Winter 2015 - Mississippi Land Bank

Part of the Farm Credit System
Mississippi Land Bank
mslandbank.com
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Abbott Myers,
Chairman
Alan Blaine,
Vice Chairman
Morgan Gulledge
Jan Hill
Lawson McClellan
Keith Morton
Calvin Ozier
James G. Robison
Travis Satterfield
Holiday
Schedule
Mississippi Land Bank offices will
be closed on the following days:
Serving Those Who Serve the Nation
Farm Credit has been serving veterans for as long as we’ve
been around.
Nearly a century ago, the United States entered World War I, sending more than 2 million troops to Europe over 19 months. Many of
those soldiers and sailors were young farm people, and when they
came home, some turned to their local Farm Credit cooperatives,
established during the war, for financing to purchase land.
Since then, millions more young people from rural areas have fought to protect our nation’s
freedom. Even today, over 40 percent of the men and women who serve in the U.S. military
come from rural communities, although just 16 percent of the American population lives in
rural areas.
Coming home and building a new career can be difficult, and rural America is one place where
they can start. As a cooperative lending organization that is owned by farmers and ranchers,
Farm Credit has always worked hard to meet the financing needs of returning veterans.
Veterans Day was just a few weeks ago, but appreciating veterans’ service — and providing
service to them — is not limited to one day a year at Mississippi Land Bank. If you, or someone you know, is a veteran or current member of the U.S. military, please let us know. We’ll be
happy to offer guidance in making a home or a career in rural America.
Thank you to all of our vets — and best wishes to our customers and our friends for a very
happy holiday season.
Sincerely,
Thanksgiving
Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26 and 27
Christmas
Thursday and Friday, Dec. 24 and 25
For payments to be credited
for 2015, they will need to be
received in the office by noon
on Thursday, Dec. 31.
Gary L. Gaines
Chief Executive Officer
A SSOCI ATION SUPPLE M E NT – W INTE R 2015
Couple Brings
the Arts to Rural
Schoolchildren
S
itting down and talking with
Mississippi Land Bank customers
Howard and Jamie Thompson, one
can’t help but feel the enthusiasm and love
they share not only for the arts but for the
children of rural North Mississippi.
As career educators, the now-retired
Tate County couple long recognized that
many local schoolchildren needed more
exposure to the arts, and created the
Independence Art Conservatory to fill
that need.
“The Independence Arts Conservatory
offers what schools aren’t funded for,” says
Jamie. “It is so important that children in
rural areas are given an opportunity to
shine, and just because they don’t live in
a big city doesn’t mean they can’t experience the arts.”
Independence Arts Conservatory students, with founders Howard and Jamie Thompson, center
Later, the Thompsons added a “Saturday
Scene” program designed to include theater and visual arts classes. The program
included half-day performing arts classes
on the first and third Saturdays of each
month for students in grades 3 through 12,
or ages 8 through 17.
A Conservatory Is Born
As interest in the conservatory grew,
the couple added choral music to the
Saturday Scene program in 2014. Four new
choirs were formed — the All American
Children’s Choir, the All American Girls’
Choir, the All American Boys’ Choir and
the All American Choir, which is a combination of all the choirs.
After much thought and prayer, the project
took flight in 2009. The plan was to offer
opportunities to students in Tate, Desoto,
Marshall and Panola counties.
Students from more than 30 schools —
both public and private — in the fourcounty area have participated in programs
since the conservatory began.
The Thompsons launched their first program in 2010, when they held a summer
camp during which the children studied
their first play, “101 Dalmations,” and then
performed it for the general public.
Children Show Off Their Art
The mission of the conservatory is “to provide a place for boys, girls, young men and
young women to refine their God-given
gifts and talents in the performing, literary,
visual and culinary arts.”
M I S SS II SS SS II PP PPI I LLAANNDD BBAANNKK
In addition to “101 Dalmations,” some of
the plays, musicals, concerts and celebrations that have been presented at the conservatory include “Hamlet for Kids,” “The
Ever After,” “Honk,” “The Best Christmas
Pageant Ever,” “A Midsummer Night’s
Dream for Kids,” a Christmas choral
music concert, July 4 patriotic programs
and jamborees.
The visual arts students have presented
their work at various art shows and
exhibits. Many of these are held simultaneously with performing arts activities.
This allows the students from both groups
to work together.
Many times, the students in the visual
arts department create the stage scenery.
Because they don’t use a stage curtain as
do many theaters, the audience actually
gets to see the students change out the
scenes and observe the hard work that’s
involved in a theater production.
Behind the Scenes
The Thompsons, who finance rural property with Mississippi Land Bank, are not
alone in their dedication to the arts and
to children — there are many others who
contribute behind the scenes to the success
Gerald Thomas
Culture in the Country
Celebrate the Past,
Embrace the Future
Excitement is building at Mississippi
Land Bank in anticipation of the
Farm Credit System’s 100th anniversary in 2016.
We are eager to celebrate the day
when President Woodrow Wilson
signed the Farm Credit Act on
July 17, 1916, creating the Farm
Credit System. On that day, farmers and ranchers across the country
gained a new source of financing
that would support agriculture in
good times and bad.
of the conservatory. All teachers and
administrators are volunteers and do not
receive any salary or benefits for their
time. They all have undergraduate or
even graduate degrees in the areas where
they serve.
“We are always seeking support and looking for ways to raise funds for the programs. While we do collect a small admission fee when the programs are presented
to the public, it’s not enough to cover all
the costs.”
Other dedicated volunteers help prepare
meals and snacks for the students, mow
the lawn, trim the shrubs, paint and clean.
Jamie says it takes the dedication of many
to make the program a success.
Tuition for the students is minimal, but
even at that, notes Jamie, roughly 75 percent cannot afford to pay it.
“They all share a desire to help the conservatory students enjoy a quality of life
which includes the arts,” says Jamie.
Meeting Funding Challenges
The Thompsons discovered their current
facility in 2009 in a former church that had
sat vacant for years. There was and still is
a lot of work to be done to get it in good
shape, including a new roof and some
exterior repairs. And then there’s always
the ordinary cost of doing business, such
as utilities, insurance and standard upkeep.
“It takes roughly $30,000 to $40,000 annually to operate the place,” says Howard.
“If they truly have a love of the arts and
have a God-given talent, however, they are
not turned away,” says Jamie.
The couple would love to expand the
program to include a dinner theater, and
hopes to someday have the funds to add
this to the conservatory’s repertoire.
For more information about the programs
and upcoming performances offered by the
Independence Arts Conservatory, check out
their website at www.independencearts.org.
Donations can be sent to the Independence
Arts Conservatory and Conference Center,
P.O. Box 122, Independence, Mississippi
38638.
The System’s longevity has much to
do with how Farm Credit was structured by Congress nearly a century
ago. Congressional lawmakers chose
a cooperative structure, wherein
members would have a say in how
their lending institution is run and
would share in its benefits.
Mississippi Land Bank is proud to
be a part of this System and to have
been able to help agricultural producers, decade after decade.
Be on the lookout for future
communications regarding our
centennial plans.
We hope you will help us celebrate
the Farm Credit centennial in 2016,
and we look forward to working
with you and future generations for
another 100 years!
MMI ISSSSI ISSSSI I PP PP II LL AA N
ND
D BB A N K
2015 mississippi Land Bank
- THE ONLY INVESTMENT MORE VALUABLE THAN LAND
University of Mississippi
SHELBY BICKES
Shelby Bickes of Saltillo graduated from Saltillo High School in 2015, where she participated in many
extracurricular activities such as the student council and Anchor Club. She was on the soccer and tennis
teams, and during her senior year was vice president of the student body and treasurer of the student
council. Shelby also taught swimming at a local aquatic center, and in 2014 devoted 1,000 community
service hours to Camp Lake Stephens. Shelby graduated with special distinction, and is a Mississippi
Scholars Initiative participant. She attends the University of Mississippi.
Coahoma Community College
CANTRELL DAVIS
Cantrell Davis is a native of Quitman County, and resides in Sledge with his parents, Gregory and
Tinnie Davis. He is member of Mount Zion M.B. Church of Lambert. Cantrell graduated seventh
in his class from Madison Palmer High School, where he was a member of the marching band
and the track and powerlifting teams. He is an honor student at Coahoma Community College,
pursuing an associate of arts degree in accounting. He is president of the Accounting Society and
a member of the band.
Rust College
LE’KESHA DEBERRY
Le’Kesha DeBerry is a senior at Rust College, where her focus is English literature. She is a resident of
Holly Springs, and is the mother of a beautiful daughter. She is striving to develop a youth program in
Holly Springs that focuses on English literacy to help our youth explore the art of writing. She is happy to
receive the Mississippi Land Bank scholarship, as it will help her on her way to fulfilling her career dreams.
Mississippi State University
JO BETH DODDS
Jo Beth Dodds of Starkville is a graduate of Starkville Christian School and is an incoming freshman at
Mississippi State University. Her plans are to major in food science and nutrition. She is proud to have
been selected for this scholarship and is confident that she will live up to the honor.
Northwest MS Community College
LUCY FYFE
Lucy Fyfe of Oxford is a 2015 graduate of Oxford High School, where she was a member of Young
Life, varsity choir, art club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She was part of the backstage crew
in several theater productions, and participated in show horse dressage and jumping at Cedar Wind
Farms. She helped in several community service projects and was active in her church. A student at
Northwest Mississippi Community College, Lucy intends to pursue a doctorate in veterinary medicine,
and plans to work locally with large farm animals such as horses and cows.
For more information on scholarships, including how to apply, visit our website at MSLandBank.com, or call your local branch office.
MISSISSIPPI LAND BANK
Scholarship Recipients
IS IN THE EDUCATION OF OUR FUTURE LEADERS -
Mississippi University for Women
KAREN HUTSON
Karen Hutson lives in Guntown and is a grandmother of two. In 2011, she graduated with honors
from Itawamba Community College, where she earned an associate of applied science degree in
both microcomputer technology and office systems technology. She was also a member of the Phi
Theta Kappa. She currently is pursuing a bachelor of technology degree in professional studies with
a concentration in general business at the Mississippi University for Women. She feels blessed and
honored to receive the Mississippi Land Bank scholarship for this year.
East Central Community College
ALEXANDRIA LEE
Alexandria Lee is the daughter of Richard and Sandra Lee of Louisville. She has two siblings, a sister and
a brother. A graduate of Louisville High School, Alexandria is delighted and grateful to be a scholarship
recipient. Her plan after graduation from East Central Community College is to attend Mississippi State
University and earn a degree in veterinary medicine.
Northeast MS Community College
ZACKERY MARCINEK
Zackery Marcinek is from Corinth and has a 1-year-old daughter, Ava Claire. After Zackery graduates from Northeast Mississippi Community College, he plans to become a certified financial planner.
Zackery is honored to receive the Mississippi Land Bank scholarship — and he intends to give back to
all who have helped him along life’s highway. Zackery knows that dreams can be accomplished with
hard work and persistence, and often uses this quote from Eleanor Roosevelt: “The future belongs to
those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
Itawamba Community College
JACK ROGERS
Jack Rogers of Tupelo is a graduate of Tupelo High School and an incoming freshman at Itawamba
Community College. Jack’s parents are Jeff and Jayna Rogers of Tupelo. He is very pleased to have
received the 2015-16 Mississippi Land Bank scholarship. Jack is an ACT Scholarship recipient and
is a member of the cross-country team. He currently works part time at Juva, a juice and smoothie
bar in Tupelo.
Delta State University
SHUJUAN SMITH
Shujuan Smith of Sallis is the son of Peggy Williams and stepson of James Williams. He is a senior at
Delta State University, majoring in business management. This year at Delta State he achieved the Student
Excellence Award. Shujuan is proud to have been chosen for the Mississippi Land Bank scholarship,
and has a clear focus on his future plans. After he obtains his bachelor’s degree, he plans to enroll in the
master’s degree program at Delta State University majoring in business administration with a human
resource emphasis.
Mississippi Valley State University
K’YANA WILLIAMS
K’yana Monique Williams is a junior at Mississippi Valley State University, where she is a member of the
National Honor Society, majoring in accounting. K’yana attended Eastside High School in Cleveland, where
she was in the choir and was elected Miss Homecoming. She is the daughter of Marcus L. and Stacie M.
Williams. K’yana has always had a great affinity and aptitude for numbers and money matters, so it was
natural for her to choose a career in accounting.
MISSISSIPPI LAND BANK
IN THE NEWS:
UPDATE ON LAND BANK PERSONNEL
Promotions
In Memoriam
Mississippi Land Bank is proud to announce the following
promotions that were effective July 1:
Mississippi Land Bank would like to extend our condolences for
the following:
Bill Cook was promoted to vice president of business
development and public relations. Bill will remain working
at the Starkville branch office location.
Gracie Gaines, mother of Chief Executive Officer Gary Gaines,
passed away on May 31.
Bart Harris was promoted to vice president and branch
manager of the Starkville branch office.
Retired employee Rex Parker passed away on Aug. 7.
Honorable Mentions
A helicopter was dedicated at Camp Shelby in honor
of state Rep. Mac Huddleston, father of Meghan Foley.
Meghan’s husband, Will Foley, is assistant vice president in
the Tupelo branch.
Caleb Ratcliffe, son of Cindy Lubiani, graduated from Bartlett
High School and plans to attend Southwest Tennessee
Community College in the fall. Cindy is senior loan
administrator in the Senatobia branch.
Cody Mitchell, grandson of Linda O’Neal, finished with the
highest average for the fourth-grade class at Delta Academy
in Marks. Linda is senior loan administrator in the
Clarksdale branch.
Michael Neal, nephew of Stella Perez, senior loan
administrator in the Cleveland branch office, received
several awards at Bayou Academy at the completion of
his junior year — including Daughters of the American
Revolution outstanding work in American history;
American history award; Mu Alpha Theta National
Honor Society; and Bausch & Lomb company science
award. Michael also placed first at the district and state
science fairs.
Jackson Spinks, son of Michelle and Bobby Spinks, graduated
valedictorian of the sixth-grade class at Presbyterian Day
School in Clarksdale. Bobby is vice president and branch
manager in the Clarksdale branch.
Alberta Johnston, retired employee, passed away on Aug. 9.
Noland Edward Biglane, grandfather of assistant vice president
Hunter Taylor, passed away in April.
Summer Interns
Mississippi Land Bank was proud to host the following two
summer interns this year, and wishes them the best in the future.
Ashlee Rogers joined the administrative staff and
worked under Chelsi Smith, credit analyst/capital
markets, as a credit analyst intern. Ashlee has
an associate’s degree in business administration
from Northwest Mississippi Community
College and is currently pursuing a BBA from
Mississippi State University. At Northwest, she
was a member of the women’s soccer team, and received All-State
and Academic All-State awards from the National Junior College
Athletic Association. Ashlee is vice president of communications
for Omicron Delta Kappa, and is a member of Gamma Beta Phi,
Phi Theta Kappa, the Society for Human Resource Management
and the International Business Society.
Jay Slater interned at the Starkville branch. He
grew up on a small cattle farm and enjoyed being
part of a small community where he was able
to play sports and show livestock. Jay attended
Jones County Community College, majoring
in agribusiness. After graduating with honors,
he transferred to Mississippi State University to
pursue a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in agribusiness
production and a minor in animal and dairy science. Jay is
currently a senior and plans to graduate in May 2016.
Both interns had the opportunity to travel to Austin, Texas, to
participate in the Introduction to Farm Credit class hosted by the
Farm Credit Bank of Texas, which expanded their knowledge of
the Farm Credit System.
The interns also attended a Mississippi Land Bank board meeting
in June, and gave a presentation to senior management at the end
of their internship.
MISSISSIPPI LAND BANK
BORROWER BRAGGIN’ BOARD
Mississippi Land Bank congratulates borrowers and friends on awards and accomplishments
announced in North Mississippi area newspapers. Some of those found in recent newspapers
include the following:
• Buddy Allen was named Outstanding Rice
Producer for 2015 as reported in the Delta
Council Review.
• Matthew Brignac was featured in an article in
Catfish Alley in July.
• Melissa Stanford Hardy received her bachelor’s
degree in nursing from the University of
Mississippi Medical Center in May.
• Callie Windham, daughter of Deana French,
received a Farm Bureau Scholarship
Award and was included in an article in
the Winston County Journal.
• Julie White was featured in an article
in the Delta Farm Press in April. She
was named the first-ever Mississippi
participant in the American Farm Bureau
Federation’s prestigious two-year Partners
in Agricultural Leadership class.
The Flow of Farm Credit Funds
Matt Walden, Chief Operating Officer, Participates in Farm Credit Leadership Program
The funds that Mississippi Land Bank lends to farmers follow a
unique path. This past summer, Matt Walden, chief operating
officer, met some of the bond dealers, financial experts and
policymakers responsible for the smooth and continuous flow
of funds from Wall Street to your farm, when he participated
in the Farm Credit Association Leadership Program.
Hosted by the Farm Credit Bank of Texas, the annual program
takes Farm Credit employees to financial and policy organizations
in the New York City area and Washington, D.C., for four days,
including the Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation
(Funding Corp.) and the Farm Credit Administration (FCA).
“Seeing firsthand where and how money is secured on Wall Street
and ends up on the many farms across the nation was one of the
highlights of the trip,” said Walden. He also enjoyed taking part
in the legislative/lobbying process with the men and women who
represent Mississippi.
“Visiting the Funding Corp. and the FCA revealed the many different viewpoints and responsibilities at the various levels within
the Farm Credit System,” said Walden. “[We also saw] the effort
involved in making them all work together to bring the most
competitive products to the market, as well as maintaining a safe
and sound Farm Credit System.”
From left to right are Matt Walden, chief operating officer, Mississippi
Land Bank; U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper; and Andrew Ritter, loan officer,
Southern AgCredit.
While in Washington, Walden had the opportunity to meet
with several representatives of Mississippi, including U.S. Reps.
Trent Kelly and Gregg Harper and Sens. Thad Cochran and
Roger Wicker.
MISSISSIPPI LAND BANK
Mississippi Land Bank Staff
Toll Free (866) 560-9664 • mslandbank.com
Part of the Farm Credit System
Administrative Office
5509 Hwy. 51 N.
Senatobia, MS 38668
(662) 562-9671
Clarksdale
New Albany
2653 North State St.
Clarksdale, MS 38614
(662) 627-4784
206 State Hwy. 15
New Albany, MS 38652
(662) 316-4285
[email protected]
[email protected]
Cleveland
Senatobia
3598A Hwy. 61 N.
Cleveland, MS 38732
(662) 843-2421
5509 Hwy. 51 N.
Senatobia, MS 38668
(662) 562-9664
[email protected]
[email protected]
Corinth
Starkville
2101 Hwy. 72 E.
Corinth, MS 38834
(662) 286-0020
P.O. Box 2470
Starkville, MS 39760
(662) 323-8150
[email protected]
[email protected]
Indianola
Tupelo
100 Court Avenue
Indianola, MS 38751
(662) 719-6518
3517 Tom Watson Drive
Saltillo, MS 38866
(662) 842-1202
[email protected]
[email protected]
Louisville
110 S. Columbus Ave.
Louisville, MS 39339
(662) 316-8892
[email protected]
MISSISSIPPI LAND BANK
Gary L. Gaines, President and CEO
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
Bill Cook, Vice President of Business Development and Public Relations
Matthew Raff, Vice President, Senatobia Branch
Bobby Spinks, Vice President, Clarksdale Branch
Rob Taylor, Vice President, Cleveland Branch
Bart Harris, Vice President, Starkville Branch
Ben Beavers, Vice President, Tupelo Branch
Brett Marlar, Vice President, Corinth Branch
Hunter Taylor, Assistant Vice President, Senatobia Branch
Scott Crockett, Assistant Vice President, Senatobia Branch
Jeff Smith, Assistant Vice President, Clarksdale Branch
Tyler Anderson, Assistant Vice President, Starkville Branch
Matthew Kimbrough, Assistant Vice President, Tupelo Branch
Will Foley, Assistant Vice President, Tupelo Branch
Lee Tucker, Assistant Vice President, Corinth Branch
Chris Williams, Loan Officer, Cleveland Branch
Cindy Lubiani, Senior Loan Administrator, Senatobia Branch
Sally McGarrity, Loan Administrator, Senatobia Branch
Linda O’Neal, Senior Loan Administrator, Clarksdale Branch
Stella Perez, Senior Loan Administrator, Cleveland Branch
Sandra Russell, Senior Loan Administrator, Tupelo Branch
Lauren Bell, Loan Administrator Associate, Tupelo Branch
Misty Lewis, Senior Loan Administrator, Starkville Branch
Vicki Collins, Loan Administrator, Starkville Branch
Mary Pogue, Senior Loan Administrator, Corinth Branch
Colleen Eljuri, Director of Loan Operations (Austin)