CONTACT UbF

For more information, or to become involved in the work of United By Friendship, please write to us at

United by Friendship
336 Camino Santa Cruz
Española, NM 87532

Residence: Española, New Mexico

Background: Deborah was raised in Guatemala. She attended the University of Oregon Health Sciences Center where she graduated with a degree in Nursing. She practiced nursing in a variety of settings, including a migrant health clinic in Oregon, Ob/Gyn at Grady Hospital in Atlanta, and was the director of Clinical Services for a Home Care and Hospice for 9 years. She is currently working part time in home health care in Española New Mexico.

She participated on medical teams to Guatemala from 1991-2001. At that time she became increasingly interested in partnering with communities in Guatemala to improve their public health. She is active in Rotary and has coordinated a number of international humanitarian projects for Rotary.

Residence: Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Background: Greg was raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He graduated from Northeastern State with a BA degree in History. He owned his own automotive parts business in Tulsa for 22 years and moved to Rio Rancho in 1996 to participate in the opening of Don Chalmers Ford. Greg is a Fleet Manager at Don Chalmers Ford.

Greg has been a member of Rotary since 1983. He participated in the 2007-2008 Rotary Medical Project to Guatemala. He had the "adventure" of driving ambulances from Albuquerque to Guatemala for that project.

He and his wife Karen have three grown children. Their oldest son recently accepted a teaching position at the American School in Guatemala City.

Residence: Albuquerque, New Mexico

Background: Tim was raised in Embudo, a small village on the Rio Grande in Northern New Mexico. He received a BS and an MS in mechanical engineering from Stanford University. Tim quickly transferred his engineering skills to computer software development and has had an extremely fulfilling career as a consultant.

He joined Rotary International in 2008 and joined the volunteer team for the 2010 trip to Guatemala. The trip was not only rewarding but insightful. Tim enjoyed being part of the numerous projects as well as getting to know numerous new friends in Guatemala.

Tim is married to Trulee and they have one daughter, Simone.

Residence: Santa Fe, New Mexico

Background: Ken graduated from University of New Mexico in 1971 with a BBA in accounting. He graduated from the Southern Methodist University Graduate School of Banking in 1973. He worked for the Sunwest Banks in New Mexico for thirty-five years and was the president of Sunwest Bank of Farmington for eleven years and later the President of the Sunwest bank of Santa Fe for six years.

Ken joined Rotary in 1977 in Farmington and was the president of the Farmington and the Santa Fe clubs. He was an assistant district governor and a lieutenant governor and a Paul Harris Fellow. He heads up the immunization program for the New Mexico Rotary. In 2007 Ken was award the Service Above Self award by his Santa Fe Rotary club.

His interests are economics, investing, reading, travel and enjoying my family. He was a volunteer on the 2007 team to Guatemala.

Residence: Chimayo, New Mexico

Background: Margie van Lent joined the United by Friendship board in March, 2010 following an inspiring and eye-opening trip to Guatemala with the 2010 volunteer team. She has traveled to other underdeveloped countries and was impressed and moved by the people of Guatemala. They are survivors of so much and yet approach life with a cheerful, can-do attitude. They are resourceful, hard working and above all determined to improve their lot in life despite many obstacles. It is an easy leap to want to help.

Margie is a physical therapist who has worked in many medical settings through the years, from East to West, and is currently a home care physical therapist in northern New Mexico. This is a most rewarding way to maximize multiple skills and to help those who are striving to help themselves, similar to those in Guatemala. She is married to Peter and has two children and five grandchildren. Her interests are helping preserve wildlife, gardening, travel and newly learned creative arts.

Residence: Seattle, Washington

Background: Jane grew up in Texas and spent her summers in New Mexico. She moved to the Northwest where she obtained a MBA at the University of Washington. After beginning her career in consulting engineering, she has worked in municipal finance for over 25 years.

Jane became involved with United by Friendship in 2007 and considers herself fortunate to have participated on volunteer trips to Guatemala with UbF teams. She is committed to helping the people of Guatemala through her efforts with UbF. She is particularly impressed with the people of Guatemala who are so generous, hard-working and kind.

Her interests are hiking, reading and travel.

The administrative expenses of UbF are minimal. In particular, no officer of UbF nor any member of his/her immediate family or relatives receives any salary, wages, fees, rent, interest or other monetary remuneration from UbF. Travel to project sites may be reimbursed at economy class rates only. Administrative expenses are limited to supplies, communication, and audit and legal services.