I have had the good fortune to work with a number of very talented, dedicated business leaders, both directors and executives, in my 23 years in the national Farm Credit System. I believe that COBANK CEO Doug Sims, who is retiring after 37 years and featured in this issue of Financial Partner magazine, will be remembered most for his unselfish and customer-driven leadership at COBANK and across the Farm Credit System.

I have worked with Doug in many capacities over the years and learned a lot from him. Doug leads by example, but is quick to point out that his approach might not be the best for others to follow in their own markets.

Doug articulates his beliefs well, but he remains open minded, especially with his customers. When talking to Doug, it is easy to see that he is clearly interested in your opinion.

Doug has also consistently focused on preparing his organization for changes in the marketplace. He knows that a stagnant business will not succeed in the long run; but, at the same time, he understands the importance of sticking to certain core business values.

Doug always aims to identify what his customers will need from their banker in the next three to five years in order to sustain their business success. As well as any chief executive I know, Doug understands the need to stay ahead of his staff and board when thinking about the future.

In addition, cultivating relationships is very important to him. He understands that COBANK’s success depends on its relationships with customers and business partners. And, of course, business relationships are about people trusting and respecting each other. Undoubtedly, Doug’s extensive business travels in Europe, Asia and Mexico contributed to this successful approach — transactions in these regions depend (even more than in the United States) on the strength of such personal relationships. We in agriculture also value personal business relationships.

The legacy that Doug Sims will leave after a 37-year Farm Credit career is one that he can be very proud of. If I know Doug at all, I know that he did not work for accolades, but rather for the success of the customer-owners of COBANK and the other Farm Credit institutions he lead.

A side note

It is fitting that in the year Doug retires, the Farm Credit System has come together to launch a modernization effort to more fully serve the changing needs of its customer-owners. The System’s HORIZONS Project identifies major changes in U.S. agriculture and related industries. We are preparing to ask legislators and regulators to make incremental changes to laws and regulations that govern our business.

We hope the outcome of HORIZONS enables us to more fully serve the evolving needs of our customers and their rural communities.

For the HORIZONS Project, these changes are not about what’s good for the Farm Credit System. As our HORIZONS buttons say: “It’s About the Customer.” Doesn’t that sound like what Doug Sims’ legacy might be? It does to me.  

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