He was warm and sociable with a keen business acumen – he clung to an old-school chivalry that contrasted with his forward-thinking thinking.
These qualities were part of Don Ortiz Sr.’s distinct personality and helped him in his endeavors as a banker, stockbroker, father and political ally.
Ortiz died Monday at his home in Rio en Medio, aged 87, near Santa Fe, the city he was born in, grew up in and spent most of his life. And where it left its mark.
“He was gifted with tremendous charm, charisma and intelligence that irresistibly attracted people,” said lawyer Marty Esquivel, who blames Ortiz for helping him graduate from law school. “Because of these qualities, he was able to achieve many different things in his life.”
Ortiz also exudes a fatherly strength, Esquivel said, which made him a strong mentor to him and many others.
He was the son of Frank S. Ortiz, who was mayor of Santa Fe from 1948 to 1952. His father’s tenure rubbed off on him to spark a lifelong interest in politics but not enough to run for elected office.
Ortiz became active in the Democratic Party and got to know Govs well. David Cargo, Bruce King and Bill Richardson said Esquivel.
“He was close to all of these governors,” he said.
Ortiz graduated from the University of New Mexico with a degree in political science in 1958. He declined to attend Georgetown Law School because he had a young family and instead went to a computing firm in Washington, DC.
In 1964 he returned to Santa Fe to work as a stockbroker for Quinn & Co. Soon after, he switched to the up-and-coming Edward Jones & Co., became their 38th broker and opened his own branch in 1965.
In 2017, Edward Jones employed 16,095 brokers, the majority in the country.
Though his feet were firmly anchored in financial practice, Ortiz showed his fascination for cutting-edge science a decade later. After becoming chairman of the Southwest National Bank in 1975, he built another type of institution.
At Ortiz’s request, the country’s first active solar energy bank was established in
St. Francis Boulevard and San Mateo Drive. Financing was secured with the help of a progressive bank board member.
“Back then, the country was going through an energy crisis and I just thought it was time to try to become less dependent on fossil fuels,” Ortiz said in an interview with The New Mexican a decade ago. “Back then it was a new approach, especially for a company. People from Japan and other countries came to see the operation. “
While helping oversee the bank, Ortiz founded Fidelity Realty and opened the Don Juan Gallery & Gift Shop in Sena Plaza.
The name of the shop became a running joke.
Joe Sisneros, 58, a long-time family friend who worked in the gallery, told the female patrons that they were in the presence of don Juan, the legendary man of women.
At Sisneros’ urging, they asked Ortiz if he was don Juan.
Ortiz always replied, “Every chance I get.”
“I would always have a great laugh about it,” said Sisneros.
The reference to don Juan wasn’t entirely off the mark. Ortiz was married four times and had six children. And he was never lacking in female company.
“All the women I’ve ever seen him with have been beautiful,” said Sisneros.
Ortiz had a style of his own that matched his personality, Sisneros said. In winter he could be seen walking around town in a Russian fur hat, something no one else in Santa Fe wore, he said.
Sisneros said Ortiz had been a patient mentor who taught him the arts, including how to develop relationships with customers.
Sisneros now owns the Rancho Chimayó Collection Galeria.
“He was like a father to me,” said Sisneros. “He touched people in a certain way, where he was always very warm and open-minded and very positive. He loved people. “
Esquivel, who first met Ortiz through his son Don Jr. more than 40 years ago, also described the older Ortiz as a father figure he needed during a difficult time in high school.
Esquivel recalled part of the time he’d deviated from law school and even considered journalism instead – when Ortiz pushed him to graduate from law school and become a lawyer.
He took Ortiz’s advice and has a thriving law firm 30 years later, Esquivel said.
Esquivel said it was an example of how Ortiz could affect his surroundings. He can connect with anyone from political leaders to restaurant operators to random people on the street, Esquivel said.
“He really could talk to anyone,” said Esquivel.
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