Birth Year: 1972
Occupation: Farming
Laus Creek Farm is a multigenerational grain farm in
northeast Kansas. We raise no-till corn and soybeans,
utilizing the latest precision and sustainable farming
techniques. In addition, we provide custom crop
protection application as well as year-round grain
hauling for clients.
Education:
Kansas State University, B.S., Geography
FCCS Premier Governance Series (PGS) Certification
Current Leadership:
Board Vice Chairperson and Governance Committee
Chairperson, Frontier Farm Credit
Trustee, Hiawatha Community Foundation
President, Laus Creek Farm Inc.
Owner, Laus Creek Trucking LLC
Member, Highland Community College Precision
Agriculture Advisory Committee
WHY I WANT TO SERVE ON THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
I would be honored to continue to represent fellow
farmers, ranchers and agribusiness on the Frontier
Farm Credit (Association) Board. I believe the
cooperative model shines brightest when shareholders
communicate directly with Board members who
have the same passion for agriculture as they do,
and this motivates me to carry those voices into the
boardroom. Keeping the customer-stockholder at the
forefront of decision making is paramount, therefore
I am committed to maintaining a strong, responsible
patronage program that truly benefits the patrons and
their communities.
EXAMPLE OF A LEADERSHIP ROLE THAT
PREPARED ME FOR A POSITION ON THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Other than being a father, I believe that serving on the
Association Board is the most important leadership role
I have had the privilege to hold. This directorship
role has uniquely positioned me to help guide this
Association toward an exciting future. The Association
is, and more importantly, will continue to be, a leader
within the Farm Credit System. I am looking forward to
representing the shareholders into that future.
BUSINESS KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND/OR
EDUCATION IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
Strategic Planning: I am directly involved in quarterly
strategic planning sessions for the Association. These
sessions include analyzing financial data to determine
the Association’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities
and threats (SWOT). This data includes revenue and
expense trends, cash flow and capital expenditures.
I believe that any strategic planning initiatives must
keep the customer-stockholder’s best interests
at heart.
Corporate Governance: As the current Board
Governance Committee chairperson, I lead quarterly
discussions, reviewing and updating policies, bylaws
and governance guidelines to further align and comply
with regulations. These ensure that the Association
continues to operate in a responsible yet efficient
manner. In addition, I have served as Brown County
Farm Bureau vice president and on the Kansas
Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers State
Committee, as well as on the Kansas State Brown
County Extension board.
Financial Reporting: As a member of the Board
Audit Committee, I help identify financial risks and
opportunities, develop strategies to mitigate risks
and optimize financial performance. At Laus Creek
Farm, I review and approve all financial reports for
our farming and trucking operations in conjunction
with our internal bookkeeper and an external
accountant. In addition, I served as the chairperson
of our church’s finance committee.
Business Technology: I embrace implementing
and utilizing new technologies as they become
available in all aspects of business. I was an early
adopter (receiving a Certificate of Completion for the
Ag/Innovator Institute GIS Workshop) of precision
farming technologies such as yield mapping, variable
rate fertilizer, seed, lime and precision herbicide
application, and cloud-based input prescriptions and
reporting. I also use the Association’s digital platform
for things such as remote check deposit.
Risk Management: As president of Laus Creek Farm
Inc., I am directly involved in daily risk management.
This includes grain commodity marketing, crop input
pricing, weather volatility and other variables that
affect the bottom line of the business. My education
in this area includes a Certificate of Completion for
Risk Management and Marketing from Kansas State
Research and Extension for Ag Producers. I also serve
on the Association’s Business Risk Committee.
Talent Management: I am responsible for the
oversight of employees of Laus Creek Farm Inc. I must
also manage my time, making sure I spend enough
time with my family and to ensure that I never take
that time for granted. I serve on the Association’s
Human Capital Committee and have previously served
as chairperson of our church’s Staff-Parish Relations
(human resources) committee.