On a member elected board of directors, the value of appointed experts is recognized. When the time comes to replace that knowledge, an important search and selection process unfolds. Thanks to a successful process, GreenStone’s board of directors selected two new appointed directors to serve on GreenStone’s board: Paul Lindow and Rick Snyder.
Paul Lindow joined the board as the financial expert, filling the void that will be left when current appointed director Gene College retires from the board in December 2025. As the financial expert, Paul will chair the board’s audit committee.
Rick Snyder joins the board bringing a new set of expertise to the board table – as a technology and cyber security expert. Recognizing the evolution of technology in the office and on the farm, this is a new appointed director seat for GreenStone. Rick will also chair a new, soon to be established technology board committee.
Paul brings extensive experience in serving large organizations in areas such as risk management, internal audit, finance, and corporate governance. Paul is a retired senior partner with Deloitte & Touche LLP, where he focused on the banking and capital markets sector including serving the Farm Credit System from 2013 until his retirement in June 2024.
Paul received his Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Michigan State University and is a graduate from the University of Washington Pacific Coast Banking School. Paul is a past member of the Michigan State University College of Business Advisory Board and currently is a board member for The Grosse Pointe Academy as well as Teach for America – Teach Michigan. Additionally, he is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, a Certified Public Accountant in Michigan and California, and a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors.
Rick currently serves as the CEO of SensCy, a cybersecurity start-up focused on helping small and medium-sized organizations improve their cyberhealth. He brings with him a myriad of experience as a business executive, venture capitalist, attorney, accountant, and served as the Governor of Michigan from 2011-2018.
Rick holds a Bachelor of General Studies, a Master of Business Administration, and a Juris Doctor, all from the University of Michigan. He is also a Certified Public Accountant. In addition, Rick serves on the board of Business Leaders for Michigan and PVS Chemicals.
Paul Lindow, Appointed Director with expertise focused in finance:
"My interest in participating on our GreenStone board stemmed from my extensive experience in serving the Farm Credit System as a consulting professional with Deloitte. This experience informed me of the strong reputation and brand of GreenStone within the Farm Credit System. As a result, I am honored and excited to be part of our board.I hope to make a difference on the board as well as the audit committee by bringing my three decades of experience and board room knowledge to GreenStone. Additionally, I hope to be able to identify and guide us through the evolving and increasing stockholder expectations, and as the designated financial expert continue to provide the oversight to ensure strong internal controls, financial management and financial reporting.
I am most looking forward to serving as an ambassador for GreenStone within the Farm Credit System as well as the communities in which we serve. Also, I am relishing the opportunity to work with our outstanding management team and the board in assisting and advising on current and future strategic initiatives.
From a personal perspective, I am married with three children – all boys – including a 12-year-old. In addition to serving on GreenStone’s board, I am extremely active in my local community and an avid traveler, having visited over 80 countries – including all seven continents."
Rick Snyder, Appointed Director with expertise in information technology:
"As Governor, I had the honor to frequently interact with our agricultural community. It was a great experience, and, with teamwork, we were able to achieve a number of positive goals. Key partners in these efforts were Farm Bureau, various commodity groups, and GreenStone. One of the bills I was most proud of signing into law was the Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Act. A winning program for all!
I hope that experience, along with my business, public policy, and technology experiences can enhance the board’s ability to provide strong strategic direction and support to the GreenStone management team. In particular, I hope to leverage my expertise in cybersecurity to help GreenStone and its partners be even safer in the ever more challenging cyberworld.
My first farm experiences were interacting with my farm cousins in Ionia County and helping my best friend farm and fix old tractors in high school. Now, I am looking forward to building even stronger personal and professional relationships with members of the GreenStone family and contributing to the long-term success of the cooperative and its members. GreenStone’s historic track record has been great; we need to keep it going!"
To view the summer 2025 issue of Partners magazine in its entirety, click here.
