Nobody delivers equipment financing like AgDirect®

Aaron McWhirter has worked for AgDirect since November of 2013. Previously, Aaron worked on his family’s farm in Hastings, Nebraska. He also served as foreman for a landscaping company. Aaron has a degree in business from the University of Nebraska- Omaha. He and his wife, Sarah, have a daughter and enjoy camping, kayaking, snowboarding and Huskers sports.

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Allen Freudenburg joined AgDirect in May 2012. He grew up on his family’s corn, soybean and cow-calf operation in northeast Nebraska and graduated from Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska. He and his wife, Beth, have three children. In his free time, Allen enjoys getting back to the family farm and spending time with friends and family.

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Amanda Lehan joined the AgDirect team in August 2022. She grew up in Blair, Nebraska where her family has a diversified crop-livestock farm operation and graduated from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln with a degree in animal science. Before coming to AgDirect, Amanda was responsible for sales and recruiting at a poultry processing plant. She enjoys working with FFA and 4H youth, travel, the outdoors and tackling home remodeling projects with her husband, Tyler.

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Andrea Kaminski started working for AgDirect in September 2020. Andrea grew up on a dairy and row crop farm in Loup City, Nebraska and studied business at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Nebraska. Before working for AgDirect, she spent 15 years working in a sales representative position working with ag equipment dealers. Andrea lives in Lincoln and enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling and cheering for the Huskers.

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Cheryl Smisek joined AgDirect in July 2014.  A lifelong Nebraskan, she grew up in Cedar Creek, graduated from Bellevue University with a degree in business administration and lives in Omaha with her husband, Joe. Cheryl volunteers with the Sarpy County Fair and enjoys a variety of outdoor activities and spending time with family and friends.

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Chris Richardson started working for AgDirect in November 2013. He grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in business and a minor in psychology. Prior to joining  AgDirect, Chris worked in banking for five years. He enjoys traveling, riding his bike, and spending his summers at the lake with family and friends.

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Derek Sybert has been with AgDirect since June 2018. Derek was raised on this family’s farm in Missouri and graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with a degree in business marketing. He enjoys sports, especially golf, fishing, grilling, and spending time with family and friends. Derek and his wife, Melissa, have two children who keep them busy.

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Greg Albin joined AgDirect in February 2020. Greg was born and raised in Norfolk, Nebraska and received a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. After working as a design engineer for a manufacturing company in Lincoln, Nebraska, he moved to London, England where he obtained a master’s degree in international business. Prior to coming to AgDirect, Greg worked for an agricultural equipment manufacturer for four years focused on international sales. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with friends and family, woodworking, playing sports, going to the gym, refereeing youth soccer and visiting friends around the globe.

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Holly Gall has worked for AgDirect since September 2020. Holly grew up in Creston, Nebraska and graduated with a degree in criminology and criminal justice from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Previously, she worked for five-plus years in a medical staffing sales position. In her free time, Holly enjoys spending time with her husband, Jeremy, and their daughter, Larkin, and family and friends. She also enjoys the outdoors, baking and traveling.

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Jammie Vinton joined AgDirect in September 2020. Jammie grew up on her family’s cow-calf operation in the Sandhills of Nebraska. Prior to joining the AgDirect team, she worked for Farm Credit Services of America for nine-plus years for the Association’s country home loan and financial recordkeeping software teams. Jammie enjoys visiting her family in the Sandhills, spending time with her two sons and traveling.

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Jenn Perrings joined AgDirect in 2016 as an operations specialist. In 2022, she made a transition to the business development team as an inside sales representative. Jenn grew up in Omaha, Nebraska and studied business education at College of St. Mary. Prior to joining AgDirect, she worked in the banking industry for over five years. Jenn and her husband, Chris, and their four daughters live in Cedar Creek, Nebraska. In her free time, she enjoys watching her daughters’ games, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

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Jon White has been with AgDirect since September 2020. Jon grew up in Hastings, Nebraska, and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with degrees in business administration and film studies. Prior to joining AgDirect, he worked in the food service industry. Jon lives in Omaha with his partner, Arlo, and enjoys traveling, live events and snowboarding.

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Lila Peterson joined AgDirect in September 2011, after a decade in the irrigation division at Valmont Industries, Inc. Lila grew up on a dairy farm in Uehling, Nebraska, and graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Lila lives in Omaha with her husband, Bruce, and enjoys spending time with their five children. 

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Matt Muench came to AgDirect in December 2016 with 10 years of experience in sales and lending. A lifelong Nebraskan, Matt grew up in Worms, Nebraska graduated from Concordia University in Seward with a degree in business administration and lives in Omaha with his wife, Danielle, and daughter, Taylor. Matt enjoys rec league basketball, adult league baseball and fishing.

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Megan Sedlacek came to AgDirect in March 2020 with several years of heavy equipment advertising sales and account management and specialty pharmacy and genetic testing sales experience. Megan grew up in Pierce, Nebraska and earned a degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She enjoys a wide variety of activities, including traveling the U.S. and abroad, wake surfing, boating, golfing, volleyball, working out, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

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Mindy Dietze joined AgDirect in January 2017, after 10 years in the vehicle financing industry. Mindy grew up primarily in Fort Calhoun, Nebraska, and spent her summers on her father’s chicken, horse, pig and goat farm. She graduated from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln with a degree in business management and art. She enjoys spending time with family, camping, boating and shopping. She and her husband, Paul, have two daughters.

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Nick Barber began working for AgDirect in March 2019. He attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he earned a degree in agribusiness. His previous experience includes marketing and trading agricultural commodities for a global food processing and commodities trading corporation in Minnesota and Nebraska. Nick and his wife, Maddie, enjoy the outdoors, hiking with their dog and kayaking on local lakes. His hobbies include hunting, fishing and woodworking.

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Ryan Berstler joined the AgDirect team in July 2016. His previous experience includes food service distribution and sales. A Nebraska native, Ryan grew up in Grand Island, earned a degree in business administration at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and lives in Omaha with his wife, Dana, and their two daughters. Ryan enjoys spending time with his family, traveling and attending events.

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Sandy Schieffer joined the Direct team in October 2021. Sandy grew up on her family’s farm in Fordyce, Nebraska. Prior to October 2021, she worked for Farm Credit Services of America in a number of roles including loan processing and customer support. Sandy has three children and keeps very busy away from work tackling house projects and volunteering at her church.

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Sarah Meyers began working for AgDirect in February 2020. She grew up in North Bend, Nebraska and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in business administration. Prior to joining AgDirect, she worked as a travel nurse recruiter. Sarah and her husband, Clint, have two daughters. Their family enjoys spending time outdoors, especially at the pool or lake. Sarah also enjoys golfing. 

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Sonia Saini has been with AgDirect since October of 2014. Sonia graduated from Creighton University with a degree in psychology and continues to live in her native Omaha. She and her husband, Dave, and daughter, Annika enjoy traveling, outdoor activities and spending time with family.

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Spencer Reetz has been with AgDirect since October 2014. Raised in Ohiowa, Nebraska, on a cow-calf operation that included show cattle, Spencer earned a degree in animal science from Oklahoma Panhandle State University. He also holds a minor in ag business and natural resources. Spencer lives in Omaha and serves on the board of directors for the American Highland Cattle Association and continues to show livestock with his family.

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Stephen Pravecek started working for AgDirect in December 2019. Stephen was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, and earned a degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska- Kearney. His past work experience includes residential irrigation technician and part sales for heavy construction equipment. Stephen lives in Elkhorn, Nebraska with his wife Alyssa, and their daughters. Outside of work, he enjoys golfing and other outdoor activities and Creighton University athletics.

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Tom Laird has been with AgDirect since October 2015. Tom was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, and graduated from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. Prior to joining AgDirect, he worked in communications and fundraising for the non-profit sector. Tom enjoys reading, traveling, running, snow skiing and spending time with his family and friends.

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Travis Van Deursen began working for AgDirect in September 2020. He was born and raised in Omaha and graduated with a degree in psychology from the University of Iowa in Iowa City. After graduating college, Travis spent five years in Chicago. While there, he became an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs and live music. Travis also enjoys trying new restaurants, golfing and his dog, Wallace.

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Alex Bauer joined AgDirect in 2007 after his brother suggested he’d like the company’s work environment and the fast pace of activity.

“I’ve found that my teammates are like me – we are dedicated to agriculture and everyone works hard to take care of our customers,” Bauer says. “Building relationships with our customers and our Farm Credit partners is important to everyone at AgDirect.”

To put those concepts into practice, Bauer says, “I focus on going above and beyond customers’ expectations. It’s not just transactional. We try to make each experience great because we want them to be lifelong customers.”

In his spare time, Alex says his hobbies include anything to do with cars – “I grew up a gearhead.” He also enjoys traveling and attending concerts.

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The ability to adapt to change is one of the things that allows AgDirect to stand out in the agricultural equipment finance business, according to Andy Bustillos.

“Our company has invested in technology that enables us to get things done quickly,” says Bustillos, who joined AgDirect in 2013. “Customers know they can call me anytime, whether it’s the evening or the weekend, and get their questions answered. And everyone at AgDirect is willing to step up to the plate to help.”

Knowing there will be something different to work on each day makes it fun to go to work, he adds.

When he’s not working, Andy enjoys taking his young daughter fishing.

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The company’s investment in technology and intense focus on customer service are what attracted Brian Schrock to join AgDirect as territory manager for Missouri in 2015. Now that he’s on board, Schrock has found that his new colleagues are very accommodating and helpful as he gets up to speed.

“I’ve enjoyed the team’s experience in the equipment industry and focus on providing an effective financing tool,” he says. “They help me do my job, which is to develop long-term relationships with dealers, provide options to help their customers finance the diverse array of equipment that’s bought and sold.”

AgDirect’s ability to provide speedy loan processing and flexible financing options sets the stage for satisfied customers, Schrock adds.

When he’s not on the job, Brian enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, hunting and fishing. He’s also involved in community activities including his church and serving as an FFA advisor.

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For Calvin Sipes, what initially drew him to join AgDirect was what he saw as the ground-floor opportunity the company offered as a new financial tool for Wisconsin farmers.

That was in 2010. Today, what he likes most about his position is “working with the various ag-related businesses and customers and the relationships I’ve formed,” he says. “Working at AgDirect offers a high-level of personal satisfaction because of the great level of teamwork involved.”

Calvin also appreciates the company’s position as the go-to lender for customers with unique situations. “Our flexibility allows AgDirect to stand head and shoulders above the competition,” Sipes says.

When he’s off the job, Calvin enjoys golfing and visiting historical sites.

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Carla Mickey says she enjoys her job as an AgDirect territory manager, which she began in 2014, for two main reasons.

“We have great teamwork to find solutions for dealers’ and customers’ finance issues and that makes us the most flexible ag lender in the marketplace,” Mickey says. “Plus I work with teammates who love their profession and are always willing to help.”

For her customers, Mickey says her goal is to help them improve their profitability and grow their operations. “We do that by making things simple and offering a quick turnaround time,” she explains. “We’re competitive, fast and flexible.”

When she’s away from work, Carla spends time with her boys’ livestock projects and sports, as well as running, reading and gardening.

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What Chad Goldsmith likes about his job with AgDirect is its variety.

Since starting his job in 2010, Goldsmith says, “I have not done the same thing two days in a row. My dealerships, their customers and our partner Farm Credit associations are all evolving and changing, and I love that every day is a new challenge.”

Goldsmith believes AgDirect’s strength comes from its focus on agriculture. “We know agriculture on a much deeper level than other lenders,” he says. “With our Farm Credit partner relationships, we have long and very detailed history with our customers that’s unmatched. Showing a high level of care and commitment helps us extend those relationships.”

When he’s away from work, Chad enjoys playing basketball and coaching his kids’ sports teams.

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What attracted Chris Schimke to join AgDirect in 2013 was the prospect of working for a company that was dedicated to the success of its partners and customers.

“Team members are willing to go the extra mile to get things done right for the customer,” Schimke says. “Other lenders are internally focused. At AgDirect we are focused externally, so we take the time to understand what dealers’ and customers’ needs are and how AgDirect can best serve them.”

AgDirect’s competitiveness and flexibility mean Schimke doesn’t get bored. “Every day is different – different customers, different needs and different challenges,” he says. “I enjoy and look forward to every day.”

Away from work, Chris spends time fishing and camping with his family.

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The opportunity to work with ag equipment dealers and their customers is a highlight of Chris Steinkamp’s workday.

“Every day is different, but by working to understand each customer’s situation and looking for ways to help, I try to bring value to the relationships I build,” says Steinkamp, who joined AgDirect in 2002. “Our team has a high level of expertise and ag lending is all we do, so we are able to deliver a high level of customer service.”

The culture at AgDirect encourages employees to work together for the customers’ benefit. “Employees have a voice that can be heard,” Steinkamp says. “Everyone is willing and wanting to help each other.”

Away from his job, Chris enjoys hunting, sports activities and spending time with his family.

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Workplace comradery was what drew Chris Stout to AgDirect. “Prior to my role, I knew almost all of the territory managers out West and I always admired how highly they talked about their teammates with such admiration and positivity,” he says.

As an AgDirect territory manager, Stout strives to emulate the same sense of teamwork in his daily interactions with dealers and customers.

“Every day I have a chance to help them make a difference in their operations. There is a trust that comes along with that and nothing is more rewarding than earning business through trust.” When he’s away from work, Chris enjoys golfing, hiking, backpacking, kayaking, paddle boarding and reading with his family.

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The team atmosphere Clinton House experiences as an AgDirect territory manager is part of what makes the equipment financing program different from other ag lenders.

“I know if I need help with something, someone will have my back,” House says. “I would do anything I could to help my teammates, too.”

That helps House focus on his everyday job, which is helping customers. “I can make a difference by creating friendships and helping get more transactions completed,” he says.

When he’s off the job, Clinton and his family raise and show lambs and enjoy hunting and fishing.

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When Dan Takle joined AgDirect in 2002, he was impressed with the momentum the company had achieved.

“Customers and even prospective customers had great things to say about AgDirect and the products,” he says. “I could tell that AgDirect did things the right way and it was apparent the company really cared about its employees.”

That first impression has held true even as Takle has become a veteran.

“Dealers continually tell us we are the easiest to use and the most accommodating ag finance company they work with,” Dan says. “Leaders empower teammates to do their jobs independently. At the same time, we work hard and are accountable to each other. That means when a customer calls AgDirect, any person they talk to can answer just about any question they have.”

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Ed Harrison had been working as an agricultural equipment dealer when he joined AgDirect in 2012. “I worked with AgDirect and the inside staff really impressed me,” Harrison says. “Now I know I will get the best efforts from my team members every time I need assistance.”

Ed takes satisfaction from helping salespeople and end users achieve their goals. “I appreciate the opportunity to make someone’s day the best it can be, either by helping a salesperson get a deal or a customer the piece of equipment they want,” Harrison says. “We are an ag-focused lender. That’s all we do. We care about their business, and that makes a difference.”

When he’s not working, Ed enjoys participating in obstacle course races.

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The chance to remain a part of the Farm Credit System team — one he’s come to value as more than his circle of colleagues — is the main reason Heath Gentis jumped at the opportunity to become an AgDirect territory manager in 2017.

Beyond the AgDirect team’s philosophy aimed at serving buyers and sellers of farm machinery, Gentis says the emphasis on competitiveness within the equipment financing sector is a big reason why he’s happy to be part of AgDirect.

“It is the ultimate team environment,” he says. “The best part of my job is working with equipment dealers and providing them solutions to help them be successful at their own jobs.”

When he’s not on the job, Gentis enjoys spending time with family, especially when taking part in outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, camping and golf.

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Our AgDirect inside sales reps are experienced professionals who know agriculture and understand equipment.

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday
7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Central Time

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Jill Beck, who joined AgDirect in 2013, finds the best part of her job revolves around people.

“I work with teammates who are as passionate about their profession as I am,” Beck says. “And the dealership personnel I work with are as down to earth as they are professionals in their fields of expertise. And the farmers and loggers we serve are genuine salt-of-the-earth people and enjoyable to work with.”

Beck says AgDirect differs from competitors “because it’s the most flexible ag lender in the marketplace today. We always try to come up with workable solutions for both dealer and customer finance issues. And I always try to be available to assist them. There is no question that’s too simple or too complex to solve with my AgDirect team behind me.”

When she’s off the job, Jill’s hobbies revolve around horses and cattle as well as enjoying life with her family through travel, sports and food.

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Over a decade of experience in credit analysis and internal sales prepared Kenny Smith for his role as an AgDirect territory manager in central and northern Illinois.

“When I first joined the AgDirect team in 2011, I was attracted by the people and how fast the company was growing,” he says. Today, Smith continues to enjoy working with a team who is passionate about helping customers.

“What I like most about working at AgDirect is having the ability to work with different types of operations from small to very large,” he says. “Every day I get to meet new people and help individuals and companies finance their farm equipment.”

Outside of work, Kenny enjoys spending time with his family, golfing and participating in outdoor activities. He also enjoys watching sporting events and cheering on the Huskers during football season.

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Job flexibility and the family atmosphere among team members are what Kyle Thomas appreciates most about his job with AgDirect, which he joined in 2014.

“It’s important for me to create my own job schedule,” he says. “And working with my teammates, it feels like a family we only see at holidays, but we talk on a daily basis so that keeps us close. Collectively we have a deeper knowledge of the ag industry than other finance companies.”

Thomas relishes the opportunity to see the fruits of his labor on a frequent basis. "The best part of my day is seeing a transaction come together from the front end to the close,” he explains. The results are happy customers and happy dealers.”

Off the job, Kyle enjoys spending time with his young family’s sports activities and working as an auctioneer.

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Three qualities attracted Lucas Scheibe to his role as an AgDirect territory manager – people, product and organizational culture. Those same qualities are what keeps him motivated today. 

“I get a lot of satisfaction out of helping our customers, and it drives me knowing my teammates share this philosophy. There’s always someone willing to lend a helping hand.”

Scheibe says he and his teammates live out this mentality by “following up and following through”.

His hobbies and personal interests include spending time with family, traveling, hunting, fishing, sports or working on home construction projects.

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Previous work experience at the dealership level made moving into a role with AgDirect a natural transition for Mark Smith.

“I had known a couple of the territory managers when I was working at the dealership and they always seemed to enjoy what they did for AgDirect,” says Smith. “I was attracted by the opportunity to try something new and learn about the equipment financing business.”

Now, as an AgDirect territory manager for Colorado and Kansas, he says he appreciates being a part of a positive work environment.

“The AgDirect team is always welcoming and super helpful when questions arise,” he says. “I’ve been blown away by how this group of people gets along and look out for one another.”

Outside of work, Mark enjoys hunting, field trialing and trying new grilling or smoking recipes.

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Mike Fleming's relationship with agriculture runs deep. In addition to having connections to his mother’s family farm and his grandfather’s agricultural implement dealership, the southern New York state native has 10-plus years of service with the Farm Credit System.

A graduate of Cornell University, Mike has grown his sales, leadership and financial acumen through roles at Telmark, Inc., Wells Fargo and JP Morgan Chase Bank. He joins the AgDirect team following his role as a senior relationship manager with Farm Credit Leasing where he was responsible for all lease financing activities for commercial agricultural entities in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

Mike and his family enjoy biking, hiking, cross country skiing and kayaking in the mountains of northern New England.

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Since he joined AgDirect in 2012, Nick Johnson has come to appreciate the company’s drive to improve. “I like working for an organization that is always working to make their product better – whether it’s with technology, processes to enhance the customer experience or improve efficiency,” he says.

That focus on getting better helps him make a difference to his customers. “We are not in the business of wasting our customers’ time,” Johnson explains. “I try to create value on each call and leave our customers more educated about how we can help overcome challenges they face each day.”

When he’s not on the job, Nick enjoys college sports, grilling out and spending time with his family. “Managing my travel schedule with two little ones has brought some challenges, so we tend to spend time at home during the weekends.”

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When Richie Harris joined AgDirect in 2014, he wanted to be part of a successful and innovative company so that he could do what he loves.

“I wanted to help farmers and ranchers achieve their business goals,” Harris says. “Getting to work with equipment dealers and their customers is the best part of my job. We’re always looking ahead to help with technology, products and processes – it never gets boring.”

AgDirect has another advantage over other lenders, Harris says. “Being part of the Farm Credit System, we have more support for our borrowers that any other ag equipment lender in the world.”

When he’s away from work, Richie spends active time with his family – coaching sports, helping with 4-H livestock projects, hunting, fishing and competing in rodeos.

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In his previous job, Ryan Kruger used to compete with AgDirect and said he was amazed at the access, speed and flexibility AgDirect offered. “It was very humbling to go to a dealer and have them explain all the things that AgDirect was doing right when I was unable to offer much of the same things,” he says.

Ryan loves to see his how much his AgDirect teammates care about the customer experience. “Everyone is focused on the customer. Our job is to take care of the customer and the rest will fall into place.”

Ryan is working to make a difference with his customers – to be easy to work with and help them however he can. “At the end of the day, if someone says, ‘Well, that was easy,’ I know I’ve done my job.”

When he isn’t working, Ryan enjoys camping with his family, fishing, hunting and “occasionally hitting a golf ball straight.”

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Staying ahead of the constantly changing environment of the agricultural equipment market is one of Scott Welden’s biggest day-to-day challenges, but it is also one of the reasons he looks forward to each day’s work.

Welden began working with Farm Credit in 2000 and transitioned to AgDirect in 2010 --  he has the experience to deal with change. Plus, he’s found that all of his AgDirect team members make an effort to contribute to both their customers’ and the company’s success.

“One of the reasons AgDirect has been successful is its connection to the Farm Credit System,” he says. “I enjoy seeing the positive impact we make on the people with whom we work.”

Away from the job, Scott spends time with his children and their activities. He also enjoys outdoor sports.

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Before he joined AgDirect in 2015, Tate Moser had competed against the equipment financing program for many years. Now that he’s part of the team, he’s learned that it’s the people who make AgDirect a leader.

“I’ve worked in the trade credit arena for 20 years and I’ve never seen the level of dedication to customers that we have at AgDirect,” Moser says. “The commitment to the dealership network is remarkable and the investment in talent and technology is inspiring. Bottom line, AgDirect is dedicated to helping dealerships succeed.”

Moser looks forward to coming to work each day because success in his professional life has a direct result in providing for his family. “The more successful I can be, the better I can provide,” he says.

Away from work, Tate enjoys spending time with his family, on the water and with church and community activities.

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