West Palm Beach, FL–(November 8, 2012-Farm Credit of FL) – Farm Credit of Florida, a leading agricultural financial cooperative, announced that Don Rice, the association’s Chief Executive Officer will be retiring this month, after a successful career spanning over 30 years within the Farm Credit system. After conducting a national search, the CEO search committee selected Gregory Cunningham to lead the $925 million dollar cooperative.
Woody Larson, Chairman of the Board of the 2,300 member credit association, is looking forward to officially introducing Mr. Cunningham to the senior management team and his fellow directors at the November board meeting.
“Greg comes to our association with 26 years of financial experience and a strong agricultural background. We anticipate our members will benefit from his experience in the commercial banking industry combined with his 22 years of Farm Credit service,” said Larson. “The Farm Credit Board of Directors believes that Greg’s past success and outstanding leadership skills confirm his ability to help us realize the full potential of our association.”
Prior to joining Farm Credit of Florida, Mr. Cunningham held the position of CEO of Legacy Ag Credit and prior to that, CCO of Alabama Ag Credit. Greg started his career as a loan officer with the Federal Land Bank Association of Lake Providence, Louisiana, moving to Branch Manager/Corporate Loan Manager for Carolina Farm Credit. He then spent four years at two commercial banks in North Carolina before returning to the Farm Credit System when he joined Alabama Ag Credit. Greg grew up in Louisiana on a part-time cattle ranch and was an avid 4-H and FFA participant. He is an alumnus of Louisiana Tech University and served for 21 years in the Army National Guard in North Carolina and Louisiana.
As one of the largest agricultural lenders in Florida, Farm Credit of Florida’s $925 million portfolio includes many of Florida’s leading agribusiness owners. Headquartered in West Palm Beach, the cooperative has 11 service centers throughout the state and employs 140 employees.