Joe Rivera

Joe M. Rivera, age 71, passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Albuquerque, NM. He was surrounded by family and loved ones at the time of his death. Joe Manuel Rivera was born on Tuesday, August 12, 1952, at the Dixon Hospital in Taos, NM. Joe was born to Jose M. Rivera and Mary Magdalene Esquivel. Joe was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Aurora Valdez and Lola Sanchez, and his brother John Rivera. He is survived by his beloved wife, Bert Rivera and his cherished daughter and son-in-law Barb and Steve. Joe graduated from Taos High School in 1971. In his Senior Year, he represented the State of NM in the national competition for the Office Educators Association Business Practices Award, and received first place. This prestigious award was given to him by the Governor of NM. Joe also graduated from the University of New Mexico with a Degree in Finance.

After graduating from UNM, Joe worked for the United States Department of Labor and in that capacity, along with the help of former United States Senator Pete Domeneci in Washington DC, provided for further job opportunities for unskilled workers in the State of NM. He then continued in the field of finance and became the Accounting Manager for the Albuquerque US Employees Federal Credit Union (Now known as US Eagle). During his last year at this Credit Union, he started up the Internal Audit Function. New Mexico Educators Federal Credit Union (Now known as Nusenda) hired him as their Senior Vice-President of Internal Audit. During his over thirty years in this position, he served as President of Internal Auditor Association, Albuquerque, NM Chapter. Joe also served as the Director of the Southwest United States Region of Credit Union Auditors. During this time, Joe submitted and received First Place in the United States for best audit program competing with all the other credit union internal auditors in the United States. Also, during this time at this position, he earned the following certificates:

 C.U.I.A:

C.F.S.A:

C.F.E:

C.I.A.

Credit Union Internal Auditor

Certified Financial Services Auditor

Certified Fraud Examiner

Certified Internal Auditor 

This is the most world wide acclaimed certification. Joe persevered through all the time it took him to get his certificates and did not stop until he achieved his goal. Joe always gave our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, all the glory and honor for his successes. Joe knew that nothing would have been possible without Jesus. Joe was always appreciative and thankful for the strong faith that the love of his life, his wife Bert, has. Bert encouraged and supported all his endeavors. Joe and Bert recently completed forty-four years of marriage. They renewed their wedding vows on their forty-third anniversary.