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By Jan H. Wolfe
|  Mel Adams is full of anecdotes and loves to talk. If you are on an elevator with him, he will know your whole life story by the time you get off. You’ll have a smile on your face and one of his business cards.
You have met the supercharged cheerleader of El Paso, Lt. Col (ret.) Mel Adams, succesful New York Life agent. He’s one of the busiest and happiest men in town and he enjoys spreading his happiness around.
Adams, 72, spent 22 years as an officer in the U.S. Army at a time when black officers were rare. His Southern charm soothed waters and his sharp intellect kept him moving up the chain of command.
When asked what he’s most proud of from his military career, he answers, “I survived Vietnam!” A quick giggle and then, “All the rest was easy.”
He said he actually had fun on his first tour where he was assigned to Intelligence.
“I briefed all the generals. I traveled all over Vietnam. I could get things done quietly in a war zone,” he said.
His gift of gab undoubtedly was honed in those days.
“He is a walking history book on the Vietnam war. He is also the most gracious, most giving individual,” says friend and co-worker Juanita Pasquale. “The negativity that a lot of [Vietnam] vets experienced, Mel turned his into positive energy.”
The most significant thing Adams did in the military was to integrate the Citadel, the military school of South Carolina. It had fought proudly for the Confederacy during the Civil War. As a state school, it had resisted all orders to bring in black officers as instructors.
Adams, by then a Major, was handpicked for the job in 1968 and was there for three years.
“It was harder on them than it was for me,” Adams said. “I knew what to expect but they didn’t know what to expect from me. I was a mean motor scooter then.”
After retiring from the Army, Adams moved to El Paso and joined New York Life as an agent. He was again a trailblazer, as he qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table and company awards after his first year in business and became a role model for future hires of all races. When he comes into the office every day, he takes the time to stop at the desks of the newer agents to say hello.
He has mentored and helped train hundreds of young agents. He has repeatedly won awards for being the most inspirational person in the office.
“What I have discovered is that his charisma is addicting, his clients love him, staff finds him a pleasure to work with and I look forward to him greeting me each day,” said New York Life General Manager Steve Nagy.
As for his clients, he pampers them like a favorite child. He has a coterie of elderly women clients, whom he calls his “little old ladies in tennis shoes.”
These are women with no network and no one to rely on, he says. He helps them with their major purchases, takes them to their lawyers, helps with funeral arrangements, drives them to the court and guides them through the probate process when necessary.
“He concentrates his positive energy into making people understand that every day is an important day,” Pasquale said.
Adams is also an avid runner and an outstanding photographer. One of his photos recently won a competition sponsored by the Lion’s Club and will go on to an international competition.
He is also known for his work with local charitable agencies. He serves on the board of directors of the Estate Planning Council, he’s a member of the Five Point Lions Club and he’s a constant supporter of the Child Crisis Center.
Stephanie Dodson, former executive director of the center, says that the first time she met Adams, he came in the front door and asked what we needed.
“I started talking to him and the next thing I knew, he was bringing in clothes, toys, shoes for the children, purchased out of his own pocket,” Dodson said. “He got colleagues and friends to do same thing. That part aside, he always is so cheerful and positive and likes to connect people with same interests. Mel is a genuine good guy.”
Comments or questions about this story? E-mail swsenior@elpasoinc.com
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