Board of Directors
Edward L. Lujan
Edward Lujan’s father, Manuel Lujan Sr., established the agency in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1926 and for over 80 years, the Lujan name has been synonymous with insurance throughout the state. As former CEO of New Mexico’s oldest and largest privately owned agency, Edward retired in 1997 but remains active as chairman of the board and family patriarch.
Commitment to community is one of the agency’s core values, and Edward continues his father’s tradition of serving the community. He was instrumental in establishing the National Hispanic Cultural Center and is now chair emeritus of it and the National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation. Just a few of his community leadership roles include former chairman of the New Mexico Economic Development Commission; he served on the board of directors of the Albuquerque Economic Development Corporation and was chairman of the state Republican Party from 1983 to 1987 and was a member of the Republican National Committee. Edward currently serves as vice chair on the National Dance Institute of New Mexico’s board. He is also a member of New Mexico State University’s Foundation and Business Advisory Council, and UNM’s Anderson School of Business Foundation. He received the prestigious Ethics in Business Award for Individual Excellence from the Samaritan Counseling Center in 2009.
Edward was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico and is a graduate of New Mexico State University with a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in education. New Mexico State University named him Outstanding Alumnus in 1988 and awarded him an honorary doctorate of law degree in 2000.
Edward L. Lujan
Shareholder / Chairman of the Board
E. Larry Lujan
E. Larry Lujan, President and CEO of the Manuel Lujan Agencies (MLA), is the grandson of the firm’s founder, Manuel Lujan Sr. An important part of the New Mexico insurance community since 1926, MLA is the largest independent insurance agency in the state that also offers consulting services.
MLA sells more than just insurance; MLA’s belief and passion is to help businesses and communities prosper so that they can continue to grow and support the economics of the state of New Mexico. Through our experiences and those of our clients, we design and create innovative solutions to meet our client’s needs.
Larry earned his B.A. in Management and Marketing from New Mexico State University in 1976 and earned his Certified Insurance Counselor, CIC, designation in 1988. During his time at New Mexico State University (NMSU), Larry was on the golf team in 1975 and 1976.
Larry is active in the New Mexico community and serves as Chairman of the Spanish Colonial Arts Society and Museum Board. He is a board member of Youth Development, Inc. Foundation, Albuquerque Community Foundation, Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, Santa Maria El Mirador Foundation, and the New Mexico State Foundation. Larry is the recipient of the 2007 James F. Cole Memorial Award for Service, presented to him by the Executive Council of the NMSU Alumni Association for the support he has shown NMSU and for his civic and humanitarian service and professional service to the university.
Larry was the past President of Intersure, a consortium of 41 large insurance and risk management firms consisting of the best entrepreneurial and technical minds in the insurance industry. He also served as President of Columbine Insurance Company, a captive insurance company owned by a large group of agencies in the Western United States. In addition, Larry was a former member of Albuquerque Economic Development, Inc. and Albuquerque Public Schools Foundation.
Larry is married with two sons and enjoys golfing, fishing, hunting, traveling, skiing, and working.
E. Larry Lujan
Shareholder / President and CEO
Sarita Loehr
Sarita Loehr is the agency’s Chief Operating Officer and is a board member of the agency. In this capacity, she oversees the day-to-day activities of the company, including strategic development, branding, client services, I.T., Human Resources, and Employee Development. She is responsible for the design, operation and improvement of the systems that create and deliver the company’s products and services within the agency.
Sarita joined The Manuel Lujan Agencies in 2005. Prior to joining the agency, she was a former Vice President of Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM), where she retired after 26 years. Other positions held within PNM include Vice President of Gas Operations, Vice President of Customer Service, and Vice President of Human Resources.
A native of New Mexico and College of Santa Fe graduate, Sarita also holds PUEC (Public Utility Executive Course) and SPHR (Senior Professional Human Resources) designations. She is a Leadership Albuquerque and Leadership New Mexico graduate and has served as past chair of the American Heart Association’s board of directors. Sarita is a current board member of Intersure, a national consortium of 41 large insurance risk management and benefits firms.
Sarita Loehr
Chief Operating Officer
Joe Lujan
Joe Lujan is a board member, shareholder and vice president of the agency, responsible for the corporate sales process and directly managing the Large Commercial and Bonds Departments. In this position, he actively consults with many professional clients in the areas of risk management and the agency’s general consulting services division.
Joe graduated from New Mexico State University in 1985 and joined the agency shortly thereafter. During his tenure, he has held various management positions throughout the organization including Personal Lines Manager and General Sales Manager. As a well-respected insurance expert, he is an excellent mentor in sales and consultative approach implementation.
Joe is active in the New Mexico community, and is currently on the board of directors for the Association of Commerce and Industry of New Mexico (ACI). He is a graduate of Leadership New Mexico, recent past chairman of their executive board and current board member. He is past president of Independent Insurance Agents of New Mexico and past chairman of their board of directors. He is a New Mexico State University Business Council member and Goodwill Ambassador for Amigos de New Mexico, promoting economic development within our state.
Joe Lujan
Shareholder / Vice President, Large Commercial and Bonds
Stephen R. Byrd
Steve Byrd is a board member, shareholder and vice president of the agency overseeing the Employee Benefits department. For over 20 years, Steve has provided employee benefits consulting and brokerage services for clients on a local and national level. As a well-respected expert in this field, he has spoken to numerous groups locally and nationally on benefits plan design, healthcare data analysis, and technology’s role in insurance and employee benefits.
Steve is a member of the National Association of Health Underwriters and the Rio Grande Association of Health Underwriters. He serves on the legislative committee of the New Mexico State Association of Health Underwriters Association, the Lovelace Broker Focus board and is a Presbyterian Agent Advisory Council member. Steve was appointed by Governor Johnson and served on the New Mexico Health Insurance Alliance board through 2000.
A native of New Mexico, Steve attended the University of New Mexico and is a Certified Insurance Counselor for Life and Health Insurance. He is a Leadership New Mexico graduate and serves on their board’s core program curriculum committee.
