ABOUT US
Friends of New Mexico Fisher House
OUR VISION
Easing the burden on our Veterans and their families during difficult times.
OUR MISSION
Provide financial assistance to the New Mexico Fisher House, built by the Fisher House Foundation and located on the grounds of the Raymond G. Murphy Veterans Medical Center in Albuquerque, to support America's veterans in their time of need by providing a "home away from home" that enables families to be close during their hospitalization.
HISTORY
Dedicated on October 11, 2019, the New Mexico Fisher House is the 85th comfort home constructed and donated by the Fisher House Foundation to a VA or military installation.
Families are referred to the Fisher House by the medical care team. Guests in VA Fisher Houses lodge on a first come/first served basis.
Take a Peek Inside the House
THE BOARD
Nancy Jordan - President
Nancy spent 40 plus years working in the banking and financial services industry and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communicative Disorders from the University of New Mexico. Her career focused on financial operations for consumer and commercial lending.
Her love of Veteran’s was greatly enhanced when she married her husband, a Vietnam Veteran over 30 years ago. As such she is a staunch supporter of the Veteran community and has volunteered for numerous Veteran non-profit organizations over the years. Currently she serves as President of the Friends of New Mexico Fisher House Foundation Board and Treasurer of the New Mexico Veterans’ Memorial. Pervious veteran focused volunteer positions have been with the Willamette Chapter of the 1st Cavalry Division Association, Oregon Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, Willamette National Cemetery; and the Hollywood District Veteran’s Day parade.
Darlene Allen - Vice President
Darlene has been a strong Advocate promoting New Mexico’s 1st Fisher House since 2014. Her project as Department President, for the State of New Mexico 2014-2015 was the ABQ Fisher House where she raised over $24,000 in donations from various contributors. She continues to raise funds for the ABQ Fisher House. She has been an active representative for “Friends of NM Fisher House” since 2014 and has attended many events, such as Memorial Day, Veterans Day at the NM Veteran’s Memorial, State Fair for Military Appreciation Day, The American Legion State Convention and many other Veterans organizations and Community Events.
Darlene is an active and dedicated member of the American Legion Auxiliary for 25 years and has served in many Officer positions and held Committee Chairmanships at Unit, District and Department levels of the organization. She has also held many National Chairmanship over the past 9 years and has attended the Veterans Creative Arts Festival in Kalamazoo, MI, and St. Louis, MI. She volunteers at the Raymond G Murphy VA Medical Center, the NM Integration Center “Stand Down,” the American Legion Veterans Organization and serves as VAVS Representative for the American Legion Auxiliary. She is also a member of the United Veterans Council (UVC), the Moose International organization and currently serves on the Board for the Friends of New Mexico Fisher House and has been an active Board member for the past 5 years.
Darlene has retired after 43 years of service from the Healthcare Industry in the Business Administrative, and Management positions. She continues to stay active in the Healthcare Industry by volunteering at the VA Medical Center.
Darlene is Dedicated, Committed and Believes in the Mission of “Friends of New Mexico Fisher House” and is Proud to Serve and Support our Veterans and their Families.
Patricia Barger - Secretary
Patricia has been a member of the Friends of the New Mexico Fisher House since 2018 and she is currently serving as Recording Secretary.
Patricia was admitted to the Daughter of the American Revolution (DAR) in February of 2009 and is a member of the Lew Wallace Chapter. Her focus in DAR has been on Veteran’s Issues, Education and Conservation. She was elected Honorary State Regent in 2023 after serving a term (2021-2023) as State Regent.
Patricia is a summa cum laude graduate of the University of Maryland with
a degree in Business and Management where she was a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Societies. She studied International Relations at Georgetown University before relocating to California and completing a Juris Doctor degree at the University of La Verne where she was inducted into the Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity.
After retiring as an advisor to high net worth individuals for over 25+ years, and prior to moving to New Mexico, she completed a degree in Interior Design from the University of California.
Patricia has extensive experience as a business owner and financial planner. She has put this experience to use as a member of several
non-profit boards, e.g. Paws and Stripes, Alice King Community School Governing Council, Sandoval County Master Gardeners, Bernalillo County Master Composters and is Chair of the Rio Ranch Parks and Recreation Commission.
Patricia and her husband Michael will celebrate their 50 th wedding anniversary in April 2024. They have two children and three grand-daughters. Her interests are: antiques, history, interior design, investing, gardening, crafting, reading, conservation, veterans’ issues, volunteering and traveling.
Mike Devereaux - Treasurer
Born in Casper, Wyoming, Mike’s family lived in Gallup and Santa Fe as a younger child, however moved back to Casper, where he graduated and very active in band, playing low brass. Mike joined the Marine Corps in 1977, training and working as a power plant technician on A6 aircraft. He was stationed in Japan, the Philippines, Washington, and California, honorably discharged as a E5 Sergeant. He then worked on heavy equipment back in Wyoming’s coal mines and drilling companies.
Continuing his love for aviation, Mike completed his A&P License with Colorado Aerotech and was hired by Continental Airlines in Houston, Texas; was married in 1985 and transferred to Denver, Colorado, where he served as a Line Mechanic and Maintenance Control Supervisor for ten years.
Wishing to remain in the Rocky Mountain region after Continental moved major aircraft maintenance to the East coast, Mike accepted a technical position with Intel Corporation, moving to Albuquerque to raise their two young daughters. Mike and his wife later started their own small business purchasing a mobile oil-change service which propelled them into building and owning Texaco Xpress Lube facilities and later owned and operated Document Imaging of the Southwest which became a very successful document scanning business, also offering electronic document management systems for medical facilities, governmental agencies, attorneys, schools, and many utility and private companies.
After twenty years in the business, Mike and his wife sold their imaging company and eased into retirement to enjoy their grandchildren, traveling, or spending time at their vacation home in Vallecito, Colorado. Mike is a member and past President of the Executive Association of Greater Albuquerque, and served on Boards for the Rainbow Girls Foundation of NM, Vallecito Property Owners Association, and has become passionate about the NM Fisher House and the great help it provides to our country’s service members and their families.
Ruby Garcia - Sergeant at Arms
Blue Star Mothers of America Rio Grande Chapter 2 New Mexico
-2nd Vice President
Friends of the New Mexico Fisher House-Board Member/Sergeant at Arms
American Legion Womens Auxiliary Unit 72- Board Member
Background Actors Association of New Mexico President
Former Ms. Classic New Mexico
Ruby is a retired flight attendant and a former APD/City of Albuquerque employee and currently an actress in New Mexico. She is a proud Mother, Grandmother. Ruby enjoys volunteering her time in the community and is dedicated to helping our Veterans and Military families and also a proud advocate in the Albuquerque community.
Judy Casados - Board Member
I live in rural Harding County, my husband Robert Casados and I own a small ranch. My husband is the 4th generation of the Casados Ranch. I'm a volunteer firefighter almost 42 years a volunteer EMT for 18 years. I joined the American Legion Auxiliary in late 2001. I qualify to be an Auxiliary member through my husband Robert, a Vietnam War Era Veteran.
I'm a 2022-2023 Past Department President of the American Legion Auxiliary the Department of New Mexico, my department project was the Fisher House. My husband and I continue to support the Mission of the American Legion, supporting all Veterans.
Robert Casados - Board Member
I’ve been an American Legion member for 25 years and the Past Department Commander in 22/23. Active Volunteer Firefighter for 45 years and Fire Chief for 17 years. A Volunteer EMT for 18 years. Harding County Commissioner for 8 years. Rancher/Cattle producer all my life in Harding County.
Riley O'Neal - Board Member
Alta Wisdom - Board Member
Board member Alta Wakefield Wisdom is a proud Air Force brat, and an even more proud mother of two Army soldiers. Supporting her son through recovery of a battlefield wound, reinforced the idea that family truly is the best medicine. Fisher House makes the best medicine possible for our active duty and veteran community.
%20(Posters)%20(4%20x%205%20in)%20(3).png)