Pioneer Bank is a COMMUNITY BANK which provides products and services that foster community well-being. Investments in real estate development and local business growth translates into job creation, affordable housing, and increased public revenue. Pioneer Bank began its volunteer program, Team Pioneer, in 2017. Through the volunteer program, the Bank has donated resources to hundreds of community nonprofits, with its employees volunteering almost 3,700 hours of their own time in 2019 in support of the community’s endeavors.
Non-profit organizations now have the opportunity to contact the Bank to request financial contributions or request volunteers. Many of the Team Pioneer team members are involved in a variety of community organizations. As a community bank, Pioneer is committed to making a positive difference by engaging in meaningful and effective programs that work to improve the quality of life in our own communities and neighborhoods.
Pioneer Bank is proud of their partnership with the White House and is a Certifying Organization for the President’s Volunteer Service Award. Being approved as a Certifying Organization, Pioneer Bank is responsible for verifying community service hours and delivering the PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD to honor its volunteers with the one of the highest honors – Presidential recognition.
Hours are measured over a 12-month period and awards are designated based on cumulative hours. The President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) recognizes, celebrates and inspires our volunteers to lead the charge. The awards are offered in multiple levels and are designed to recognize each milestone of a volunteer’s service achievement. Levels include bronze, silver, gold and the highest honor, the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for those who contribute more than 4,000 hours of service in their lifetime.
Pioneer Bank is proud to announce that five Las Cruces Team Members have gone above and beyond in volunteering for their community and have each earned a 2019 Presidential Volunteer Service Award at various levels.
This is Kiel Hoffman’s second Silver Award, having volunteered over 352 hours. Kiel is the Market President of the Las Cruces Pioneer Banks branches and has been for the past 15 years. In total his banking career spans over four companies and 34 years. He is past Chairs of the Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce, Mesilla Valley Economic Development, Mesilla Valley Hospice, the Conquistadores and Big Brothers Big Sisters. He is a former board member of the Bridge of Southern New Mexico and is currently Treasurer for the March of Dimes and Revolution 120. He also serves in the capacity of Military Base Commissioner (appointed by the Governor) for the State of New Mexico and sits on various committees including LCPS’s Count Me In, the Chambers Junior Leadership Program, Team WSMR, March of Dimes Executive Leadership Team and many other committees. In 2019 he also became a big brother under the Big Brother Big Sisters program. He is a graduate of University of New Mexico where he received a bachelor’s degree in business and accounting. In addition, He graduated from New Mexico Military Institute where he received an associates degree and a commission in the United States Army. He is married to Bethany Williams and is the proud father of two daughters, Sidney and Tori Hoffman and his step- son Drew.
Karissa Doan volunteered over 198 hours and has earned her second Bronze Award. Karissa is well-known in the Las Cruces community, being involved in so many events and organizations: Chair- Leadership Las Cruces- 2017, 2018, 2019,2020; Leadership Las Cruces Graduate 2010; Chair of Conquistadores ; Greater LC Chamber of Commerce Board ; Executive Leadership Team – March for Babies; Chair- AM Las Cruces ; Conquistador of the Year 2016 ; Volunteer of the Year Pioneer Bank – 2018; President of the United States Volunteer Bronze Award – 2017, 2018; Look Who’s Dancing Season 11 2018; Champion – March for Babies 2018- Top Walker ; High Heels for High Hopes Model 2017 1st runner up ; Circle of Champions- March for Babies 2015, 2016, 2017,2018; Look Who’s Dancing Committee ; Bataan Death March Volunteer
Las Cruces Young Professional Member; Thanks Team White Sands Missile Range Committee Member Big Brothers Big Sisters Mudd Volleyball Team Captain; Las Cruces Day in Santa Fe Committee Member; The Association Member – Business Women Group; Rotary Club of Las Cruces – Rio Grande.
Doug Baron has earned his first Bronze Award, volunteering over 175 hours in the Las Cruces Community. “For over 15 years, I have been a Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce Conquistadores (their goodwill ambassadors), and I am currently serving as Secretary/Treasurer for their Executive Board,” said Doug. ”I am a committee member for Las Cruces Day in Santa Fe, a Chamber of Commerce event that helps Las Cruces business and community leaders lobby state legislators for the needs of southern New Mexico. I am a long-time board member and the current Board President of ABODE Inc., an organization that provides housing for the homeless in Las Cruces. I currently serve as President of the Southern New Mexico Mortgage Lenders Association, a non-profit trade association of mortgage professionals in the greater Las Cruces market. I am a key organizer for Dress the Child, an organization that provides new clothes for under-privileged children in Dona Ana County. I support the March of Dimes by walking in their annual walk and raising money for their cause.
Darlene Stalder is also a first time Bronze Award winner, volunteering over 125 hours. “My community involvement and volunteering has been such a great experience and has led to many long-lasting business relationships,” states Darlene. “I have been a Conquistador for 5 years and we are the Good Will Ambassadors for the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce. We visit several new and existing businesses each month where I network with owners, employees and other attendees. I love to see how Las Cruces is growing and experience what the businesses have to offer this community. We also volunteer events that give back to our community for example Las Cruces Day in Santa Fe, Bataan Memorial Death March and WSMR military appreciation day that celebrates are military and their families. I also volunteer for other community events that other team members are involved with for example Money Smart, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Downtown events. I also volunteer for my church for events. I feel when an effort is made to be a positive part of our community then many personal and business relationships will be built. When you show you care about the community you live in, then customers will probably feel we will care just as much about them and how we do business in our workplace.”
Maria Ornelas volunteered over 110 hours and earned her first Bronze Award. She states, “I have dedicated some of my time volunteering for CARE, an organization that focuses on helping cancer patients (such as myself) pay for non-medical expenses while they receive treatment. This organization is very dear to me, I have helped with their annual fundraiser in Las Cruces at the ‘La Gran Fiesta’ charging admission fees. I also have participated in raising money for our annual March of Dimes fundraiser for premature babies — from selling baked goods to hosting car washes. Another cause I took upon myself to create is Guital’s Educational Foundation, an organization I had been wanting to for do for years. My organization mainly helps elementary students in Jalisco, Mexico with low resources with school supplies and to help pay for small projects that need to be completed at the school itself.”
“Pioneer Bank supports our local communities through our Team. We are a Community Bank that encourages our team members to get involved with their community,” stated Christopher G. Palmer, Pioneer Bank President/CEO. “As a community-focused bank, we are committed to make a positive difference by engaging in meaningful and effective programs that work to positively impact our hometowns. We are very proud of our Team Pioneer program.”
Along with the honor of presidential recognition, recipients received a personalized certificate, an official pin, medallion and a congratulatory letter from the President of the United States.
