Directorship
Being a member of the board of directors for Western AgCredit is rewarding, but also requires dedication, time and attention – dedication to the mission of the Association, time to participate in monthly board meetings, periodic trainings and additional meetings, and attention to the needs of the members and the Association.
2025 Director Elections
All Voting Stockholders may vote for any nominee in any region regardless of the region where the Voting Stockholder is headquartered.
Biographies for the 2025 Director Candidates
Region 1
All of Box Elder, Cache, and Rich Counties, State of Utah.
Benjamin C. Ferry (Nominee)
Benjamin C. Ferry is 68 years old and resides in Corinne, Utah. Mr. Ferry is a joint owner/operator (with his brother and other family members) and officer of J. Y. Ferry & Son, Inc. and Little Mountain Cattle Company, L.C. Combined, these entities consist of a beef cattle (cow/calf and feeders) enterprise, a commercial feedlot, and a crop (corn, wheat, and hay) enterprise. Mr. Ferry is also a joint owner/operator and officer of Little Mountain Holdings, L.C., a real estate company involved with commercial warehousing, hunting, and other development activities. Operating and managing these businesses has been his primary occupation for at least the past five years. Mr. Ferry currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Corinne Cemetery Maintenance District and the Corinne Drainage Maintenance District.
Kim D. Haws (Incumbent)
Kim D. Haws is 68 years old and resides in Newton, Utah. Mr. Haws is a joint owner/operator (with his spouse) and officer of Haws Farms Inc., which consists of a crop (hay, corn, barley, and wheat) operation. Operating and managing this business has been his primary occupation for at least the past five years. Mr. Haws currently serves on the Board of Directors of Newton Water Users Association.
Riggin J. Holmgren (Nominee)
Riggin J. Holmgren is 37 years old and resides in Bear River, Utah. Mr. Holmgren is a joint operator (with his father) and officer of Holmgren Brothers Inc. He is also a joint operator (with his father) of RJ Farms, LLC. Combined, these entities consist of a beef cattle (cow/calf and feeders) enterprise and a crop (onions, corn, wheat, and hay) enterprise. Operating and managing these businesses has been his primary occupation for at least the past five years. Mr. Holmgren currently serves on the Bear River City Council and as a Trustee for the Bear River Water Conservancy District.
Region 2
All of Weber, Morgan, Davis, Summit, Daggett, Duchesne, and Uintah Counties, State of Utah; all of Uinta and a portion of Lincoln Counties, State of Wyoming.
Steve W. Hanberg (Nominee)
Steve W. Hanberg is 65 years old and resides in Randlett, Utah. Mr. Hanberg is a joint owner/operator (with his spouse) and officer of Steve Hanberg Farms, L.L.C., which consists of a crop (hay, corn, and wheat) enterprise and a winter grazing enterprise. Operating and managing this business has been his primary occupation for at least the past five years. Mr. Hanberg currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Central Utah Water Conservancy District and the Associated Water Users Association. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Ouray Park Irrigation Company and the Uintah Conservation District.
Jeffery T. Hill (Nominee)
Jeffery T. Hill is 47 years old and resides in Plain City, Utah. Mr. Hill is a joint member and operator (with his father and brother) of Hill Farms and Cattle, LLC; Hill Farms Trucking L.L.C.; and J. Hill Farms, LLC. Combined, these entities consist of a crop enterprise (hay, corn, barley, and wheat), a custom farming enterprise, and a trucking enterprise. Operating and managing these businesses has been his primary occupation for at least the past five years. Mr. Hill currently serves on the Board of Directors of Weber County Farm Bureau and as Vice President.
How do I know if I qualify to be a candidate?
Western AgCredit’s Policy Manual defines the following qualifications of a director:
- Must be less than 75 years of age on December 31st of the year prior to the election
- Experience with production agriculture practiced in the Association’s geographic territory
- A basic understanding of financial and credit matters
- Background, education, or experience in the areas of agricultural business, agricultural economics, or management
- Knowledge and experience in political advocacy with political relationships being advantageous
- Commitment to the Farm Credit System, the Association, Association customers, and dedication of the time needed to serve as an effective Board member
- Respect for fellow Board members and the ability to find a balance between assertiveness and cohesiveness
- Effective communication skills
- Willingness to contribute and speak out in the course of deliberations and then support the final decision of the Board
- Integrity and loyalty
- Willingness to delegate to management, when appropriate
- Independent and void of real or potential conflicts of interest
- Commitment to fulfillment of fiduciary obligations
- Ability and commitment to maintain confidentiality
What is expected of me as an elected director?
Potential candidates seeking election to the Board are expected to be aware of and fully participate in the following:
The Board generally has 11 monthly Board Meetings per year (all months except August), with 10 of the meetings being one day in length. All Board Meetings are held at the Administrative Office in South Jordan on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Board Meetings usually begin around 8:00 a.m. and end around 2:00p.m. (including lunch). Overnight hotel accommodations are provided on the night before the meeting for Board Members traveling longer distances to attend.
View Complete List of Expectations
