News Release

Dec. 20, 2002

PNM Recognizes Employee Volunteers of the Year

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NEWS MEDIA CONTACT Susan Sponar Telephone: (505) 241-2768

Albuquerque: PNM awarded two employees and one retiree Volunteer Excellence Awards for their commitment to New Mexico communities. Bob Borgeson, Larry Bryant and Jack Wilkins are the first-ever recipients of the PNM Volunteer Excellence Awards.

"Our employees and retirees continually give their time to nonprofits throughout New Mexico," said Diane Harrison Ogawa, PNM's director of Community Relations and executive director of the PNM Foundation. "Our three winners have gone the extra mile providing personal time, a unique role and leadership to nonprofits in our communities. They truly are volunteers of excellence."

Each Volunteer of Excellence Award winner accepted a check for $1,000 on behalf of the nonprofit that nominated him. The other 32 volunteers who were nominated for the award received checks for $100 each for their nonprofits.

Bob Borgeson of PNM Audit Services was recognized for his work with Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity. Bob was the job captain on the Habitat for Humanity home sponsored by PNM this year. In this position, Bob was responsible for supervising the entire construction, meaning that he was at the job site every Saturday during the 14-week project. Habitat estimates Bob spent more than 350 hours of personal time working on the house. Bob's leadership and expertise greatly contributed to the success of this project, PNM's first-ever Habitat for Humanity home.

Learn more about PNM's Habitat for Humanity project

Larry Bryant of PNM's Wholesale Power Marketing was honored for his dedication to New Mexico AIDS Services. Larry volunteers at least five hours per week in the organization's Necessities of Life Food Bank; he has given this time each Saturday for the past seven years. Larry helps clients shop in the food bank, making sure they purchase food for a balanced diet. Since the food bank is unable to purchase non-food items, Larry donates items such as personal care products for the clients.

Jack Wilkins, a PNM retiree, has worked with Camp Fire since he was 5 years old. His greatest contribution was his work with his late wife to develop KIDS CARE, a school-age child-care program. KIDS CARE became the flagship program for the organization, with the N.M. Council serving more than 1,600 children a day in 35 programs by 1995. KIDS CARE has been implemented nationally through 120 Camp Fire Councils in 40 states and the District of Columbia. He was president of the Council for six years and is a life-long member of the board of directors and chairs at least one board committee each year.