Leadership

Our mission is to deliver highly competitive funding, products, and services that empower our partners to support rural communities and American agriculture. Our leadership team ensures we adhere to that mission. Meet our Executive Committee and Board of Directors.

Executives

Tim Amerson

President and Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Amerson received a B.S. degree in business finance from the University of South Carolina and an MBA from Duke University. Prior to joining AgFirst in 1987, Mr. Amerson was employed by the National Bank of South Carolina. He serves on the AgFirst/FCBT Plan Sponsor Committee, AgFirst Plan Sponsor Committee, and the Farm Credit System Presidents Planning Committee (member of the Finance Committee and Business Practices Committee). Mr. Amerson is a member of the AgFirst Executive Committee.

Will Brown

Executive Vice President and Chief Credit & Lending Officer

Mr. Brown received a B.A. in monetary economics and finance from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. Mr. Brown’s banking career spans 40 years and he has been with AgFirst since 2017. Previously, he worked in a variety of leadership roles with Wachovia, Wells Fargo and First Citizens Bank. Mr. Brown currently serves on the Bank’s Executive Management Committee, he is chairman of the AgFirst Loan Committee and the Special Asset Management Committee, and he is co-chairman of the Data Governance Steering Committee. He also serves on the Bank’s Disclosure Committee and the Farm Credit System’s Risk Management Workgroup.

Jamie Bumgarner

Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer

Mr. Bumgarner joined AgFirst in 2004. He previously was employed by Safety-Kleen Inc. and received a bachelor’s degree in finance and business administration from the University of South Carolina. Mr. Bumgarner is vice chairman of the Executive Committee and is co-chair of the Project Prioritization and Governance Committee. In addition, he serves on the following committees: Asset/Liability Management, Data Governance Steering, Disclosure, and Executive Credit. He serves on the board of the Farm Credit Captive Insurance Company.

Stephen “Steve” Ciambrone

Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer

Stephen “Steve” Ciambrone joined AgFirst in June 2019 as vice president of application development before being named chief information officer later that year. He previously served as managing director of Citgroup’s Global Consumer Banking technology organization, where he oversaw software development services for the Bank’s worldwide fleet of 109,000 ATMs. In addition, Mr. Ciambrone led infrastructure development of Citi’s next-gen payment solutions, including digital wallet, global payment hub and Money² for Health, which was named the 2015 “Innovation of the Year” by American Banker. Prior to joining Citi, he served as the vice president of distribution solutions software at Nationwide. He also held leadership positions with Bank One/JPMorgan Chase, NationsBank/Bank of America and National Westminster Bank. Mr. Ciambrone serves on the AgFirst Executive committee. He earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science and anthropology from Stony Brook University and an MBA from Dowling College.

Stephen Gilbert

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Mr. Gilbert received a B.S. in business administration with a major in accounting and a minor in economics from Syracuse University. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the state of South Carolina and a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA). Prior to joining AgFirst in 2007, he was employed by Price Waterhouse LLP, Pirelli Cables and Systems North America, and Hanson Brick and Tile North America. Mr. Gilbert currently serves as chairman of the Disclosure Committee at AgFirst and co-chairman of the Data Governance Steering Committee. Mr. Gilbert also chairs the AgFirst/Farm Credit Bank of Texas Plan Fiduciary Committee. He is a member of the AgFirst Executive, Fraud Risk Management Steering and Asset/Liability Management committees, as well as the Internal Control Over Financial Reporting (ICFR) Steering Committee. Mr. Gilbert is also a member of the Farm Credit System Disclosure Committee.

Chad Toney

Executive Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer

Mr. Toney joined AgFirst in 2001 and previously served 10 years in the United States Air Force in telecommunications. He received a B.S. degree in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina and an PMBA from the Darla Moore School of Business. Mr. Toney is chairman of the Senior Leadership Committee, Information Security/Business Continuity Committee, and co-chairman of the Project Execution and Advisory Committee. He also serves as a member of the following: Internal Control Over Financial Reporting (ICFR) Steering Committee, Fraud Risk Management Steering Committee, Project Prioritization and Governance Committee and Data Governance Steering Committee, as well as the AgFirst Executive committees.

Frances Griggs

Executive Vice President and General Counsel

Mrs. Griggs received a bachelor’s degree from Clemson University and a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law. Prior to joining AgFirst in 2013, she was the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Howden North America. She has previous experience as in-house counsel for insurance companies and as a litigator in private practice. Mrs. Griggs serves on the AgFirst Executive committee. She also serves on the Asset/Liability Management, Disclosure, Executive Credit and Fraud Risk Management Steering committees.

Juan Silvera

Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer

Mr. Silvera joined AgFirst in 2020 overseeing marketing, communications and product strategy. He previously worked as chief marketing officer at Rabobank N.A. and as managing director of digital marketing for MUFG Union Bank. He also served as senior vice president of eMerchandising and interactive design at Bank of America and Wachovia (Wells Fargo), respectively. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing from California State University, Los Angeles, and an MBA from Pepperdine University. Mr. Silvera serves as a member of the Executive Committee and the Data Governance Steering Committee.

Darrick Paul

Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

Mr. Paul joined AgFirst in 2022. He previously worked as Chief People Officer for the Medical University of South Carolina Health in Charleston and spent a decade in Human Resources leadership at Denver-based Catholic Health Initiatives. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and a dual master’s degree in business administration and HR and healthcare administration from American Intercontinental University. Mr. Paul serves as a member of the AgFirst Executive Committee.

Dan LaFreniere

Executive Vice President and Chief Audit Executive

Mr. LaFreniere has a B.B.A. in accountancy from the University of Notre Dame. Before joining AgFirst in 2013, he worked for SCANA Corp. in Columbia, S.C.; The Coleman Co. Inc. in Lake City, S.C.; Baxter Healthcare Corp. in Deerfield, Ill.; and Deloitte and Touche in Chicago. He has prior experience at the plant, division and corporate levels including audit, accounting and corporate planning positions. He is an ex-officio member of the Bank’s Executive committee.

Board of Directors

Michael T. "Bo" Stone, Chairman of the Board

AGCAROLINA FARM CREDIT

Michael T. “Bo” Stone, 51, is from Rowland, N.C., where he owns and operates P&S Farms, Inc., and Bo Stone Farms, LLC. He produces corn, wheat and soybeans and also grows small produce for a roadside stand. His operations include a swine finishing unit under contract with Murphy Brown, a cow/calf herd and timber management. Mr. Stone is a director of Cape Fear Farm Credit, ACA; UNC Health Southeastern; and Dillon Christian School. He is a member of the North Carolina Farm Bureau Energy and Transportation Committee and serves on the board of the Farm Credit Council. Mr. Stone has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business management with a minor in animal science, as well as a master’s in agriculture from North Carolina State University. He is the board-appointed member and chair of both the AgFirst Plan Sponsor Committee and the AgFirst/FCBT Plan Sponsor Committee. Mr. Stone serves as Board Chair and chair of the Coordinating Committee. He is an ex officio member of all committees.

William T. Robinson Vice Chairman of the Board

AgSouth Farm Credit

William T. Robinson, 55, from St. Matthews, S.C., is owner/operator of Robinson Family Farm, which consists of row crops, hay, cattle and timber. Mr. Robinson is executive director for the SEFA group, an engineering, construction and transportation company. He retired from the department of Treasury and Corporate Financial Planning at Santee Cooper, South Carolina’s state-owned electric and water utility. He serves on the boards of the Orangeburg Area Cattleman’s Association and Tri-County Electric Cooperative. Mr. Robinson obtained a bachelor’s degree and a master’s in civil engineering from Clemson University and a master’s in business administration from Charleston Southern University. He currently serves on the board of AgSouth Farm Credit, ACA. Mr. Robinson serves as board Vice Chair and is on the board’s Compensation, Coordinating, and Governance committees.

Gary L. Baldosser

AgCredit, ACA

Gary L. Baldosser, 56, from Republic, Ohio, owns and operates Baldosser Farms, Inc., a cow/calf and row crop operation, and Garbec Farms. He is vice chairman for the AgCredit, ACA, board of directors and also serves on the board of Sunrise CoOp Clyde Condominium Association, a condominium grain storage association. In addition, he serves as a trustee for Tri-Grain, LLC, a family land holding entity; a member of Bloc-B, LLC, a family land holding entity; and a member of Garbec Farms, LLC, a family land holding entity. Mr. Baldosser received a bachelor’s degree in ag economics from The Ohio State University. He serves on the board’s Audit Committee.

Jack W. Bentley, Jr.

AgGeorgia Farm Credit

Jack W. Bentley, Jr., 65, from Tignall, Ga., owns and operates A&J Dairy, a dairy, pasture, crop and timberland operation. He is a director of AgGeorgia Farm Credit, ACA, and serves on the boards of the following agricultural and dairy trade and promotion organizations: USDA Farm Service Agency, Southeast United Dairy Industry Association, American Dairy Association, Lone Star Milk Producers and the Wilkes County Farm Bureau. Mr. Bentley has a bachelor’s degree in ag mechanics and business from Clemson University. He serves on the AgFirst Plan Sponsor Committee and the board’s Audit Committee.

Jenny R. Black

FARM CREDIT OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

Jenny R. Black, 48, from Lakeland, Fla., is a Certified Project Manager and owns and operates Jenny Black Consulting, LLC, an information technology consulting company. Ms. Black also serves as manager for the following citrus and agricultural operations: Ridge Investments, LLC; Black & Myers Properties; and BHB Holdings, LLC. She is a director of Farm Credit of Central Florida, ACA, and serves on the board of the Farm Credit Council. She also serves as a director for the Polk County Florida 4-H Foundation Board, the Volunteers in Service to the Elderly Advisory Board and All Saints Academy Independent School. Ms. Black has bachelor’s degrees in English and liberal studies and a master’s in business administration with a concentration in information technology, finance and marketing from the University of South Florida. Ms. Black serves on the board’s Coordinating Committee and as chair of the board’s Risk Policy Committee.

Sherry E. Bowden

Outside Director

Sherry E. Bowden, 61, outside director, is from Johns Island, S.C. She retired as CFO of State Street Corporation and is a certified public accountant and a certified personal property appraiser. Ms. Bowden is trained in business process improvement as a Six Sigma Green Belt. She received her bachelor’s degree in economics from the College of William and Mary and earned master’s degrees in international management in finance from the American Graduate School of International Management and business administration from Drury University in a dual degree program. Ms. Bowden is the board designated financial expert and serves on the board’s Coordinating Committee and is chair of the board’s Audit Committee.

William K. Jackson

Horizon Farm Credit

William K. Jackson, 67, from New Salem, Pa., is a partner in Jackson Farms, a dairy operation with other farming interests, including corn, soybeans and alfalfa. He is president of Jackson Farms 2, LLC, a small dairy processing facility that produces milk and makes ice cream sold in area stores and on-site. He is also president of Jackson Farms 3, LLC, and Jackson Farms Limited Partnership, which are involved in the production of natural gas. Mr. Jackson serves on the boards of Horizon Farm Credit, ACA; the Farm Credit Council; the Fay Penn Economic Development Council; the Fayette County Agricultural Improvement Association Board, where he is president; and the Penn State Fayette, Eberly Campus Advisory Board. He has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business management from Penn State University. Mr. Jackson serves on the board’s Compensation and Coordinating committees and as chair of the Governance Committee.

Dwain K. Lanier

Outside Director

Dwain K. Lanier, 65, outside director, resides in Raleigh, N.C. He is managing director of Pareto Consulting, LLC, specializing in consulting for performance improvement and change management, and is retired from the Tennessee Valley Authority, where he served as vice president of Operational and Regulatory Assurance. Previously, he was president and CEO of MEMCO Barge Line and served in various leadership positions with Progress Energy, GKN Automotive and Data General Corporation. Mr. Lanier founded Patriot State Bank, where he served as a director and chair of the governance committee. He serves on the board of the Southeast Raleigh YMCA. Mr. Lanier holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from North Carolina State University and a Six Sigma Certificate from the University of Texas – Austin. Mr. Lanier serves on the board’s Risk Policy Committee.

Fred R. Moore, Jr.

Horizon Farm Credit

Fred R. Moore, Jr., 70, from Eden, Md., is president of Fred R. Moore & Son, Inc., d/b/a Collins Wharf Sod, which also grows corn, soybeans and wheat. He is also partner of F&E Properties, LLC, a rental business, and a partner in F&E Moore Properties, LLC, a land holding partnership. Mr. Moore currently serves on the boards of Horizon Farm Credit, ACA; Wicomico Soil Conservation District; and Wicomico County Farm Bureau, and he is an active life member of the Allen Volunteer Fire Company. He has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture education from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Mr. Moore serves as chair of the board’s Compensation Committee and serves on the Governance and Coordinating committees.

Michael W. Patrick

First South Farm Credit

Michael W. Patrick, 57, is from Canton, Miss., and is a partner in Patrick Farms Joint Venture, a cotton, corn, soybean and timber operation. He serves on the First South Farm Credit, ACA, board of directors; as a commissioner for the Madison County Soil and Water Commission; and as a member of the Madison County USDA FSA County Committee. Mr. Patrick holds a bachelor's degree from Mississippi State and a master’s in business administration from the University of Mississippi. Mr. Patrick serves on the board’s Compensation and Governance committees.

John Whitworth "Whit" Player

ArborOne Farm Credit

John Whitworth “Whit” Player, 56, from Elliott, S.C., operates J. Whit Player Farms and Players Stoney Run Farms, consisting of cotton, corn, peanuts and sunflowers, along with 12 turkey grow-out houses. Mr. Player serves on the ArborOne Farm Credit Board. A graduate of Clemson University with a bachelor’s degree in ag tech and business, Mr. Player has been farming for 32 years. In addition to farming, he is a forestry technician with the South Carolina Forestry Commission and Vice President of the St. Charles Gin Company. Mr. Player serves on the board’s Risk Policy Committee.

David L. Richesin

River Valley AgCredit

David L. Richesin, 56, resides in Philadelphia, Tenn. He currently serves as chairman of the River Valley AgCredit Board of Directors. Mr. Richesin is owner and operator of Cherrybrook Farm, a row crop operation with crops including corn, soybeans, wheat and straw. He serves as a director on the AgFirst Farm Credit Council. Mr. Richesin also serves on the Tennessee Farm Bureau Board of Directors as director-at-large, as president of the Loudon County Farm Bureau Board of Directors and a board member for the Tennessee Farmers Mutual Insurance Company. Mr. Richesin received his bachelor’s degree in agricultural business from the University of Tennessee. Mr. Richesin serves on the board’s Audit Committee.

Alfred W. “Al” Stephens

Farm Credit of the Virginias

Alfred W. “Al” Stephens Jr., 55, owns and operates Stephens Dairy Farm in Wytheville, Va., which consists of a dairy and beef cow/calf operation and a farming operation, with crops including corn, alfalfa, wheat and grass hay. He is a member of the Farm Credit of the Virginias, ACA, board, and also serves as secretary-treasurer on the Wythe/Bland DHIA. In addition, he serves as a member of the VA Tech Dairy Science Advisory Board. Mr. Stephens received a bachelor’s degree in dairy science from Virginia Tech.

Ellis W. Taylor

AgCarolina Farm Credit

Ellis W. Taylor, 53, is from Roanoke Rapids, N.C. He is owner and operator of a row crop operation, Mush Island Farms, LLC, which consists of cotton, soybeans, wheat, corn and timber. He is also part owner of Roanoke Cotton Company, LLC, which operates cotton gins and a warehouse. Mr. Taylor is a director on the boards of AgCarolina Farm Credit, ACA; Northampton County Farm Bureau; and the Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding Corp. He has bachelor’s degrees in agronomy and in agricultural business management and a master’s in economics from North Carolina State University. Mr. Taylor serves on the board’s Audit Committee.