Staff Focuses on Expanding Service to Maine's Agricultural, Forest Products and Fishing Industries

In the center spread of the Summer 2005 issue of Financial Partner magazine, we are introducing our newest Farm Credit of Maine employees to you. As you read about them, you’ll see how they fit into our organization and our long-term plans for expanding our service. We added these folks to help us further enhance our competitiveness and our ability to serve the agricultural, forest products and fishing industries in Maine.

"As you read about them (new staff), you'll see how they fit into our organization and our long-term plans for expanding our service.”

I hope you sense our excitement for blending the experience of seasoned employees with the fresh ideas and energy of new staff. I understand staff changes, especially in loan officer positions, can be challenging for you, so I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your patience in this regard.

Let’s meet our newest hires …

Daryn Deveau: Some time ago, we recognized growth opportunities in our appraisal business and the need for additional depth in this area. That’s why Daryn is training with 32-year veteran and chief appraiser Neil Piper to become our third full-time appraiser.

Suzanne Fyfe: Sue joined the Auburn staff to provide backup reception duties and front office support. In addition, she is the primary administrative support for the two Auburn-based appraisers.

Ross Bartlett: Under the guidance of 26-year veteran Fred Morton, our Auburn-based corporate lending group has experienced significant growth. Ross was hired to bring more depth and credit analysis support in this part of our business.

Sarah Callnan: Under the guidance of 10-year veteran Rob Horne, our Auburn-based coastal and interior lending group is growing our small farm segment. Sarah will focus on our new business development efforts in southern, western and central Maine and also coordinate our trade show efforts.

Shannon Rackley: Like your businesses, we experience some unplanned employee turnover from time to time. Several months ago, loan officer Erik Olson relocated with his family to Northwest Farm Credit Services in Spokane, Wash. The opportunity enabled Erik to live closer to family members in the Northwest while remaining with Farm Credit. Shannon, our newest loan officer, is being trained to take over a large part of Erik’s portfolio.

Jennifer Johnston: Under the guidance of 24-year veteran Rita Lavoie, our credit analysts and loan assistants are enhancing their support of Auburn’s lending teams. Jennifer joined this group to provide loan accounting and credit analysis support so loan officers and assistants can maximize their time with customers.

Other changes We are also providing 12-year veteran Cheryl Mullen with more time to coordinate the work of loan assistants in Auburn, which now includes Arlene Chamberland, who moved from general administrative support to full-time loan assistant.

In our financial and treasury function, Bethany Cyr is working closely with Andy Grant (risk management) and Barry Gates (financial accounting) on new, more complex external financial reporting and risk management requirements that emerged from the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

Adjustments in our Presque Isle office, under the guidance of Pete Hallowell, include new loan officer Matt Tremblay, and an expanded business partnership with Ron Kofstead Insurance Agency, which now occupies the rental space we created in that office. This crop insurance partnership is expanding and working very well.

Your board of directors and I are proud of the accomplishments of our entire staff. We know it’s people that make the difference in our organization; and our staff is the best there is at serving family businesses like yours.  

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