Capital Farm Credit Executive and Leadership Team

Jeff Norte, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Capital Farm Credit, directs the overarching strategic vision for the largest rural lending cooperative in Texas. Norte architects long-term growth initiatives that support farmers, ranchers, and rural homeowners through the nationwide Farm Credit System. By aligning organizational goals with the specific needs of the agricultural sector, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures consistent capital availability for diverse agribusinesses. Norte manages high-level relationships with the Board to maintain fiscal health and cooperative integrity. Through rigorous oversight of market expansion and risk management, Jeff Norte secures the competitive position of the organization within the broader financial landscape. This leadership role demands constant adaptation to shifting economic conditions in rural markets, ensuring that the cooperative remains a reliable partner for members across the state while driving sustainable financial performance and operational excellence.

Ben Novosad, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Capital Farm Credit, focuses on the institutional governance and member-centric service delivery models that define the cooperative. Novosad drives the implementation of credit programs tailored to the unique cycles of Texas agriculture, ensuring that rural borrowers receive competitive financing options. The President & Chief Executive Officer oversees the integration of technology into lending processes to improve efficiency for ranchers and rural homeowners. By fostering a culture of accountability and service, Ben Novosad strengthens the connection between the cooperative and the communities served. This executive role involves navigating complex regulatory environments to protect the interests of the membership base. Through strategic planning and the execution of member-focused initiatives, Novosad maintains the stability of the organization, ensuring that the cooperative continues to provide essential credit services that empower rural economic development and long-term agricultural success.

Sally Lawson, the Chief Financial Officer at Capital Farm Credit, manages the financial health and capital structure of the organization. Lawson directs all accounting, financial reporting, and treasury functions to ensure the cooperative maintains sufficient liquidity for rural lending activities. The Chief Financial Officer monitors market trends and interest rate fluctuations to mitigate financial risk for the institution. By providing data-driven insights to the executive team, Sally Lawson supports informed decision-making regarding investment strategies and credit portfolio management. This role involves maintaining transparency with stakeholders and ensuring compliance with all financial regulations governing the Farm Credit System. Through meticulous budget management and the optimization of capital allocation, Lawson strengthens the financial foundation of the cooperative. This leadership position ensures that the organization remains well-positioned to provide consistent, reliable credit services to farmers and ranchers throughout the region, ultimately supporting the long-term economic viability of the entire membership.

Mark Hiler, the Chief Operating Officer at Capital Farm Credit, oversees the internal business processes and operational workflows that support the delivery of credit services. Hiler directs the implementation of scalable systems designed to streamline loan processing and enhance the customer experience for rural borrowers. The Chief Operating Officer focuses on optimizing internal efficiencies to ensure that the cooperative operates with maximum productivity across all departments. By coordinating with regional teams, Mark Hiler ensures that operational standards remain consistent throughout the organization. This role involves identifying bottlenecks in service delivery and executing solutions that improve turnaround times for loan applications. Through the management of day-to-day operations, Hiler supports the broader mission of providing accessible financing to agribusinesses. This leadership function is critical for maintaining the agility of the cooperative, allowing the organization to respond effectively to the evolving demands of the agricultural market while upholding high standards of service quality.

Glenn Trant, the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at Capital Farm Credit, manages the strategic execution of operational initiatives across the cooperative. Trant directs the deployment of resources to support regional lending offices, ensuring that service delivery remains consistent and efficient. The Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer oversees the integration of new technologies and process improvements that enhance the speed and accuracy of credit underwriting. By monitoring operational performance metrics, Glenn Trant identifies areas for improvement and implements solutions that drive organizational excellence. This role involves coordinating cross-functional teams to ensure that all business units are aligned with the strategic objectives of the cooperative. Through the management of complex operational projects, Trant supports the expansion of services to rural homeowners and agribusinesses. This leadership function is essential for maintaining the operational scale required to serve a diverse membership base across the state.

Tim Knesek, the President, Market (Houston) at Capital Farm Credit, directs the lending and business development activities within the Houston market area. Knesek manages the local portfolio of agricultural and rural real estate loans, ensuring that the cooperative meets the specific financing needs of clients in this region. The President, Market (Houston) builds and maintains relationships with local agribusinesses and rural landowners to drive market share growth. By analyzing regional economic trends, Tim Knesek tailors credit solutions to support the unique requirements of the local agricultural economy. This role involves leading a team of loan officers and support staff to deliver high-quality service and maintain strong credit quality. Through active engagement with the local community, Knesek strengthens the presence of the cooperative in the region. This leadership function is essential for ensuring that the organization remains a trusted financial partner for rural and agricultural clients in the Houston area.

Bill Wischkaemper, the President, Credit Office at Capital Farm Credit, oversees the credit underwriting and risk assessment functions for the cooperative. Wischkaemper directs the development and implementation of credit policies that ensure the safety and soundness of the loan portfolio. The President, Credit Office manages the evaluation of complex loan applications, ensuring that all credit decisions align with the risk appetite of the organization. By providing guidance to lending teams, Bill Wischkaemper ensures consistency in credit analysis and loan structuring. This role involves monitoring the performance of the loan portfolio and identifying potential credit risks before they impact the financial health of the cooperative. Through the application of rigorous credit standards, Wischkaemper supports the mission of providing reliable financing to farmers and ranchers. This leadership position is critical for maintaining the integrity of the credit process and ensuring that the cooperative remains a stable and dependable source of capital for rural America.

Michael Jones, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Capital Farm Credit, leads the talent acquisition and organizational development strategies that sustain the cooperative. Jones directs initiatives focused on employee engagement, performance management, and professional development to ensure the workforce remains aligned with the mission of serving rural America. The Chief Human Resources Officer designs compensation and benefits programs that attract and retain top-tier talent within the financial services sector. By fostering an inclusive and high-performing culture, Michael Jones supports the overall productivity of the organization. This role involves managing internal communications and ensuring that all human resources policies comply with labor regulations. Through the development of leadership pipelines and training programs, Jones prepares the organization for future growth. This executive function is essential for maintaining the human capital necessary to deliver specialized credit services to farmers and ranchers, ensuring that the cooperative remains a preferred employer in the industry.

Patti Gonzales, the Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer at Capital Farm Credit, manages the strategic alignment of human capital with the long-term goals of the cooperative. Gonzales directs the implementation of comprehensive workforce planning and succession strategies to ensure organizational continuity. The Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer oversees the integration of corporate values into daily operations, promoting a culture of service and integrity. By analyzing workforce data, Patti Gonzales identifies opportunities to improve employee retention and operational effectiveness. This role involves collaborating with other C-suite leaders to ensure that staffing levels and skill sets meet the requirements of the evolving agricultural lending market. Through the execution of robust talent management programs, Gonzales strengthens the internal capabilities of the organization. This leadership position is vital for maintaining a motivated and skilled team capable of delivering the high-quality financial services that members expect from the cooperative.

Jennifer Thompson, the Chief Administrative Officer at Capital Farm Credit, oversees the administrative infrastructure and corporate governance functions that support the cooperative. Thompson directs the management of facilities, corporate records, and internal administrative policies to ensure smooth organizational operations. The Chief Administrative Officer coordinates with the Board and executive leadership to facilitate effective communication and decision-making processes. By streamlining administrative workflows, Jennifer Thompson reduces operational friction and allows other departments to focus on core lending activities. This role involves managing corporate compliance and ensuring that all administrative practices adhere to the standards of the Farm Credit System. Through the oversight of essential support services, Thompson maintains the organizational framework necessary for the cooperative to function effectively. This leadership position is critical for ensuring that the administrative foundation of the organization remains robust, supporting the delivery of financial services to farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.