority for the City of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County. He chaired this policy making Authority from 1990 through 1993.
Mr. Davis has an earned reputation for providing strong leadership, building lasting relationships and providing creative solutions for difficult issues. He is a graduate of the University of New Mexico and a veteran of the United States Navy.
Chamiza Pacheco de Alas
MEMBER
Chamiza Pacheco de Alas is currently the director of New Mexico programs for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF). In this role, she supports the foundation’s efforts to promote thriving children, working families and equitable communities in New Mexico. Pacheco de Alas is responsible for leadership and vision in program conceptualization, design, planning, programming, management, coordination, communication, evaluation, policy and learning of grantmaking in New Mexico. Pacheco de Alas leads statewide grantmaking priorities in collaboration and partnership with the New Mexico team, grantees, communities, and other stakeholders throughout the region.
Prior to her current role, she served as the chief of staff of the UNM Health Sciences Center (HSC). In that role, she served as senior advisor to the chancellor/executive vice president and member of the HSC executive leadership team. Pacheco de Alas was responsible for oversight of all public affairs for the HSC including government relations, community engagement, and communications. Pacheco de Alas led mission-based special initiatives at the Office of the Chancellor including those addressing behavioral health, homelessness, system improvements, and child abuse. Pacheco de Alas analyzed health policy and related issues and oversaw the successful passage of several substantive bills and significant increase in appropriations, including funding for a Child Maltreatment Center of Excellence, capital funding for a hospital tower, and Health Equity Scholarships for Medical students.
Pacheco de Alas is actively involved in her community, and she has close to 20 years of board service experience. Currently, she is involved in several local and national organizations, including serving as a Trustee of the Albuquerque Academy, a member of United Way of Central New Mexico's Women in Philanthropy and Young Leaders Society, State Bar of New Mexico – Children, Health and Law sections, American Health Law Association, and UNM's United Way Campaign Cabinet.
Pacheco de Alas is the recipient of numerous awards, including 1999 Harry S. Truman Scholar, 2019 Albuquerque Business Weekly 40 Under 40 awardee and UNM Regents Scholar.
A native of New Mexico, Pacheco de Alas received her BA in Political Science and Economics from The University of New Mexico and her Doctor of Law from Yale Law School.
