Alumni Award Recipients

Larry Abraham
Zia Award, 2011

Photographer. Mayor of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque. Realtor. Chef. Husband. Entrepreneur. Furniture store owner. Banker. Father. UNM supporter. Avid sportsman. Hobby Rancher. Contractor. Community leader. I could go on, but that list gives you idea of who Larry Abraham is. Maybe it would just be easier to say that Larry is a renaissance man -- and the model one at that.

But what sets Larry apart from other successful renaissance types is that he does so much in the service to his community. Larry says his ultimate goal as a public servant is to have a great influence on the direction of the quality of life in New Mexico and especially how higher education relates to the quality of life in our state.

Born in Santa Fe, Larry moved to Albuquerque in 1972 and attended UNM where he earned a business degree. Then he went about the business of putting that degree to work. In the following decades he would start, own, or manage more than 15 successful businesses including a leather furniture store, a realty firm, a turquoise company, a cellular phone company, and an automotive services company just to name a few.

A friend says Larry is straightforward, fair, highly respected, and a “real doer” -- someone who gets things done. In that spirit, Larry was elected as mayor of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque in 2004 and was re-elected in 2008. As mayor, Larry has put the Village on stable financial ground and elevated it from a sleepy burg to a dynamic, vibrant and name recognized community. At the same time, he’s held many positions on regional governing bodies including the Mid-Region Council of Governments.

True to his nature, that’s not all Larry is doing. He continues to serve on various community boards and his service to his alma mater is exceptional. Beyond his long time involvement with the Lobo Club, Larry was also a founding member of the Tom L. Popejoy Society, UNM’s giving society.

When he’s not leading a meeting, serving on a board, or attending a community event, Larry can be found working on his photography business, spending time with family and friends . . . and dogs . . . and like all great renaissance men, cooking!

Larry still has years of career and personal success ahead of him and he’ll undoubtedly continue to make an important difference in our community, but he’s already met his goal of improving the quality of life for people in New Mexico.

Larry, because you have dedicated so much of your life and talent to improving the lives of others, and also for your long time support of UNM, it is our honor and privilege to present to you our 2011 Zia Award. Congratulations, Larry!