Who We Are

Thomas G. Stegman | President & CEO

Tom has worked for Farm Credit for more than 27-years in Information Technology. In his previous role at AgVantis as Vice President Technical Services & Operations, Tom was responsible for new technology research and implementation, system and network security, system management, hardware and software standards, technology infrastructure, and computer operations processing. He has directed several large technology projects, including Online Banking and web-based agriculture portal implementation, Lawson HRIS system with web-based Employee Self-Service, the district Year 2000 project, online reports, and development of Intranet systems for AgVantis and various customers.

Tom was raised on a family farm in southwestern Kansas, and obtained a degree in Mathematics at St. Mary’s of the Plains College in Dodge City, Kansas.

Michael Koch | Vice President of Technical Services

Mike has overall responsibility for AgVantis’ computing infrastructure, including systems administration, database admin, security, audits, compliance, and disaster recovery. He and his staff oversee e-mail services, web sites, and security issues.

Before joining AgVantis, Mike had a successful 25-year career in information systems management, enterprise-level systems implementations, web software development, IT consulting, accounting, strategic planning, database design, LAN / WAN design compliance, and hardware configuration. Directly prior to joining AgVantis, Mike was the Chief Information Officer of Omaha-based Resource Insurance Consultants (RIC), installing and supporting software and services for large banks throughout the United States. Prior to joining RIC, Koch was the Chief Operating Officer of Omaha-based Paradigm Solutions Corp. Paradigm operates Web-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems for retail and financial services companies across the country.

Mike also served as Executive Director of Creighton Institute for Information Technology and Management, where he developed comprehensive IT training programs involving e-commerce technologies, PC’s, and mainframes. As President of Automation, Inc. (Omaha, NE), Mike led a company that provided software, hardware, systems integration, and programming services to companies in several industries throughout the US and Canada.

His financial experience includes the CFO positions at AAA Nebraska and The Scoular Company.

Koch holds an MBA from Indiana University and is an Oracle and Microsoft Certified Professional.

Michael L. Smith | Vice President Finance & Lending Applications

Mike provides leadership and oversight for research and implementation of technology and application solutions. This is primarily in the areas of loan origination, loan accounting, general ledger, financial reporting and financial analysis. Mike has managed several large projects including Fidelity Profile loan accounting system upgrade, Lawson Financial Suite implementation, various automated electronic transaction processing initiatives, wholesale to retail loan match funding and loan participation and participation pool processing.

Mike has worked in various Information Technology positions during his 20 years with the Farm Credit system. Mike was raised in rural South-central Kansas, and obtained a degree in Computer Science from Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas.

Dennis Hunsberger | Vice President of Application Systems

Dennis is responsible for the design, development, implementation, and maintenance of software solutions for AgVantis customers. Notable accomplishments include leading the development of one of the first credit scoring systems in Farm Credit, directing the development and implementation of a fully integrated loan origination, analysis, and documentation system, and the implementation of an application portal providing real-time access to customer, account, and operational information. He also heads AgVantis’ initiative to provide its clients with a comprehensive Customer Relationship Management solution. Dennis has been with the Farm Credit System for almost 20 years, and has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas.

Philip M. Wentworth, Jr. | Vice President Marketing & Business Development

Philip is responsible for AgVantis’ overall marketing and business development. This includes development and refinement of the AgVantis marketing plan, identifying opportunities for new customers, enhancing and strengthening relationships with existing customers, actively marketing AgVantis services, and coordinating communications and information on AgVantis products and services to internal and external stakeholders.

Philip came to AgVantis from Consulture, LLC, a custom development and project management company providing web-enabled printing and messaging applications to a diverse customer base. As the VP of Business Development for Consulture, Philip was responsible for the overall marketing, sales and business development direction. Prior to Consulture, he was Director of Business Development for WebCE and LegalEdNet, a nationwide leader of Internet-delivered financial services and insurance continuing education products and services.

Philip grew up in Dallas, Texas and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas.

Craig E. Meyer | Vice President – Support Services

Craig focuses on the Credit Analysis, Risk Management, and Financial Planning and Modeling tools - as well as the management and delivery of help desk support AgVantis provides to its customers. As a 35-year veteran of Farm Credit he has worked as a Loan Officer and Appraiser for the FLBA of Chanute and the FLBA of Hays, worked with Information Technology, Operations and Board activities for the Farm Credit Bank of Wichita and the Ninth District FLBA/PCA, and performed Internal Audits for the Farm Credit Bank of Wichita. Prior to joining Farm Credit, Craig taught vocational agriculture at Salina Central High School, Salina, Kansas.

Craig is a graduate of Kansas State University with a degree in Agricultural Education and graduate work in Adult and Continuing Education.

2010 AgVantis Board of Directors

Scott R. Anderson, Chairman
President and CEO, The FLBA of Kingsburg, FLCA
Kingsburg, California

P.L. "Butch" McComas, Vice Chairman
President and CEO, Chisholm Trail Farm Credit, ACA
Enid, Oklahoma

James F. Feldkamp
Director, Frontier Farm Credit, ACA
Manhattan, Kansas

David D. Janish
Senior Vice President Finance, U.S. AgBank, FCB
Wichita, Kansas

Larry A. Maxwell
President and CEO, FC of Western Kansas, ACA
Colby, Kansas

Alfred "Al" E. Porter
President and CEO, Farm Credit of New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Cecil H. Sheperson
President and CEO, AgPreference, ACA
Altus, Oklahoma

Douglas L. Thurman
President and CEO, High Plains Farm Credit, ACA
Larned, Kansas

Russell J. Tomky
President and CEO, Farm Credit of Southern Colorado, ACA
Colorado Springs, Colorado