Farm credit board election - Kentucky candidates

By Blake Jackson

Farm Credit Mid-America has announced the candidates running for its Board of Directors and 2025 Nominating Committee, offering customer-owners in Kentucky the opportunity to participate in the upcoming election. Voting stockholders residing in Kentucky can cast their votes from May 9, 2024, at 12 a.m. through June 14, 2024, at 9 p.m. EDT.

The Board of Director election features candidates representing various regions, including Kentucky. Among those vying for the four open positions are individuals like John L. Kuegel, Jr. from Owensboro and Matt Watson from Flemingsburg.

These candidates are committed to understanding and addressing the challenges and opportunities within agriculture and rural communities, which directly impact Farm Credit Mid-America's strategic vision and cooperative success.

The Board of Directors, comprising fifteen stockholder-elected positions and two board-appointed outside directors, plays a pivotal role in setting policy and strategic direction for the cooperative. This year's election will determine directors for four-year terms, representing regions such as Kentucky, alongside Arkansas/Missouri, Indiana, and Ohio.

Additionally, Kentucky voting stockholders will select members for the 2025 Nominating Committee. This committee, consisting of five individuals from Kentucky, helps nominate candidates for future elections. The Nominating Committee candidates include names like Steven Bach, Amanda Gajdzik, and Eric Howard, among others, who will play a vital role in shaping the cooperative's leadership landscape.

To ensure transparency and objectivity, voting stockholders will receive candidate information and can access details about the election process. The ballot and voting logistics are managed by Survey & Ballot Systems, a third-party vendor responsible for gathering and tabulating votes online and via mail.

The election results will be tallied by Survey & Ballot Systems in June, following the conclusion of voting, with outcomes announced shortly thereafter. This democratic process empowers Kentucky customer-owners to contribute to the governance of Farm Credit Mid-America, reflecting the cooperative's commitment to inclusive and representative leadership in serving rural America.

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