Born in Illinois farm country, JoAnn has been a resident of New Mexico since 1965; she has resided in Albuquerque for eighteen years. She is the mother of two children, Rachel, who is currently pursuing an advanced degree in Social Work at the University of Denver, and Sam. Sam died in an accident in Thailand in 2002 and JoAnn sponsored a Habitat home in Albuquerque and then organized many family and friends to help construct this house in her son’s memory. At the same time, she organized a Challenge House in which she encouraged members of the Greater Albuquerque community to raise the funds and recruit the volunteers to build a second home. In this manner, two homes for two deserving families were built simultaneously and a personal tragedy became the catalyst for meaningful change.

JoAnn has an extensive resume of volunteer service, with a focus on community health and youth. From 1978 to 1982, she served as a board member of the Jemez Valley Medical Clinic in Jemez Springs. From 1982 to 1990, she was both a member and officer of the Board of Directors for the American Women’s Club of the Philippines. For twelve years, JoAnn volunteered and served as a member of the Board for Amigos de las Americas. Other past involvement includes the Boy Scouts of America, the USA Girl Scouts Overseas, the American Red Cross and the Literacy Center of Albuquerque. JoAnn currently serves as a stakeholder on the Peer Review Committee for the American Cancer Society in Atlanta, Georgia. With Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity, JoAnn has been a Family Advocate, Office Volunteer, and member of the Land Acquisition Committee. She became a Board Member in 2005 and is one of the two adult advisors who have spearheaded the establishment of Youth United, Habitat’s youth initiative, for the Albuquerque affiliate.

Rosanna has over 20 years of experience in the accounting industry, with well-rounded experience working with non-profit, governmental, architectural, engineering, construction, and CPA firms. Her purpose in life is to help others find their way in life. Her burning desire is to help as many people as she can succeed and save money.

Information coming soon!

Joan (Joani) Costello joined the GAHH Board of Directors in 2006. Originally from Minnesota, she transplanted to Phoenix where she lived for 15 years, and worked for Bank One, AZ. Joan lived in Albuquerque for a short time in the mid 1990’s where she worked in Private Banking for First Security Bank. When she married her current husband, Jim, they moved to Denver where she continued her work in Private Banking and later became CEO for First Medical Credit Union for four years. Joan’s 31 year career in the financial services industry includes Management, HR, Marketing, Sales, and Training.  She and her husband were happy to return to the Land of Enchantment in 2005. Joan is currently a Vice President for Bank of the West.

As a firm believer in giving back to the community, Joan as been involved in volunteer work for over 25 years. She served on the board of directors for Phoenix Clean & Beautiful, American Cancer Society Jailathon Committee, Special Olympics and Chaired the Heart Walk for Bank of the West in 2007. Prior to her work in financial services Joan was a nurse, and her desire to reach out and become involved with families lead her to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for Arapahoe County, CO. She was also involved with Habitat for Humanity and, after returning to New Mexico, joined the board of GAHH to further her commitment to helping those in need. The most rewarding experience of all for her is to witness the excitement of the families when their homes are dedicated.

Joan chaired the Silent Auction Committee for the 2007 Building Friends and Funds Breakfast, serves as chair for the Family Selection Committee and is currently president-elect of the Board. In addition to GAHH, Joan serves on the Board of Directors for Albuquerque Little Theatre.

Dave is a retired Nuclear Engineer. Originally from Western Pennsylvania, he and his family "settled" in New Mexico in 1965. After a career in the USAF he was a member of the technical staff and supervisor at Sandia National Laboratory, where he specialized in nuclear facility safety and security from 1976 to 1987. After leaving Sandia in 1988 Dave was a Principal Consultant and later Branch Manager with Ogden Energy and Environmental Services doing nuclear safety and risk analyses for the DOE until his retirement in 1995.

Active with Habitat for Humanity since mid-1997, Dave has served as house captain on five homes and been involved in numerous others. He was a member of the Board of Directors for GAHH from March of 1999 to June 2006, becoming President in 2004. Dave accepted the invitation to return to the Board in July 2007. He chairs the Finance Committee and is a member of the Building Committee and the SWAT team.

Dave says he feels called to Habitat by his faith and has said that he finds working with Habitat and our partner families the most rewarding volunteer work he has done.

Information coming soon!

Stephanie is the Managing Member and Qualifying Broker of Granfors Realty, LLC, a small real estate brokerage firm specializing in home and land sales in the greater Albuquerque and surrounding areas. With over 25 years experience in the real estate industry, Stephanie is both proud and honored to bring her expertise to the Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity and to serve on its board. Additionally, Stephanie chairs the Land Committee, the group charged with locating home sites for Habitat families and managing donated real estate. Originally from Michigan, Stephanie was lured to Albuquerque in 1983 by the excellent skiing opportunities in the winter, the beautiful scenery, and exciting outdoor activities year round. While always familiar with Habitat’s work, she recently had the opportunity to witness firsthand the deep dedication of the volunteers and significant role Habitat plays in our society. She was immediately impressed and appreciates the chance to participate in this positive, worthy mission.

I came to New Mexico from Wyoming in 1970 after graduating from the University of Wyoming with a BS in Mechanical Engineering where I joined a small consulting engineering firm (Allison Engineering). Work, music (bass guitar), and motorcycles were main time commitments in my life. Things begin to change. I met my wife-to-be and married Kathryn in 1971.Two beautiful daughters and a granddaughter in 2006 make me understand some of the meaning of life. After 17 years of designing mechanical systems with Allison Engineering during the week and racing motorcycles and off road cars on weekends, I realized that I was actually building a career, a marriage and a family. I left Allison in 1987 to continue to join Bridgers & Paxton Consulting Engineers.  As a principal and owner of the firm I was fortunate to manage many hospital expansion projects which led me to serve on the Presbyterian Hospital Foundation since 1992.  I found there is more to life than work and play. Helping others and raising money for the foundation is spiritually rewarding. After retiring in January 2006, I assisted my wife in her Meals on Wheels participation, and joined GAHH. Thanks to a past president Michelle Harmon, GAHH was on my list for several years as a place to devote some time and offer some assistance once I retired. When I am not traveling with Kathryn, or on one of my motorcycles traveling to interesting places, I hope to help enhance the mission of the GAHH.

Mike joined the GAHH Board of Directors in 2006.  He was born and raised in Michigan, he moved to Albuquerque after receiving his Bachelors in Engineering Arts and Master’s in Business Administration from Michigan State University. Mike works for Sandia National Laboratory where he is a Senior Manager in the Controller and Pension Center.  He has been married to his wife Barbara for the past 25 years and they have two boys, Matt (a sophomore at NMSU majoring in Aeronautical Engineering) and Steve (a senior at Eldorado).  They also have a third boy (Max, the mutt) who helps out around the house whenever he can.  Mike’s a firm believer in giving back to the community and has been involved in volunteer work for many years. He is active in his son’s Boy Scout Troop where he is an Assistant Scoutmaster and goes on as many camp outs as he can. He says it allows him an excuse to camp, backpack, and fish as much as possible. He has been active on a number of GAHH Sandia builds and serves on the GAHH executive and nominating committees.  He serves on the board of directors because of his firm belief in GAHH’s mission: “…making it possible for low income families to own simple, decent, affordable homes.”

Information coming soon!

Joe Varro joined the Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity (GAHH) Board of Directors in April 2005. Joe is the President & CEO of DSRM National Bank (owned by Valero Energy Corporation) and has over 17 years of Financial/Banking experience.

Joe has been married for 17 years to Sandy whom he met at New Mexico State University (NMSU). They have an 11 year old daughter and an 8 year old son. He graduated from Grants High School in 1986 and went on to receive his BBA in Human Resource Management from NMSU. He also holds a MBA from the University of Phoenix.  

He has been a long time believer in giving back to the community. He does this by volunteering his time to the following organizations: ACCION New Mexico, Albuquerque Reads, CNM Foundation (Board Member), AYSO, NMSU Crimson Central Aggie Alumni Chapter (Board Member), and Special Olympics New Mexico. Joe encourages others to do volunteer work, as he states “you get back more than you give.”

Joe is proud to be a part of Habitat because he believes in their mission statement: “…. making it possible for low income families to own simple, decent, affordable homes.” He has attended many home dedications and has witnessed the pure joy in the faces of the new homeowners.