The Anti-Defamation League Mountain States Region held its 2018 annual meeting on Wednesday, June 13, 2018. ADL’s Board approved a slate of new board members and inducted Melinda Quiat as its Chair. ADL’s Mountain States Region is pleased to welcome three long-time New Mexico leaders to its board: Jeffrey Baker, Jeffrey Diamond and Janice D. Paster.
Jeff Baker has been a trial lawyer for over 40 years. In addition to a very active civil rights, legal malpractice, elder abuse, wrongful death and serious accident practice, Jeff is a member of the State Bar of New Mexico Client Protection Commission, serves as a special disciplinary counsel to the New Mexico Supreme Court and is a member of the Supreme Court Code of Professional Conduct Committee. He is also on the board of Albuquerque Film and Music Experience and is the Executive Producer of a short anti-bullying film, “The Time that Remains’. Jeff served on ADL’s New Mexico board for over 25 years prior to New Mexico joining the Mountain States Region. “When an elected member of the Washington, D.C. City Council claims that the Rothschilds are controlling the climate for financial gain, when a candidate for the state House in Oregon feels comfortable equating Muslims with ISIS, and when the Attorney General of Wisconsin accepts thousands of dollars from an anti-gay organization, we need the Anti-Defamation League. I want to make a difference, and the ADL offers the opportunity to make a difference.”
Jeff Diamond is the CEO of the Jeff Diamond Law Firm, a law firm that focuses on social security and other disabilities, personal injury, guardianships and conservatorships. He served on ADL’s New Mexico board since 1977. Jeff co-founded Temple Beth Israel in Carlsbad and has served as President of the Carlsbad Jewish Congregation. He is very active in many other civil, philanthropic and community organizations including the Carlsbad Mental Health Association, New Mexico Cancer Council, Carlsbad City Council, Carlsbad Board of Education, New Mexico Occupational Therapy Licensing Board and the New Mexico Rehabilitation Council. He is the founder of www.listentoyourmom.org for cancer funding and education support for the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Janice D. Paster is a retired attorney, former New Mexico State Senator and present-day non-profit activist. She is either currently serving or has served on the boards of the Southwest Women’s Law Center, Jewish Community Foundation, Jewish Federation of New Mexico, National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation and New Mexico Voices for Children. She served on ADL’s New Mexico board since 2015 and is anxious to offer her expertise to continuing ADL’s presence in New Mexico now that it is a part of the Mountain States Region. “In these tumultuous times it is more important than ever to stand up against hate and discrimination against Jews and other minorities. The Mountain States operation is an impressive one in Colorado. I would like to assure that we are equally effective and visible in New Mexico and that we are prepared to raise our voices at crucial times.”
Regional Director Scott Levin noted,
We are grateful that so many esteemed members in our region will be lending their talents to the work of the ADL Mountain States Regional Board. We especially look forward to having Jeff Baker, Jeff Diamond and Janice Paster, with their long track record of leadership in New Mexico, lend their guidance and expertise to the Mountain States Regional Board.