Craig Reeves built a banking career rooted in teamwork, trust, and Anderson pride

Craig Reeves never planned to go to college - let alone spend more than three decades leading a bank.

Reeves grew up on a ranch in Clayton, N.M., where college was not part of the conversation. One hot summer day, while building a fence with a close friend, everything changed.

"He told me he needed to take a week off to register for college at UNM," Reeves said. "I remember thinking how miserable it was outside and said, 'Man, I'm going to ask my parents if I can go with you.' I just went because he was going."

That spontaneous decision set Reeves on a path that would define his career. He graduated from The University of New Mexico's Anderson School of Management in 1984 with a bachelor's degree in business administration, concentrating in accounting and finance.

Reeves went on to spend 36 years in banking, serving as president and CEO of First National Bank of New Mexico, which operated branches throughout northeastern New Mexico. After retiring, he and his wife founded a finance company, FNBCash.

The friend who inspired him to enroll later became an attorney and eventually served as the bank's lawyer for more than 30 years. "I really owe him a lot," Reeves said.

At Anderson, Reeves said the classroom environment was unlike anything he had experienced growing up in a small town.

"I wasn't used to working in teams," he said. "The professors pushed us - calling on me in class, making me speak up. I was shy, but that's how they developed leadership."

One of the most influential aspects of his education, Reeves said, was that many of his professors were full-time professionals.

"They came to class in business attire and talked about real-life issues they were dealing with," he said. "That gave me real examples of how to lead people and solve problems."

Reeves credits an informal study group for sharpening his strategic thinking. The group met every morning and included students from vastly different backgrounds, including several women in their 30s balancing careers and families.

"They were tough competitors," Reeves said. "They made me a much better student."

A particularly meaningful connection formed with one of his professors, Pat Elliott, who taught his tax courses. Reeves was surprised during his first tax exam to see last names he recognized from Clayton, a town so small he assumed no one else at UNM could be from there.

"I thought I was the only person from Clayton who had ever come here," Reeves said.

After class, he learned that Professor Elliott, had grown up there as well and knew his parents and much of his family. The shared connection turned into a lasting friendship.

Years later, after Reeves became bank president at just 26 years old, she called to open an account with him.

"She taught me to always think about the tax implications of decisions," Reeves said. "That mindset stayed with me my entire career."

After her passing, Reeves said she was buried in Clayton, where he still visits her gravesite.

"I go by at least once a year and clean up her grave," he said.

After college, Reeves initially hoped to become an accountant but found himself drawn to banking instead - a field he had been exposed to since age 13 through family connections.

"When you look back," he said, "I was a much better banker than I ever would have been an accountant."

Early in his career, Reeves worked alongside graduates from elite universities but said Anderson prepared him just as well - if not better.

"I've worked with people from Harvard," he said. "I never felt like anyone got a better education than I did at Anderson."

For Reeves, success always came back to people.

"I focused on the team rather than just making money," he said. "If you take care of your employees, success follows, and that's exactly what happened to me."

His advice to students today is simple.

"You don't have to be the smartest person in the room," Reeves said. "Work the hardest, have a positive attitude and always be willing to do what's asked."

Looking back, Reeves says Anderson gave him confidence, foundation and pride and helped set him apart as a leader.

"I have tremendous pride in graduating from Anderson," he said. "It's a great business school, and it made all the difference for me."