The tale of Gary and Thoula Mallory is more than a Greek love story. It is a testament to the American dream, shaped by family, hard work, and a deep commitment to education.
Those values guided their lives and their business, and today, they take root at New Mexico State University through an endowed scholarship centered on business and nursing students — creating opportunity for the next generation to grow and build lives of their own.
Roots in Family and Community
Their journey began in a close-knit Greek community in northern New Mexico, where faith, family and perseverance defined daily life. Thoula’s parents immigrated from Greece in pursuit of opportunity, opening the Franciscan Cafe along Route 66 in Grants. Like many Greek families who helped shape the region’s hospitality industry, they built their lives through grit, resilience and a commitment to a better future.
Thoula grew up immersed in that environment, working in the family restaurant from age 12. It became an education of its own. “My parents only had a sixth-grade education,” she said, “but they were the smartest people I knew.” From them, she learned not only how to run a business, but how to treat people with respect and care.
For Gary, the son of a Greek mother and a father from rural North Carolina, those same values took shape in different ways. As a boy, he was trusted with responsibility early — sent to a local nursery to pick up parts and repair his family’s sprinkler system. “The owner said, ‘I’ll put it on your account,’” Gary recalled. “It made me feel so grown up and respected. I never forgot that.”
His father’s advice stayed with him: “Don’t act like you’re better than others.” It became a principle that shaped both his leadership and his life.
Growing the Business
Gary and Thoula met through their Greek Orthodox church, married young, and set out to build something of their own. Thoula earned a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of New Mexico, and Gary came within 12 credit hours of completing his degree.
In 1973, they founded Heads Up Landscape Contractors in Albuquerque, inspired by a basketball principal Gary valued: keep your head up to see the whole field. That mindset — staying aware, thinking ahead and trusting others — became the foundation of their success.
What began as Gary’s love of gardening evolved into a thriving company that employed more than 300 people over four decades. But for the Mallorys, success was never just about growth; it was about people. “We learned early on that employees often have the best solutions,” Gary said. “You just have to listen.”
That philosophy shaped not only a business, but a community, one that expanded their definition of family well beyond their own home. They treated employees as oikogéneia, the Greek word for family, and built lasting relationships rooted in respect and care.
Meaningful Connections to NMSU
As their business grew, so did their connection to New Mexico State University. In searching for talented employees, the Mallorys found them in NMSU graduates. “They were consistently excellent,” Gary said. “We just kept bumping into NMSU, and every time, it reinforced what we value.”
That connection deepened over time. The couple offered internships, visited campus regularly, and shared their experiences with students. Gary also supported Future Farmers of America (FFA) events at NMSU, judging landscape design competitions and mentoring students from across the region.
David Batista ’06 is a living example. After graduating from NMSU with a BS in Agriculture (Horticulture), Batista was struggling to find an opportunity in Las Cruces until his NMSU advisor connected him with the Mallorys. “Gary believed strongly in bringing in young talent, encouraging new ideas and giving people the freedom to grow.”
Still with the company today, Batista says he will always be grateful for his experience. “Together, Gary and Thoula are a great example of what it means to build a successful business while maintaining humility, strong family values, and genuine care for others.”
A Legacy That Looks Forward
When the time came to give back, the Mallorys focused on what mattered most: education. “New Mexico has been good to us,” Thoula said. “We wanted to give back in a way that would truly make a difference.”
After making donations through the years to provide annual scholarships, they recently decided to deepen their investment when they established the Mallory and Hanges Endowed Scholarship for the College of Business or School of Nursing at NMSU, reflecting both their entrepreneurial journey and their daughter’s career in oncology nursing. “Helping a student get an education can change a life,” said Gary.
Their giving to the new endowed scholarship was intentional and forward-looking. Using qualified charitable distributions from Gary’s IRA, they aligned their philanthropic goals with sound financial planning. With guidance from their advisor and the NMSU Foundation, the plan came together quickly.
The goal is simple: help students stay in New Mexico, earn their degrees, and build careers that strengthen communities across the state. “We need more well-trained professionals in this state, and we need to keep them here,” Gary said. “Education is how that happens.”
For the Mallorys, giving is also about setting an example. They taught their three children to think about spending, saving and giving, and to understand the importance of supporting others. “You’re meant to pass on your blessings,” Gary said, “not just to your family, but to others.”
Gary and Thoula Mallory’s story is a powerful reminder that opportunity changes lives and that each of us can help create impact.
You can make a gift to the Mallory and Hanges Current Use Scholarship for business students at alwaysanaggie.org/donate/mallory-and-hanges-current-use-scholarship. To support future Aggies, consider establishing your own endowed scholarship. Contact your NMSU Foundation representative, or Steven Covington, executive director of Estates and Gift Planning, to discuss a gift through your IRA at (575) 201-9023 or plannedgiving@nmsufoundation.org.