Summer 2015 - Mississippi Land Bank

Part of the Farm Credit System
Mississippi Land Bank
mslandbank.com
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
A Message Straight From the Farmer
Abbott Myers,
Chairman
Every year, Farm Credit takes a group of young farmers and ranchers, including Mississippi Land Bank customers, to Washington,
D.C. The trip shows these up-and-coming rural leaders how our
financing cooperative is funded and how policy is made. It also gives
lawmakers the opportunity to hear about agriculture straight from
some of the food producers they represent.
Alan Blaine,
Vice Chairman
Morgan Gulledge
Jan Hill
Lawson McClellan
Keith Morton
Calvin Ozier
James G. Robison
Travis Satterfield
From our perspective, this is extremely important. Currently, there are only 29 farmers and
ranchers in the new Congress that was seated in January — 25 in the House of Representatives
and four in the Senate. An additional two House members own almond orchards and two are
vintners. Moreover, just 15 percent of the entire U.S. population lives in a rural area, according
to the USDA Economic Research Service.
Given those statistics, it’s no wonder that producers and rural residents often feel their needs
are overlooked or misunderstood in the political arena and the media. As every farmer and
rancher knows, government policies and regulations have an enormous impact on the agricultural sector. From tax and trade policies to the farm bill, the laws that are passed and the
programs that are implemented at the federal and state levels influence farmers’ and ranchers’
ability to earn a living and feed the nation. Policymakers also affect Farm Credit’s ability to
provide dependable and competitive credit to agriculture and rural America.
That is why Mississippi Land Bank supports the efforts of farmers and commodity organizations that lobby on behalf of agriculture. We are proud of our customers who play important
leadership roles in their rural communities and the farm sector, and we encourage individual
producers to do their part to educate elected officials about their business.
If we all speak up for agriculture, the message is more likely to be heard.
Sincerely,
Gary L. Gaines
Chief Executive Officer
A SSOCI ATION SUPPLE M E NT – SUM M E R 2015
IN THE NEWS:
UPDATE ON LAND BANK PERSONNEL
Tenure Awards
Births
Congratulations to the following employees who will reach
milestones with us this year:
Mississippi Land Bank proudly presents new additions to
the family:
5 Years
Lee Tucker
10 Years
Ben Beavers
15 Years
Brett Marlar
Linda O’Neal
35 Years
David Loftin
Promotions
Mississippi Land Bank is proud to announce the following
promotions that were effective Jan. 1:
Tyler Anderson, assistant vice president, Starkville
Scott Crockett, assistant vice president, Senatobia
Will Foley, assistant vice president, Tupelo
Bart Harris, vice president of branch lending, Starkville
Claire Pegram, chief financial officer
Matthew Raff, vice president and branch manager, Senatobia
Jeff Smith, assistant vice president, Clarksdale
Rob Taylor, vice president and branch manager, Cleveland
Lee Tucker, assistant vice president, Corinth
Matt Walden, chief operating officer
Weddings
We congratulate our staff member on her special occasion!
Chelsi Smith married Shelby Smith on April 18. Chelsi is a credit
analyst for the administrative office in Senatobia.
Stella Ruth Foley, daughter of Meghan and Will Foley, was born
on Feb. 27. Stella made her appearance two weeks early but
weighed in at 6 pounds, 10 ounces, and was 18½ inches long.
Will is an assistant vice president in the Tupelo office.
Ty Allen Tucker, son of Brittney and Lee Tucker, was born on
Dec. 23. Lee is an assistant vice president in the Corinth office.
Talynn Jayne Barnett, daughter of Megan and Adam Barnett,
was born on March 7. Talynn weighed in at 9 pounds,
1 ounce, and was 20 inches long. Talynn is the granddaughter
of Loan Operations Manager Stephanie Wilkie in the administrative office.
Honorable Mentions
Hannah Kimbrough, wife of Matthew Kimbrough, received
her master’s degree in education from the University of
Mississippi. Hannah is a ninth grade English teacher and head
girls’ soccer coach at Tupelo High School. Matthew is the
assistant vice president in the Tupelo branch.
Laura-Grace Broocks was named the 2014 Most Beautiful
Model of the Year by Child Model Magazine and is featured
on the cover of their recent issue. She is the 9-year-old
granddaughter of Mary (David) Pogue of the Corinth branch and
the daughter of Jonathan and Tracy Broocks of Columbus,
Miss. An honor roll student, Laura-Grace received the 2014
President’s Gold Award for Academic Excellence at Heritage
Academy in Columbus.
In Memoriam
Noland Edward Biglane passed away on April 22 in Natchez.
Mr. Biglane is the grandfather of assistant vice president
Hunter Taylor.
O’Neal Bailey, husband of retiree Reba Bailey, passed away on
Feb. 9 after a brief illness. Reba was the loan administrator in
the Tupelo branch office when she retired.
Ina Claire Boyd, grandmother of Chief Financial Officer Claire
Boyd Pegram, passed away on March 20.
David (D.H.) Prichard, former Land Bank employee, passed away
on Feb. 19 at the age of 92.
MISSISSIPPI LAND BANK
We Appreciate YOU . . . Our Customer!
The Mississippi Land Bank Board of Directors is very pleased to
announce the approval and distribution of a $2.8 million cash
patronage to the co-op’s customer-stockholders. Checks were
mailed to eligible members in February. The $2.8 million patronage payment is a result of a successful 2014 fiscal year. Mississippi
Land Bank is a cooperative lender, and as such, all customers are
stockholders of the co-op and benefit from its success. Since 1996,
Banking
at Your
Fingertips
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Mobile App!
Mississippi Land Bank has returned more than $24.6 million to its
member-borrowers.
“We are once again very pleased to be able to give back to our
borrower-customers and allow them to share in our success,” said
Abbott Myers, board chairman. “Our association’s financial operations and credit quality remain strong, and we look forward to
continued success in the future.”
Doing business with Mississippi Land Bank, ACA has
never been easier!
Our Ag Banking Online service and new Ag Banking
mobile application offer two great ways to manage
your accounts 24/7, whenever it’s most convenient.
All it takes is a computer or an Apple or Android
smartphone or tablet to:
• Track your account history, including your loan
payments, online transactions, patronage and stock
in the association
• Make loan payments from your business or
personal checking account
• Set up real-time, future or recurring transactions
•See branch locations and hours
If you already use Ag Banking Online, you can get access to the same features on your mobile device by
downloading our free app at the iTunes App Store or the Google Play Store. To use either service for the
first time, simply request access through your branch office or online at www.MSLandBank.com.
Mississippi Land Bank, ACA understands how important your cash flow is to the success of your business.
That’s why we offer several other convenient services to help you manage your financial transactions.
If you are not already using our cash management products, give us a call to discuss how they might
benefit you and your business.
MISSISSIPPI LAND BANK
MORE THAN 100 MEMBERS AND GUESTS ATTEND
2015 ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS MEETING
T
he 2015 Annual Stockholders
Meeting was held in Como, Miss.,
on April 16. More than 100 stockholders and guests attended the meeting
and luncheon.
While the ballots were being counted,
Gaines presented the branch achievement
awards based on 2014 financial results.
The winners were:
Board Chairman Abbott Myers gave
the directors’ report, and then President
Gary Gaines reviewed the financial results.
Nominating Committee Chairman Pat
Woods conducted the election process
with the help of Chief Credit Officer
Craig Shideler.
Clarksdale Branch.....................$33,138,154
Most Volume of New Money Closed
Most New Loans Closed
Starkville Branch...........................176 Loans
Highest Increase in Loan Volume
Outstanding
Senatobia Branch................................. 11.3%
Best Collection Percentage
Clarksdale Branch.............................99.96%
Outstanding Member and Public
Relations
Senatobia Branch
Overall Outstanding Performance
Rachael Carter, communications director
for Mississippi Women for Agriculture,
was this year’s guest speaker at the annual
meeting.
Senatobia Branch
Following the presentation of the branch awards, Credit Analyst Chelsi Smith introduced the speaker, Rachael Carter, communications director for Mississippi Women for
Agriculture. Carter spoke of how the organization came about in 2011 as a result of the
Annie’s Project. She noted that the purpose of the Mississippi Women for Agriculture
is to increase the knowledge and skills of women in all aspects of farm and agribusiness
management, including risk management. The organization helps women improve their
skills and strengthen their roles in the farming operation through a variety of educational
events and workshops. To learn more about this organization, visit the Mississippi State
Extension website at msucares.com.
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After thanking the speaker, Shideler, Loan Operations Manager Stephanie Wilkie
and Assistant Controller Jennifer Rhodes handled the drawing for four door prizes.
Stockholders who won gifts were Roy Parker, Pat Woods, Steve Cummings and
Charles Walker.
Finally, Woods informed the attendees that both incumbent directors, Travis Satterfield
and Alan Blaine, had been re-elected for three-year terms. After the election results,
Myers invited questions, and then adjourned the business meeting.
Director Keith Morton was called on to ask the blessing on the lunch.
MISSISSIPPI LAND BANK
Board chairman Abbott Myers, left, gives the directors’ report.
Land Bank employees, from left to right: Scott Crockett, Senatobia
branch assistant vice president; Jeff Smith, Clarksdale assistant vice
president; Lee Tucker, Corinth assistant vice president; Craig Shideler,
chief credit officer; and David Loftin, vice president of PCA operations
Land Bank staff draw for door prizes. From left to right are Chief Credit
Officer Craig Shideler, Assistant Controller Jennifer Rhodes and Loan
Operations Manager Stephanie Wilkie.
Staff and stockholders listen
as Board Chairman Abbott
Myers, far right, opens the
floor for questions.
MISSISSIPPI LAND BANK
ON THE BOARD
Directors Re-Elected in 2015
Travis Satterfield
Mac Alan Blaine
Travis Satterfield is a graduate of
Delta State University and a partner
in Satterfield Farms, which produces
rice, soybeans, corn and wheat in
Benoit, Miss., where he and his wife,
Nancy, reside. He also currently
serves on the board of directors for
Producers Rice Mill, Bolivar County
Farm Bureau, Delta Council and the
Mississippi Rice Council. The Satterfields have four sons.
Alan Blaine has a Ph.D. in agronomy
from Mississippi State University. He
owns and operates a timber, hay and
cattle farm in central Mississippi. He
is also a partner/owner in Southern
Ag Consulting, Inc., a crop consulting firm, and in Alliance Ag Risk
Management. Blaine is a certified
crop adviser and a licensed crop
consultant. He is a member of the Mississippi Farm Bureau and
the Mississippi Forestry Association, and is a life member of
the American Soybean Association, the Mississippi Soybean
Association and the Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association.
Benoit, Miss.
Borrower
Braggin’
Board
• John Rodgers Brashier, vice president of Consolidated Catfish
Producers LLC in Isola, has been named to the Agribusiness
Industry Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
• Carl Failing of Boy Scout Troop 4041 recently refurbished
Gillespie Park in Indianola for his Eagle Scout project. Carl is
the son of James Failing of Sunflower County.
• Shields Haire, son of Robin Haire, was featured for his service to
the community. After the tornado hit Tupelo in April 2014,
he wanted to help all the churches that were damaged by the
storm. To raise funds for them, he designed and sold more than
400 T-shirts. The project raised $8,000, which he donated to
four churches that were damaged by the storm.
• Jack Huerkamp and his son Brandon were featured on the front page
of Delta Farm Press’s Sept. 12, 2014, issue, in an article focusing
on farming technology.
• Mike Kirk, owner of U.S. Lawns, was voted the Best in Union
County for lawn care in 2014.
Starkville, Miss.
Mississippi Land Bank proudly congratulates
our borrowers who’ve been recognized in the
North Mississippi media for their various awards
and achievements. Some of those mentioned in
newspapers recently include the following.
• Travis Satterfield was elected chairman of the B.F. Smith
Foundation.
• A ribbon-cutting and open house was held on Oct. 24 for the
Coldwell Banker Southern Real Estate office in New Albany.
Mitchell Scruggs was pictured along with Matthew Kimbrough
of the Tupelo branch office. Mississippi Land Bank houses a
satellite location inside the building.
• Sledge Taylor was named chairman of the National Cotton
Council for 2015.
• Mississippi state Rep. Tommy Reynolds and his wife, Liz,
established the Venable-Cummings Scholarship at Northwest
Mississippi Community College in appreciation of the
contributions made to the youth of Tallahatchie and Yalobusha
counties by Martha Joe Venable of Charleston and Steve Cummings
of Coffeeville.
• Lane Mitchell, grandson of Dean and Linda Mitchell, received
a bronze Congressional Award medal from U.S. Sen. Roger
Wicker in November.
• Julie White, Oktibbeha County Extension agent, is the first
Mississippian to be selected to participate in the American
Farm Bureau Federation’s Partners in Agricultural Leadership
class. She was featured in the April 24 issue of Delta Farm Press.
Julie and her husband, William, are customers of Mississippi Land
Bank’s Starkville office.
• Clint Russell was featured in the section of the Cleveland
Current’s April 5, 2015, edition in an article about farming row
crops in Sunflower County.
• Lonzo Caldwell was featured in the Tate Talk section of The
Democrat on Feb. 17, 2015. Mr. Caldwell retired from the
Coldwater Post Office after 20 years.
MISSISSIPPI LAND BANK
Land Bank Members Attend Farm Credit Young Leaders Program
A
t Mississippi Land Bank, we are
proud of all of our members, and
are especially pleased when our
young producers shine. Among these are
John Paul and Ashley Brooks of Van Fleet,
Miss., who, because of their dedication to
agriculture and to taking on leadership
roles in their community, were selected
to attend the 2014 Farm Credit Young
Leaders Program.
The Brookses were among 29 young ag
producers chosen from a multistate region
to participate in the program, which gave
them an opportunity to get an inside look
at how the Farm Credit System carries out
its mission to provide reliable credit to
agriculture and rural America.
The program began in New York City,
where the participants learned how
investors buy Farm Credit notes and
bonds, providing the funding that Farm
Credit lending cooperatives put to work
in rural communities. Nationwide, Farm
Credit provides more than $200 billion
in financing to farmers, ranchers, rural
homeowners, agribusinesses and other
eligible borrowers.
Land Bank members John Paul and Ashley Brooks, left, celebrate the completion of the 2014
Farm Credit Young Leaders Program with Jimmy Dodson, chairman of the Farm Credit Bank
of Texas Board of Directors, at Mount Vernon, Virginia.
Next, the group traveled to Washington,
D.C., and discussed policy issues with
USDA officials, Senate and House agriculture committee staff, and agriculture
industry leaders.
The five-day program ended with an
awards ceremony at George Washington’s
Mount Vernon plantation, where the first
president embraced innovation at his
farming and milling operations.
The Future of Ag
“As part of our mission to serve rural
America, Farm Credit has a strong commitment to helping young people in
agriculture be successful,” said Stan Ray,
president of the Tenth District Farm Credit
Council, which hosted the ninth annual
Young Leaders Program. “These impressive
participants were selected by their lending
cooperatives because they represent the
future of agriculture, and we want them to
know the role Farm Credit plays in their
industry and communities.”
New York City is the backdrop for this image of the 2014 Farm Credit young leaders.
John Paul and Ashley Brooks own a
custom spraying business in Van Vleet,
Miss. After high school, John Paul worked
with his father spreading fertilizer and
lime, then purchased a sprayer and started
his own business in 2004. Over the past
decade, the business has grown from
spraying 20,000 acres to 85,000 acres per
year. The Brookses have financed four new
sprayers through their association, upgrading to the latest technologies and thereby
avoiding costly breakdowns. They also
have a business breeding white Labrador
retrievers, which they sell across the United
States. They have two children.
The Tenth District Farm Credit
Council is the regional member of the
national Farm Credit Council, the trade
association representing the legislative
and regulatory interests of the nationwide
Farm Credit System.
MISSISSIPPI LAND BANK
Mississippi Land Bank Staff
Toll Free (866) 560-9664 • mslandbank.com
Part of the Farm Credit System
Administrative Office
P.O. Box 667
Senatobia, MS 38668
(662) 562-9671
Branches
Clarksdale Branch
Louisville Branch
P.O. Box 639
Clarksdale, MS 38614
(662) 627-4784
110 S. Columbus
Louisville, MS 39339
(662) 316-8892
[email protected]
[email protected]
Cleveland Branch
New Albany Branch
P.O. Box 1819
Cleveland, MS 38732
(662) 843-2421
115 Highway 15 South
New Albany, MS 38652
(662) 316-4285
[email protected]
[email protected]
Corinth Branch
Senatobia Branch
P.O. Box 1387
Corinth, MS 38835
(662) 286-0020
P.O. Box 667
Senatobia, MS 38668
(662) 562-9664
[email protected]
[email protected]
Indianola Branch
Starkville Branch
100 Court Street
Indianola, MS 38751
(662) 719-6518
P.O. Box 2470
Starkville, MS 39760
(662) 323-8150
[email protected]
[email protected]
Kosciusko Branch
Tupelo Branch
106 E. Washington
Kosciusko, MS 39090
(662) 567-7735
3517 Tom Watson Drive
Saltillo, MS 38866
(662) 842-1202
[email protected]
[email protected]
MISSISSIPPI LAND BANK
Gary L. Gaines, President and Chief Executive Officer
Craig B. Shideler, Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer
Ronnie Sellers, Vice President, Capital Markets
Matt Walden, Chief Operating Officer
David Loftin, Vice President, PCA Operations
Claire Pegram, Chief Financial Officer
Jessica Stanford, Vice President, Administration
Chelsi Smith, Credit Analyst
Tyler Mullins, Senior Appraiser
Jennifer Rhodes, Assistant Controller
Stephanie Wilkie, Loan Operations Manager/Compliance Officer
Melissa Dunn, Collateral Custodian
Matthew Raff, Vice President, Senatobia
Bobby Spinks, Vice President, Clarksdale
Rob Taylor, Vice President, Cleveland
Bill Cook, Vice President, Starkville
Ben Beavers, Vice President, Tupelo
Brett Marlar, Vice President, Corinth
Bart Harris, Vice President Branch Lending, Starkville
Hunter Taylor, Assistant Vice President, Senatobia
Scott Crockett, Assistant Vice President, Senatobia
Jeff Smith, Assistant Vice President, Clarksdale
Tyler Anderson, Assistant Vice President, Starkville
Matthew Kimbrough, Assistant Vice President, Tupelo
Will Foley, Assistant Vice President, Tupelo
Lee Tucker, Assistant Vice President, Corinth
Chris Williams, Loan Officer, Cleveland
Cindy Lubiani, Senior Loan Administrator, Senatobia
Sally McGarrity, Loan Administrator, Senatobia
Linda O’Neal, Senior Loan Administrator, Clarksdale
Stella Perez, Senior Loan Administrator, Cleveland
Sandra Russell, Senior Loan Administrator, Tupelo
Lauren Bell, Office Assistant, Tupelo
Misty Lewis, Senior Loan Administrator, Starkville
Vicki Collins, Office Assistant, Starkville Branch
Mary Pogue, Senior Loan Administrator, Corinth
Colleen Mozingo, Director of Loan Operations (Austin, Texas)