Mario LaFragola, the Business Advisor at Western New Mexico University’s Deming Small Business Development Center, was recognized last week as New Mexico’s Financial Services Champion by the U.S. Small Business Administration New Mexico District Office.
The award was presented at Albuquerque’s Sandia Golf Club last week during a breakfast ceremony hosted by the Small Business Administration, the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce and the New Mexico Small Business Development Center Network.
“I think that the award is reflective of the network working as a team. I try to take the knowledge I have and share it through the network to help everyone get money, and that’s what most of our clients need,” LaFragola said. “By working together, we can do so much.”
“The New Mexico Financial Services Champion Award is a well-deserved honor for Mario LaFragola, who provides financial advice to entrepreneurs and small business in this area,” said Dr. Miguel A. Vicéns, Associate Dean of Western New Mexico University’s School of Business, which oversees the Small Business Development Center.
LaFragola joined Western New Mexico University’s Small Business Development Center in March 2016 and currently heads up the satellite office at the university’s Deming campus in the Mimbres Valley Learning Center.
“Mario’s contributions to Western New Mexico University’s Small Business Development Center team include economic development support for the people Luna, Hidalgo and Grant counties. With his mastery of finances and vast experience in the banking industry, Mario is always the right person to consult when it comes to starting a business,” Dr. Vicéns said.
LaFragola holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Technology and a Master of Business Administration in Management from NMSU and enjoyed a career in banking before coming to the Small Business Development Center.
Since 2008, LaFragola has served on the Board of Directors for the Deming-Luna County Economic Development Corporation, the Deming Arts Council and Deming MainStreet. He now serves as the Chairman of the Revolving Loan Fund development committee for the Deming-Luna County Economic Development Corporation.