LAS CRUCES, N.M. – New Mexico State University’s College of Business will honor distinguished alumni for their exceptional career achievements and contributions to the business community at the 2024 Hall of Fame banquet. The event will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 26, at the Las Cruces Convention Center, located at 680 E. University Ave.
Each year, the College of Business recognizes alumni who have excelled professionally and attribute their success to the education they received at NMSU. This year’s awardees are no exception.
“Hall of Fame awardees are COB alumni who have gone on to have remarkable careers and make significant positive impacts in their communities,” said Bryan Ashenbaum, dean of the College of Business. “This year’s honorees have reached the top of their professions as CEOs of major financial and insurance institutions. Their commitment to NMSU is extraordinary, as they devote considerable time and resources to helping our students succeed and to advancing the university’s mission.”
The 2024 Hall of Fame inductees include Joe Christian and Kellie Mixon.
Christian, the president and CEO of Nusenda Credit Union, was the first in his family to attend college. He earned a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in finance from NMSU in 1983, and credits his education for shaping his nearly 40-year career at Nusenda.
“NMSU’s education allowed me to influence Nusenda Credit Union’s growth and collaborate with technology companies during the early days of online financial services,” Christian said. “The MBA program taught me concepts that have impacted the credit union’s strategic direction and helped integrate innovation into both our workforce and consumer services.”
Mixon, the president and CEO of New Mexico Mutual, graduated from NMSU in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Over her 28-year career at New Mexico Mutual, the state’s largest workers’ compensation insurance provider, she has led initiatives to drive innovation and deliver excellent service to policyholders, workers, and partners.
“I’m honored to receive this award and join such a successful group of NMSU College of Business Hall of Fame awardees,” Mixon said. “The College of Business gave me the foundation for a successful career, and I’ve carried NMSU’s commitment to growth and learning with me. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on understanding and addressing the needs of our state, and now I collaborate with other business leaders to help New Mexico thrive.”
In addition to the Hall of Fame honorees, Berry J. Mullennix will receive the 2024 Traders Award, and Lauterbach Borschow & Co. will be recognized with the 2024 Corporate Traders Award. These awards honor individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the College of Business.
Mullennix, president and CEO of Panther Energy III in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has over 35 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. A successful entrepreneur, he has started and sold multiple companies in the sector and has remained connected to NMSU through financial support and mentorship of students.
“My time at NMSU laid the foundation for my entrepreneurial career,” Mullennix shared. “I give back because NMSU played such a key role in my development as a businessman.”
Lauterbach, Borschow & Co., the region’s largest team of certified public accountants, has supported NMSU’s mission by helping students develop the skills necessary for business success.
“At Lauterbach, Borschow & Co., we understand the vital role NMSU’s College of Business plays in fostering future leaders,” said Matt Kerr, managing partner. “Supporting NMSU means investing in the next generation of professionals who will drive economic growth and innovation in our region.”
The 2024 Hall of Fame banquet will celebrate the achievements of these individuals and organizations while highlighting the strong ties between NMSU and the broader business community.
