Zia: A More Complete History
Courtesy of the Los Alamos Historical Society Archives & Collections.
The Zia Company Name
As World War II ended and Los Alamos ceased to be a miliary operation, Robert E. McKee, a general contractor whose operation had supported the war effort, agreed to take over management of the town. However, he stipulated that this effort must belong to a new company, and that this new company required its own name. In Washington, D.C., with Major General Leslie R. Groves, Lt. Col. W. A. Stephens, and others, Robert McKee’s General Manager, Jack R. Brennand, suggested the name the “Zia Company,” and the group agreed1.
Thus, in 1945, the Zia Company was founded to manage the needs of Los Alamos, and the company became a vital part of the region's development.
Zia Credit Union Begins
In 1955, a group of 200 individuals from Zia Company, still support contractors for the Los Alamos National Laboratory, formed a committee to explore the need for a member-owned financial institution, and they founded Zia Credit Union.
First Location
Zia Credit Union’s first location was at Room 1, at 342 9th Street, Los Alamos. This is remarkably close to Zia’s current headquarters. Zia is one of only two financial institutions founded in Los Alamos that remains headquartered here, today.
Zia Name and Sun Symbol
The Zia name and sun symbol hold deep historical and spiritual significance, rooted in the enduring culture of the Zia Pueblo.
The Zia sun symbol embodies the Zia peoples’ sacred number four, representing the four cardinal directions, the four seasons, the four times of day, and the four stages of life. It is bound by the circle of life, and it also signifies the four sacred obligations: a strong body, a clear mind, a pure spirit, and devotion to the welfare of others. This sacred emblem is more than a design; it reflects the interconnectedness of all things in a harmonious universe, as viewed by the Zia people.
The Zia sun symbol has become iconic. Adopted for the New Mexico state flag in 1925, its rays radiate meaning as symbols of unity, resilience, and connection to the land. Its use carries a profound acknowledgment of the spiritual and cultural heritage it represents, necessitating respect and understanding of its sacred nature.
Recognizing qualities deeply rooted in the Zia Pueblo’s cultural ethos, as well as qualities in our Zia Company founders, Zia Credit Union propels the cooperative spirit of the credit union movement, and it reflects the enduring values of collaboration, community, and mutual care.
Zia Credit Union’s Expansion
In 1955, Zia Company employees formed Zia Credit Union to provide financial resources and support to their colleagues and families. Zia began as a state-chartered credit union for Zia Company employees. In 1975, Zia membership expanded to include the entire community of Los Alamos. By 1995, it expanded once again to include all people living, working, or worshipping in Rio Arriba County. In 2008, ZIA membership opened to Santa Fe and Taos counties.
ZIA CU Today
Today Zia is a thriving, member-owned, cooperative financial institution with over 13,000 members. While our roots remain firmly planted in Northern NM, we serve our members wherever they may be. From digital and online banking, to 30,000 fee-free ATMs, to 5,600 shared branches, Zia serves its members with excellence.
Bringing the best financial products, with the very best, most personal care, Zia helps its members live better.
At Zia, we Light the Journey, providing better finances and brighter futures for our members and our communities.
1958 Zia Credit Union Board of Directors: Ernie C de Baca, Harry Moore, John Hall, Hugh Hancock, and Louis Kilgares.