Chief Executive Officer (Ceo)

Farm Credit Illinois (FCI) is an agricultural financial cooperative owned by 18,900 farmers, rural landowners, and agribusiness voting stockholder members in the southern 60 counties of Illinois. Dedicated to Helping Farm Families Succeed, FCI provides competitive and flexible financing, crop insurance expertise, and Rural 1st country life lending. FCI manages a $7 billion loan portfolio, sells 1.5 million acres of crop insurance coverage, and employs 300 staff in the Mahomet, IL headquarters and 14 regional offices. The Association will return $40 million of 2023 earnings as cash patronage to member-borrowers in 2024.

FCI is a part of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of borrower-owned lending institutions and specialized service organizations. The Farm Credit System provides loans, leases, and related services to farmers, ranchers, rural homeowners, aquatic producers, timber harvesters, agribusinesses, and agricultural and rural utility cooperatives and has more than $410 billion in assets.

After a fulfilling agricultural lending career spanning nearly 40 years, the FCI CEO, Aaron Johnson, has announced his plans to retire at the end of 2024. The FCI Board of Directors is seeking the next leader to take this vibrant association into the future.

POSITION PURPOSE

The CEO provides strategic leadership for the Association by working with the Board of Directors and the Leadership Team to establish short-term and long-term goals, strategies, plans, and policies. The CEO exhibits and implements visionary leadership, focuses on employee engagement and culture, and represents the Association at various meetings/events through the Association’s service area, the Seventh Farm Credit District, and the Farm Credit System to enhance the Association’s reputation and involvement.

• In consort with the Board of Directors, the CEO leads the development of strategic planning and annual business planning processes that assure Farm Credit Illinois will thrive today and into the future. This process involves providing visionary leadership in the development and execution of long-range strategic plans, foreseeing obstacles and opportunities, and generating breakthrough ideas.
• Oversees the expansion of the member base and favorable community image through the implementation of a business development and marketing program to provide lending and related services to those eligible to do business with the Association. Understands the members’ current requirements, anticipates their future needs, and fosters a member-focused environment.
• Oversees the establishment of internal business controls and audit functions to ensure satisfactory credit administration of all credit and related services, including the safeguarding of assets and information and appropriate legal protection.
• By understanding the meaning and implications of key financial indicators, manages overall financial performance and provides direction for and monitors risk standards, policies and procedures that are in concert with Board, District and System expectations to mitigate risk and ensure the delivery of sound credit at or above targeted levels.
• Directs the development and implementation of programs that support Association strategies.
• Continues to build on the strong cultural foundation and actively manage the Association’s culture and mission by fostering personal investment and excellence, nurturing commitment to a common vision and shared values, giving employees opportunity and latitude to grow and achieve, and inspiring others to address new challenges.
• P rovides strategic leadership to the Association through the planning of finance, accounting, technology, human resources, operations and marketplace engagement strategies and actions.
• Facilitates effective communication with the Board to assure robust knowledge of the Association’s operations.
• Serves as a key spokesperson, proactively representing Farm Credit Illinois at local, state and national events, as well as local and state legislative hearings.
• Serves as a liaison with other Farm Credit organizations’ leadership to foster collaborative working relationships. Cultivates an active network of relationships inside and outside the association, relating well to key colleagues and managing differences with diplomacy.
• Assures a high performing Board through Director communications, System knowledge, development and training.
• Develops and maintains an effective organizational structure. Attracts high caliber talent that represents the diversity of the marketplace. Develops teams and talent with diverse capabilities. Develops successors and talent pools to assure the continuity and effectiveness in the delivery of financial services.
• Integrates the business plan and other key operating results into the performance evaluation of senior management staff.
• Other duties as required.

QUALIFYING CHARACTERISTICS

• 10+ years of successful leadership experience, preferably in a senior leadership role.
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Agricultural Economics, or related field.
• Experience in agricultural lending preferred.
• Exceptional communication skills.
• Expert financial skill, understanding income statements, balance sheets, and other financial reports.
• Superior leadership, team building and talent development skills.
• Strong analysis, judgment and strategic thinking.
• Farm Credit System experience is preferred.

The Board of Directors for Farm Credit Illinois has retained FCCS to facilitate the selection process. Leading the process is Jay Lux, Vice President of Organizational Development at FCCS.

Farm Credit Illinois is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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