FRESNO MADERA FARM CREDIT (FMFC) - Key Persons
Mr. Kantrowitz is retired from a 38-year legal career in the Farm Credit System. During that time, he served as General Counsel for CoBank for almost 15 years with primary responsibility to provide all legal services, together with an effective team of lawyers and paralegals, to further the bank's objectives through regulatory interpretations, loan transactions and legal training for employees, directors and customers.
He has served on the Fresno Madera Farm Credit Board of Directors since May 2017.
Dan Kiggens - Chief Risk Officer, SVP
Job Titles:
- Chief Credit Officer
- Chief Risk Officer
- Senior Vice President
Mr. Kiggens serves as ACA Senior Vice President and Chief Risk Officer and has 25 years of Farm Credit experience. Mr. Kiggens is responsible for ensuring the Associations lending and loan quality objectives are met, and complying with the Association's credit standards, quality control programs and policies and procedures. Additionally, he oversees and fosters effective risk management within the organization. He was hired in October 1996, and has served in various capacities including Loan Officer, Portfolio Manager, Fresno Branch Manager, Portfolio Manager, and Assistant Chief Credit Officer, Chief Credit Officer. He has served in his current capacity since September 1, 2020. Mr. Kiggens Farm Credit experience includes complex direct lending, branch management, credit administration, development of supervisory controls and loan approvals.
Mr. Errotabere is a third-generation farmer and farms almonds, pistachios, wine grapes, pima cotton, tomatoes, garlic, seed lettuce, durum wheat and garbanzos. He is the General Partner of Errotabere Ranches and a Shareholder of El Dorado Almonds.
He has served the Fresno Madera Farm Credit Board of Directors since May 2014.
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President, Relationship Management
Mr. Ylarregui serves as ACA Senior Vice President, Relationship Management and has 31 years of Farm Credit experience. Mr. Ylarregui is responsible for loan origination and servicing, branch management, and achieving individual and branch portfolio credit quality standards and profitability. He was hired in September 1990, and has served in various capacities including Loan Officer, Portfolio Manager, and Madera Branch Manager. He has served in his current capacity since February 1, 2014.
Job Titles:
- Appointed Director
- Partner of Dritsas Groom
Mrs. Waite is a Partner of Dritsas Groom McCormick LLP, a full service accounting firm serving Fresno and the Central Valley. Her areas of expertise include: audit, review and compilation services, controllership services, internal accounting functions, and tax planning and preparation services for a broad range of businesses, including agriculture, construction and non-profit.
She has served on the Fresno Madera Farm Credit Board of Directors with designation as a Financial Expert since 2013.
Mr. Boldt was elected by the Fresno Madera Farm Credit voting stockholders to serve on the Board of Directors in May 2021. He is a member of a fifth-generation farming family, with a history dating back to 1907 in Reedley. He serves as president of Twin Palms Packing and Jeff Boldt Farms Inc. He has extensive experience in all aspects of agricultural and financial operations. Mr. Boldt produces almonds, peaches, nectarines, and walnuts, along with previous experience with plums.
Mr. Jue is a fourth-generation farmer and president of Jue, LLC which is a farming and agricultural limited liability company. Mr. Jue produces almonds, raisins, walnuts, pecans, and citrus. He also operates a fruit dehydrator specializing in golden raisins and raisin reconditioning.
He has served on the Fresno Madera Farm Credit Board of Directors since 2007 with designation as a Financial Expert since 2008. Mr. Jue served as the Chairman of the Board from 2012 to 2023.
Mr. Yribarren is a fourth generation farmer and farms grapes (raisins), alfalfa seed, almonds, organic tomatoes, organic watermelons, and wheat hay. He is also a vintner. He is the owner of J. Yribarren Farms and Yribarren Winery. He is also a member of Western Custom Ag, LLC.
He has served on the Fresno Madera Farm Credit Board of Directors since 2012.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- President
Mr. Hesterberg was hired on June 13, 2013 and serves as President and Chief Executive Officer. He has 29 years of experience working in the Farm Credit System. Prior to joining Fresno Madera Farm Credit, he worked for CoBank, ACB for 14 years, primarily based in Denver, Colorado and Sacramento, California. His CoBank experience included management of credit administration teams in Denver and Sacramento, and also portfolio management, including managing two regional banking centers serving 14 states in the West, Midwest, and Southeastern U.S. Mr. Hesterberg began his Farm Credit service in Illinois in various roles including Branch Manager and Vice President of Commercial Lending.
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President
- SVP, Appraisal Program Manager
Mr. Brown serves as ACA Senior Vice President and Appraisal Program Manager and has 31 years of Farm Credit experience. Mr. Brown is responsible for the operation of the real estate and chattel appraisal department and ensures the delivery of credible, accurate and timely appraisals which are developed independently from credit delivery operations to mitigate risk. Additionally, Mr. Brown has oversight responsibilities of the Association's insurance risk management program and the facilities and fleet operations. He was hired in April 1991 and has held his current position as Appraisal Program Manager since August 16, 1999. He is a Certified General Real Estate appraiser and is designated as an Accredited Rural Appraiser (ARA). Prior to joining Fresno Madera Farm Credit, Mr. Brown worked for Farmer's Home Administration as an Assistant County Supervisor in agricultural lending and appraisal.
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer
- Senior Vice President
Mr. Thomas serves as ACA Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and was hired in January 2022. He is responsible for the Association's operations including information technology, business intelligence, compliance, and project management. He also serves as the executive sponsor to oversee the Association's outsourced technology operations. He is a Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager from the American Bankers Association. Mr. Thomas's prior experience includes over 25 years in retail and commercial banking including serving as a Chief Operating Officer, Chief Technology Officer, and Chief Risk Officer leading teams in areas of operations, compliance risk, vendor management and technology.
Mr. Herman is a third generation farmer and farms almonds, citrus, figs, kiwis, persimmons, pistachios, pomegranates, and walnuts. He is the Owner of Kevin Herman Ranches, President of The Specialty Crop Company, and General Partner of 53 Pistachio Ranch LP.
He has served on the Fresno Madera Farm Credit Board of Directors since May 2018.
Mr. Shebelut is a third generation farmer and farms almonds, apples, apricots, pears, cherries, grapes, nectarines, and peaches. He is the General Partner of Del Shebelut Farms. He is also an employee involved in grower relations for Trinity Fruit Sales.
He has served on the Fresno Madera Farm Credit Board of Directors since May 2014.
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President and Chief Lending Officer
- SVP, Chief Lending Officer
Ms. Ghazi serves as ACA Senior Vice President and Chief Lending Officer and has 12 years of Farm Credit experience. Ms. Ghazi oversees the Relationship Management, Capital Markets, Credit, and Legal departments within the association. She was hired in April 2022, and her previous experience includes 12 years at CoBank where she served in various leadership roles including as Senior Vice President of the Farm Credit Banking Group where she led the bank's relationships with Farm Credit Associations and the Digital Business Solutions team. Prior to that she served as the Western Region President for CoBank which included supervision over CoBank's direct lending portfolio, and Senior Vice President and Division Manager for CoBank's Agricultural Export Finance division. Ms. Ghazi's additional experience includes time with BMO Capital Markets where she served as Vice President of the Food and Consumer Group and Vice President of Corporate Banking.
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Senior Vice President
Ms. Decker serves as ACA Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and was hired in July 2023. She brings with her more than five years of Farm Credit experience. Ms. Decker is responsible for the Association's fiscal operations including regulatory and financial reporting, development and monitoring of internal control systems, and asset/liability management functions. She was hired in July 2023, and her previous experience includes five years at Farm Credit of New Mexico where she served in various leadership roles including as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer as well as Vice President and Controller. Prior to that she served for nine years as the Controller for Weststar Mortgage Corporation based out of Albuquerque. Ms. Decker's additional experience includes time as an auditor with KPMG, a global network of professional firms providing audit, tax, and advisory services. She also spent time as a program coordinator at Central New Mexico Community College's School of Applied Technologies. Ms. Decker has been a Certified Public Accountant with the State of New Mexico since 2010.
Job Titles:
- Leader
- Appointed Director
Ms. Schmiesing was appointed to the Fresno Madera Farm Credit Board of Directors in May 2021. Ms. Schmiesing is an innovative leader with a demonstrated history of success in Human Resources in the Farm Credit System. She has successfully built a strong career with various high-profile institutions, where she held a variety of leadership assignments. She led the creation of the organization which provides shared business services such as employee benefits, asset management, technology, and payroll operations for 60% of the Farm Credit System.
Job Titles:
- Chief Administrative Officer
- SVP
Ms. Graham serves as ACA Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, Information Security Officer, and Corporate Secretary and has 24 years of Farm Credit experience. Ms. Graham directs administrative operations including human resources, training and staff programs, and marketing. Additionally, she has oversight responsibilities of the Association's loan accounting operations. She was hired in January 1998 and has served in various capacities within the organization including Loan Accounting Manager and Administrative Services/HR Manager. She has served in her current capacity as Chief Administrative Officer since March 15, 2012. Prior to joining Fresno Madera Farm Credit, Ms. Graham worked in public accounting.
Mr. Schafer is a fourth generation farmer and farms wine grapes, almonds, raisins, and figs. He is a vintner and also manages farm operations. He is an Officer of Schafer Ranch, Inc., and a Partner of Almond Tree Hulling as well as a Partner of Schafer and Schafer. He is also the owner of San Joaquin Wine Co.
He has served on the Fresno Madera Farm Credit Board of Directors since 2004.
Mr. Carstens is a third generation farmer and farms grapes (juice and raisins) and walnuts. He is an appraiser and real estate broker. Mr. Carstens is the owner of Accu-Rate Realty and Carstens Appraisal services.
He was elected by the Fresno Madera Farm Credit voting-stockholders to serve on the Board of Directors in May 2019.