Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Patrick Johnson, Program Host: I am here with Duffy Swan. He is CEO of French Funeral and
Cremation Services. Now, French donated, I understand, $50,000 to get NMCareerMatch.com
off the ground. I mean, why NMCareerMatch.com? Is this something you had heard about before?
You were affiliated with? What got you interested? Duffy Swan, CEO of French Funeral and Cremation
Services: We had no knowledge of New Mexico Career Match -- that wasn't even a thought
at the beginning. What we wanted to do was to celebrate our 100th anniversary in 2007.
French was founded in 1907. Patrick: Oh, wow.
Duffy: French has served the same community through the same family -- still family owned,
for 100 years. And so to commemorate our 100th, we wanted to do something special. So we agreed
at the beginning of the year, we'll double our contributions budget. And we targeted
four areas, one of which was education, and one was economic development. But we really
weren't sure what we wanted to do. We just knew these were important for New Mexico.
And so I spent some time with Gary Tonjes, Executive Director for Albuquerque Economic
Development, and said, “Gary, we want to do something, you're the expert. We’re not
really sure what we want to do.” And he took a couple weeks and said, “Why don't
we put the education thought and the economic development thought together, and let's see
what can come out of that and those resources.” And that's how the $50,000 came. And at that
point, we still didn't have a New Mexico CareerMatch thought.
Patrick: Well, let me ask you this: what do you feel now that you're familiar with it,
and obviously given money to help get it going -- what do you feel is so unique about it?
Duffy: I think the distinction is that it links the job opportunities in the community
with people who have either grown up in New Mexico or who have left New Mexico and want
to come back. That it's a way for New Mexico to harness its talent, many of whom have left
the state. And now this is a way to help them come back.
Patrick: We'll be right back. Announcer: If you're looking to hire talented
graduates from New Mexico, click on the “employer” button to get started. Within minutes you
can post career opportunities and employer profiles -- NMCareerMatch.com, where New Mexico
graduates find opportunity. Patrick: We're back with Duffy Swan. Why is
it so important for you to stick with, you know, the local people?
Duffy: Because the people who understand the culture of New Mexico and the values of New
Mexico and the way New Mexico works, their sensitivities to the community, their sensitivities
to families, just tend to be a little higher, from that standpoint, and we try very hard
to hire local talent -- local people -- across a wide range of skill backgrounds.
Patrick: You mentioned that you feel it's really important to hire people here from
New Mexico who understand the traditions, the family values. And NMCareerMatch.com obviously
is something you feel very passionate about, as far as giving back to the community and
how it will benefit your business here in the future. How do you think NMCareerMatch.com
is going to help New Mexico job seekers? Duffy: Well, the benefit, I think, is that...
as businesses, as organizations look for talent, as job opportunities begin to grow, the link
to people who have New Mexico roots, who really want to be back, or who really want to work
in New Mexico, stay connected to their families, stay connected to their roots – that’s
the best combination you can have -- I've got somebody who has the talent and who really
wants to be here or who wants to stay here. Patrick: Well, thank you, Duffy. So if you're
interested in hooking up with superior talent here in New Mexico, get registered on NMCareerMatch.com.
And if you're looking for a great employer to work for -- get out there, get started,
get registered. NMCareerMatch.com. Thanks for coming in.
Duffy: You're very welcome. I enjoyed it. Patrick: Great!
Duffy: Thank you.
End of Interview Patrick Johnson/Duffy Swan 4