CoBank Executive and Leadership Team

November, 2026

Leadership Overview

CoBank has 10 executives leading key functions including financial strategy, banking operations, risk management, legal oversight, and organizational transformation.

Committed to the prosperity of rural America, CoBank delivers essential financial services to agribusinesses and infrastructure providers while maintaining a cooperative structure that prioritizes long-term community vitality and sustainable economic growth across the United States.

Leadership Roles at CoBank

  • Chief Financial Officer - Sean Burke
  • President, Farm Credit Leasing - Dan Shepard
  • Regional President - Marcus Wilhelm
  • President - Eric Itambo
  • Chief Transformation Officer - Brenda Frank
  • Chief Banking Officer - Brett Challenger
  • Chief Risk Officer - Timothy Curran
  • General Counsel & Chief Legal Officer - M. Lundberg
  • Managing Director - Gary Franke
  • Managing Director - Tamra Reynolds
  • Sean Burke - Chief Financial Officer

    Sean Burke, the Chief Financial Officer at CoBank, directs the financial health and capital management strategies of the institution. Burke oversees treasury operations, financial reporting, and long-term fiscal planning to ensure the bank maintains a robust balance sheet. By managing liquidity and funding sources, the Chief Financial Officer supports the bank's ability to provide consistent credit to agribusinesses and rural infrastructure providers. Sean Burke coordinates with the Board of Directors to establish financial policies that align with the cooperative's mission and risk appetite. This leadership role involves rigorous analysis of economic indicators to optimize capital allocation across all 50 states. Through the implementation of advanced financial modeling, the Chief Financial Officer enhances operational efficiency and profitability. Burke monitors market volatility, adjusting funding strategies to protect the bank's assets. Ultimately, the Chief Financial Officer secures the financial foundation necessary for the organization to continue serving the evolving needs of rural America.
    Sean Burke

    Dan Shepard - President, Farm Credit Leasing

    Dan Shepard, the President, Farm Credit Leasing at CoBank, directs the specialized equipment leasing division that serves the agricultural and rural infrastructure markets. Shepard oversees the development and execution of leasing programs that provide essential capital equipment to farmers, ranchers, and utility providers. By managing the lifecycle of lease assets, the President, Farm Credit Leasing ensures that clients have access to the technology and machinery required for efficient operations. Dan Shepard coordinates with internal sales teams to tailor financing solutions to the specific needs of rural businesses. This leadership role involves assessing equipment market values and managing residual risk to maintain a profitable and sustainable leasing portfolio. Through the expansion of leasing services, the President, Farm Credit Leasing supports the bank's broader mission of fostering rural economic development. Shepard monitors industry demand to refine product offerings and maintain a competitive edge. By providing flexible financing, the President, Farm Credit Leasing enables clients to modernize operations and improve productivity.

    Marcus Wilhelm - Regional President

    Marcus Wilhelm, the Regional President at CoBank, directs banking operations and client engagement within a designated geographic territory. Wilhelm oversees the delivery of financial services to local agribusinesses and rural infrastructure providers, ensuring that the bank's national capabilities are effectively applied at the regional level. By managing local relationships, the Regional President identifies unique market opportunities and addresses the specific financial challenges faced by rural borrowers. Marcus Wilhelm coordinates with national leadership to align regional activities with the bank's overarching strategic goals. This leadership role involves fostering partnerships with local Farm Credit associations to enhance service delivery and community impact. Through the oversight of regional lending portfolios, the Regional President drives growth and maintains high standards of credit quality. Wilhelm monitors regional economic conditions to provide timely insights and support to clients. By maintaining a strong presence in the field, the Regional President ensures that the bank remains a responsive and reliable partner for rural industries.

    Eric Itambo - President

    Eric Itambo, the President at CoBank, directs the overall strategic vision and operational execution of the bank's diverse financial services. Itambo oversees the alignment of business units with the cooperative's mission to support rural communities and industries. By managing executive leadership teams, the President ensures that the bank maintains its commitment to providing reliable credit and financial solutions to agribusinesses and infrastructure providers. Eric Itambo coordinates with the Board of Directors to set long-term objectives and navigate the complexities of the U.S. Farm Credit System. This leadership role involves representing the bank in national forums and fostering relationships with key industry stakeholders. Through the oversight of organizational performance, the President drives growth and ensures the bank remains a pillar of financial stability for rural America. Itambo monitors market trends to guide the institution's strategic direction. By prioritizing service excellence and cooperative values, the President leads the organization toward continued success and community impact.
    Eric Itambo

    Brenda Frank - Chief Transformation Officer

    Brenda Frank, the Chief Transformation Officer at CoBank, architects the organizational evolution required to meet modern digital and operational demands. Frank oversees the integration of new technologies and process improvements that streamline service delivery for agribusiness and rural utility clients. By driving cultural and structural change, the Chief Transformation Officer ensures the bank remains agile in a rapidly shifting financial landscape. Brenda Frank manages cross-functional teams to implement innovative solutions that enhance customer experience and internal productivity. This leadership role involves aligning business processes with the bank's long-term strategic goals for digital modernization. Through the execution of large-scale transformation projects, the Chief Transformation Officer optimizes workflows and reduces operational friction. Frank collaborates with other C-suite leaders to foster a culture of continuous improvement and adaptability. By prioritizing efficiency and technological advancement, the Chief Transformation Officer strengthens the bank's ability to support the vitality of rural communities across the United States.
    Brenda Frank

    Brett Challenger - Chief Banking Officer

    Brett Challenger, the Chief Banking Officer at CoBank, directs the core lending and relationship management functions across the national footprint. Challenger oversees the delivery of loans, leases, and financial services to agribusinesses and rural infrastructure providers. By managing the bank's primary customer-facing divisions, the Chief Banking Officer ensures that credit solutions meet the diverse needs of farmers, ranchers, and rural cooperatives. Brett Challenger coordinates with regional teams to expand market reach and deepen client engagement. This leadership role involves setting the strategic direction for the bank's commercial banking activities and maintaining high standards of service. Through the oversight of lending operations, the Chief Banking Officer drives revenue growth and portfolio diversification. Challenger monitors industry trends to anticipate the financial requirements of rural sectors. By fostering strong relationships with Farm Credit associations, the Chief Banking Officer reinforces the bank's role as a vital partner in the success of rural industries throughout the country.
    Brett Challenger

    Timothy Curran - Chief Risk Officer

    Timothy Curran, the Chief Risk Officer at CoBank, directs the enterprise-wide risk management framework to protect the institution's assets and reputation. Curran oversees credit risk, market risk, and operational risk assessments, ensuring that all lending activities align with the bank's safety and soundness standards. By implementing robust monitoring systems, the Chief Risk Officer identifies potential threats to the portfolio and develops mitigation strategies. Timothy Curran collaborates with the Board of Directors to establish risk appetite policies that support sustainable growth. This leadership role involves analyzing complex economic data to evaluate the impact of market fluctuations on the bank's diverse client base. Through the oversight of compliance and internal controls, the Chief Risk Officer maintains the integrity of the bank's financial operations. Curran ensures that risk management practices remain proactive and responsive to the evolving challenges of the agricultural and rural infrastructure sectors. The Chief Risk Officer safeguards the cooperative's long-term stability.
    Timothy Curran
    M. Lundberg, the General Counsel & Chief Legal Officer at CoBank, directs the legal and regulatory affairs of the institution. Lundberg oversees all legal matters, including corporate governance, contract negotiations, and compliance with federal banking regulations. By providing strategic legal counsel to the Board of Directors and executive leadership, the General Counsel & Chief Legal Officer ensures that all business activities adhere to the highest standards of legal and ethical conduct. M. Lundberg manages the legal department to protect the bank's interests and mitigate potential liabilities. This leadership role involves navigating the complex regulatory environment of the U.S. Farm Credit System to support the bank's operational goals. Through the oversight of legal risks, the General Counsel & Chief Legal Officer facilitates the smooth execution of financial transactions and strategic initiatives. Lundberg monitors legislative developments to anticipate changes that may impact the bank's operations. By maintaining rigorous legal oversight, the General Counsel & Chief Legal Officer supports the bank's mission of serving rural communities.
    M. Lundberg

    Gary Franke - Managing Director

    Gary Franke, the Managing Director at CoBank, directs specialized financial initiatives focused on the agribusiness sector. Franke oversees complex credit portfolios, ensuring that rural cooperatives receive the capital necessary for operational expansion and infrastructure development. By analyzing market trends across the United States, the Managing Director identifies emerging opportunities for lending and export financing. This leadership role involves close collaboration with internal credit committees to maintain rigorous underwriting standards while supporting the unique needs of agricultural borrowers. Gary Franke manages high-value client relationships, providing strategic guidance on capital structure and liquidity management. Through the application of deep industry expertise, the Managing Director drives the bank's mission to support rural economic stability. Franke consistently monitors portfolio performance to mitigate potential credit risks, ensuring that all financial products align with the cooperative's long-term objectives for growth and service excellence.

    Tamra Reynolds - Managing Director

    Tamra Reynolds, the Managing Director at CoBank, leads strategic initiatives within the rural communications and power infrastructure divisions. Reynolds manages large-scale financing projects that enable rural utility providers to modernize technology and expand service reach. By coordinating with regional stakeholders, the Managing Director ensures that capital deployment supports the critical infrastructure needs of communities nationwide. Tamra Reynolds evaluates complex financial instruments, tailoring loan and lease solutions to the specific operational requirements of power and water cooperatives. This leadership role requires constant assessment of regulatory environments and market shifts to maintain competitive service offerings. Through the oversight of diverse project portfolios, the Managing Director facilitates the growth of essential rural services. Reynolds maintains strong partnerships with industry leaders, fostering collaborative efforts that enhance the bank's market position. The Managing Director remains focused on delivering sustainable financial value while upholding the cooperative principles that define the organization's commitment to rural development.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding CoBank Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads CoBank?
    CoBank is led by Sean Burke (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Dan Shepard (President, Farm Credit Leasing) and Marcus Wilhelm (Regional President).
    Who is part of CoBank’s executive team?
    The executive team of CoBank includes leaders such as Sean Burke (Chief Financial Officer), Dan Shepard (President, Farm Credit Leasing), Marcus Wilhelm (Regional President) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does CoBank have?
    CoBank has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in CoBank’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of CoBank includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, President, Farm Credit Leasing, Regional President, President, Chief Transformation Officer.