Farm Credit Update

Peggy Jo Jones appointed to First Pioneer Farm Credit Board

First Pioneer Farm Credit recently announced the appointment of Peggy Jo Jones, of Boise, Idaho, as an outside director on its board of directors.

Jones is a consultant providing training and human resource services to Albertsons LLC, a major food and drug retailer.  Prior to her current role, Jones held positions of increasing responsibility with Albertsons over her 31-year tenure with the organization, most recently as vice president of human resources for its Southern California division, which includes 292 stores and two distribution centers and employs more than 30,000 associates.

Jones’s professional profile also includes the chairmanship of the board of directors for Northwest Farm Credit Services, one of First Pioneer’s sister associations in the national Farm Credit System.  The Northwest association, headquartered in Spokane, Washington, serves farmers and ranchers in Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.  In addition, Jones chaired that board’s compensation committee and served on its audit, finance, and financial services committees. [News release: Download PeggyJone_OutsideDirector_April18.doc ]

Bob Bahl named President and CEO of AgCountry Farm Credit Services

Commitment to customers and the future of agriculture and Rural America will continue to be the top priority for AgCountry Farm Credit Services under new leadership. Bob Bahl, who has been with the Farm Credit System for 28 years, became the agricultural lender’s President and Chief Executive Officer effective April 1st.

Bahl was President and CEO of Farm Credit Services of Grand Forks for 14 years. He began his Farm Credit Services career as a tax specialist, and then moved to VP of Administration, Chief Credit Officer and Executive VP before being named CEO in 1993. Bahl has served as Chief Operating Officer for AgCountry Farm Credit Services since April 1, 2007, under the joint management agreement of the merger process between FCS of Grand Forks and AgCountry Farm Credit Services. The merger was final on January 1, 2008. 

“I am excited to be a part of a company with such a passion for agriculture, “said Bahl. “Our talented staff continues to provide a depth of knowledge that is second to none in the agriculture industry, while providing the best quality products and financial services available to our customers.” [News release: Download bob_bahl_president_and_ceo4.doc ]

First Pioneer stockholders re-elect Dickinson, Gilbert, Lyman, and Wells to the board

Stockholder-customers of First Pioneer Farm Credit, ACA, re-elected four northeastern agricultural producers to its board of directors.  As a customer-owned lender dedicated to supporting agriculture, commercial fishing and forest products, these four individuals will continue as part of the 13 member board of directors that provide governance for the cooperative.

• John Dickinson operates Ideal Dairy Farm in Hudson Falls, NY with his wife, Denise, and parents, Nate and Lorraine.  Together they own and manage a 700-cow dairy farm and crop 2,000 acres of farmland.
• Andy Gilbert, a dairy farmer from Potsdam, NY, owns and manages Adon Farms, in partnership with his brother, Tony.  Together, the partners run a 750-cow operation while raising their own replacements, forage, and corn grain.  They also haul their own milk.
• John Lyman III is executive vice president of The Lyman Farm, Inc. in Middlefield, CT, an eighth-generation 1,100-acre diverse family farm, including a 400-acre orchard; a pick-your-own operation; agritainment; a thriving farm market, and an expanding bakery and pie business.
• Lyle Wells operates Wells Homestead Acres in Riverhead, NY with his children Jessica, Matthew, and Logan.  The eleventh-generation operation produces 85 acres of vegetables and cut flowers for sale through a variety of wholesale brokers into local supermarkets, restaurants, and institutions.  The family also markets directly to local farm stands.

“On behalf of the entire First Pioneer family of customers, directors, and employees, I congratulate these outstanding individuals on their re-election,” First Pioneer President and CEO Bill Lipinski said.  “All are proven leaders in their industries and dedicated to keeping First Pioneer at the forefront of successful companies serving Northeast agriculture, commercial fishing, and the forest products industry.” [News release: Download press_release_director_election_results_2008.doc ]

Berry Festival salutes CEO of Farm Credit of Central Florida

Richard W. Joyner, president and chief executive officer of Farm Credit of Central Florida for 11 years, was given a standing ovation this morning at his final Farm Credit Strawberry Salute Breakfast before his March 31 retirement. Joyner is retiring to focus on his family and his church.

"It's been a terrific career," said Joyner, who has been with the Farm Credit organization for more than 30 years. [Story: Tampa Bay Online]

FCS of Mid-America helps Tenn. firefighters defray cost of drought aid

In an effort to assist Johnson County farmers with the severe drought suffered this summer, Neva and Shady Valley Volunteer Fire Departments went the extra mile for their communities. Recognizing their capacity to transport water in huge quantities, they hauled the scarce commodity to area farmers for their scorching crops and thirsty livestock.

Friday of last week, Farm Credit Services of Mid-America made the decision to return the favor on behalf of the farmers they serve. Mike Blevins, Financial Services Officer for Farm Credit, presented checks to the two fire departments to help defray the costs incurred by their good deed.

“This last year with the drought and water shortage, lots of people ran out of water. Ponds dried up, streams dried up,” said Blevins. “To help farmers get through, the fire departments volunteered to haul water to these farmers until it did rain. Of course, there was expense involved there, and what Farm Credit elected to do was to help reimburse the fire departments for their expense. This will help put the money back in their coffers.” [Story in the Mountain City, TN Tomahawk]

Central Florida CEO departs to focus on family and church

After serving as president and chief executive officer of Farm Credit of Central Florida for 11 years, Richard W. Joyner has announced he will retire on March 31 and focus on his family and church.

"I felt a calling from a higher authority to devote more time to the needs of my church," said Joyner, an ordained minister of Baptist Purity Church.

Joyner, a Plant City resident, helped shepherd the farmer-owned cooperative through many changes and expansions, said Ron O'Connor, vice president of marketing for Farm Credit of Central Florida. During Joyner's tenure, the association's gross loan volume has almost doubled, from $341 million to $647 million, O'Connor said. Farm Credit is a major lender to farmers in the region.

Replacing Joyner as president will be Reginald T. Holt, who is senior vice president and director of Farm Credit's Agribusiness Lending Group, Bellotto said. [Read the full story in the Tampa Tribune.]

CoBank CFO elected to national Big Brothers Big Sisters board of directors

Brian Jackson, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer for CoBank, has been elected to the national Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Board of Directors. Jackson has served on the local Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado, Inc. Board of Directors for over a decade.  Jackson has served as Chairman of the Board the last two years.
 
“We are thrilled Big Brothers Big Sisters of America has selected Brian for the national Board of Directors.  Brian is an exceptional leader and his dedication to BBBSC programs is tremendous.  Brian’s knowledge and experience here in Colorado will translate very well to Big Brothers Big Sisters on a national level.  They are lucky to have him,” said Dave DeForest-Stalls, President/CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado. 

Jackson says, “I have enjoyed serving on the BBBSC Board in Colorado and am honored to join the Board of Directors nationally.  I believe in the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters and am excited to help impact youth across the nation.” Download brian_jackson_joining_bbbsa_board.pdf

AgFirst names new chief financial officer

AgFirst Farm Credit Bank has named Charl L. Butler to the position of chief financial officer.  Butler’s appointment was announced by Tim Amerson, AgFirst’s chief operating officer. Butler will be responsible for AgFirst’s finance and accounting functions. [Read the full news release.]

Myra Marcellin receives 2007 Pride of First Pioneer Outstanding Citizenship Award

Myra Marcellin, of Springfield, Mass., recently received the 2007 Pride of First Pioneer Outstanding Citizenship Award. First Pioneer Farm Credit President and CEO Bill Lipinski presented the award to Marcellin during First Pioneer’s annual meeting in Albany, N.Y. on March 26.

The annual award emphasizes the importance that First Pioneer’s management and board of directors place on employees who give back to their local communities. As part of the award, First Pioneer, a regional lender to agricultural businesses, donates $500 to the recipient’s favorite charity. In addition, Marcellin received a personalized plaque, and her name was added to a permanent plaque in First Pioneer’s Enfield, Conn. main office. [News release: Download First-Pioneer_Award.pdf]

AgFirst announces results of director elections

William H. Voss of McComb, MS, was recently elected to the AgFirst Farm Credit Bank board of directors for a four-year term beginning January 1, 2007. Re-elected to the board were Robert L. Holden of Whigham, GA, and Eugene W. Merritt, Jr., of Easley, SC. [Read the full news release from AgFirst]

William H. Voss

Robert L. Holden

Eugene W. Merritt, Jr.