Providing sound lending decisions to our customers requires a team of individuals who review and analyze our customer’s businesses and individual financial situations. The team includes credit analysts, credit managers and vice presidents of credit. Collectively, they work with the financial services officers to provide the best financing solutions for our customers and all of our 24,000 members. In this behind the scenes, we meet two credit managers.
Sarah Morack, Credit Manager
Little Chute, Wisconsin
14 Years of Service
Describe how your role carries out the GreenStone mission of supporting rural communities and agriculture:
Growing up on a dairy farm, I recognize the tremendous commitment our customers make to agriculture. They put their hearts and souls into their businesses. As a part of the credit department, my role is to help customers achieve their goals with access to debt capital. Sometimes we’re helping a business plan for growth or plan to bring in the next generation. Sometimes we’re helping find ways through a challenging situation. It is truly rewarding to show our commitment to agriculture and help these businesses grow and be successful.
What do you enjoy most about your role at GreenStone? The part of my role that I enjoy the most is the relationships I have made over the years. Our customers are the most genuine down-to-earth people and it is a pleasure to work with them. My fellow teammates in Little Chute are such a great group to work with and share a passion for agriculture. Our team strives every day to bring value to our customers and do the right thing. Knowing we’re all working together to get our customers what they need is a great feeling at the end of the day.
What changes and or technologies have been incorporated in your role to meet evolving customer needs?
No matter how fast or complex changes in technology come, maintaining communication with our customers will always be what’s important to me. Technology provides us so many different avenues to connect.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family. There always seems to be something going on with little kids! I enjoy cooking and baking, taking the kids to the park, and keeping busy in the garden. I also enjoy heading back to the farm with my kids for a little excitement.
Doug Abel, Credit Manager
East Lansing, Michigan
3 Years of Service
Describe how your role carries out the GreenStone mission of supporting rural communities and agriculture:
In my role, I am working with a team of GreenStone employees, including financial services officers, credit analysts and customer service representatives to proactively support the proper financing of larger agribusinesses and farms. Our work is to understand the borrower’s operation and provide loans and services that meets their needs now and down the road.
What do you enjoy most about your role at GreenStone?
I enjoy working with a motivated team that is always willing to help me learn something new. I also enjoy the opportunity to learn about customers’ operations first hand and gain an understanding of what it takes to get their product on the grocery store shelves.
What changes have been incorporated in your role to meet evolving customer needs?
It seems like so much has changed in a short time. From paperless files, to improved systems where we can view customer requests and plan ahead, GreenStone is always looking to find a better solution for their employees and customers. There are a number of upcoming initiatives to help us serve our members more efficiently that should really “move the needle” in 2020 and beyond.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my free time I enjoy kayaking, fishing, or anything that gets me outside. I also enjoy spending time with my family, especially playing sports with my boys, Ivan and Keller, or watching their sporting events.
To learn more about career responsibilities and available roles at GreenStone FCS, check our careers page.
To view the article in the online 2019 Fall Partners Magazine, click here.
