Senior Management

Kenny S. Brown, Senior Vice President - Policy and Compliance
Kenny S. Brown primarily was Director of Internal Audit and Review. He has been with Capital Farm Credit since 2000 and has experience in lending and administrative operations with Heritage Land Bank, ACA and as a Commissioned Examiner with the Farm Credit Administration (FCA). Mr. Brown is a graduate of Louisiana State University and has 15 years of Farm Credit System experience and over 4 years of experience with FCA.

Patricia A. Gonzales, Sr. Vice President - Accounting and Administration
Patricia A. Gonzales was CFO of Southwest Texas ACA until the merger with Capital Farm Credit. She is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the State of Texas and a graduate of St. Edward’s University with a BBA in Accounting. She has 5 years public accounting experience and worked for the Farm Credit Bank of Texas for 12 years, culminating in the Controller position, before joining Southwest Texas in 1999. Mrs. Gonzales has 19 years of Farm Credit experience, and is chairperson of the District’s CFO roundtable.

Mark L. Hiler, Senior Vice President - Lending Operations
Mark L. Hiler, formerly Chief Operating Officer of Southwest Texas ACA, directs operations and marketing. Mr. Hiler was President of the FLBA of Uvalde prior to its merger into Southwest in 1996. He has 26 years of Farm Credit experience and holds BBA and master's degrees from Texas A&M University.

Ben R. Novosad, Chief Executive Officer
Ben R. Novosad was Chief Executive Officer of Capital Farm Credit prior to the merger and continues in that position. He became CEO of the FLBA of Bryan in September 1986. Since that time, he has guided the Association through several mergers and has overseen the successful transition of the organization from FLBA agent lender to a direct lender FLCA, then to the current structure, a multi-faceted $2.5 billion agricultural credit association. Mr. Novosad is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a degree in Agricultural Economics, and has 30 years experience with the Farm Credit System. On a national basis, he serves several Farm Credit Systemwide organizations, including the Presidents’ Planning Committee, the System Risk Management Workgroup, the Horizons Task Force, and the Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation Workgroup.

Eric C. Rothe, Executive Vice President - Lending
Eric C. Rothe, previously CEO of Southwest Texas ACA, now oversees the credit functions for Capital Farm Credit. During his tenure as CEO of Southwest Texas ACA, a position in which he served since becoming CEO of the FLBA of Devine in February 1984, he led several mergers and transitioned the association from an FLBA to a $650 million ACA. He also served as President of Western FLBA of Marfa and as Assistant Manager of FLBA of Uvalde. He has 27 years of FCS experience and holds a master's degree in Agricultural Economics from Texas A&M University.

Don VandeVanter, Senior Vice President - Finance
Don VandeVanter, Chief Financial Officer of Capital Farm Credit until it merged with Southwest Texas ADA, is in charge of pricing and capital management. Prior to joining Capital Farm Credit in 1999, he was the CFO for Texas AgFinance, FCS for eight years. Mr. VandeVanter began his Farm Credit career with the Farm Credit Bank of Texas in 1987, after working for 3 years in public accounting. He graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in accounting, and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the State of Texas and also serves as District representative on the Farm Credit System Accounting Standards Workgroup.

Roy A. West, Senior Vice President - Credit
Roy A. West was Chief Credit Officer of Southwest Texas ACA from 1998 until it merged with Capital Farm Credit. As Senior Vice President-Credit, he is responsible for credit policies and standards. Mr. West has previously served as Director of Credit for the Farm Credit Bank of Texas and Vice President for Capital of Texas FLBA. Overall, he has 25 years FCS experience. His past experience includes loan and appraisal positions for the USDA and a local appraisal company. He graduated in 1979 from Southwest Texas State University with a B.A. in Agriculture.

Paul Aelvoet, Director
Mr. Aelvoet has ranched and farmed in Medina County for 27 years. He has been the 4-H club manager for 23 years and is a past director of the Medina County Farm Bureau.

James B. Carlson, Director
Mr. Carlson is a farmer from La Villa and has been engaged in farming for 35 years. Mr. Carlson raises cotton, corn, sugarcane and onions.

Richard Counts, Director-Elected Director
Mr. Counts started serving as a director-elected director in February 2005. He retired as a CPA and audit partner with Arthur Andersen, LLP in June 1996. Mr. Counts has served as a financial consultant for various companies from 1996 through 2005.

Dale A. Crenwelge, Director

Mr. Crenwelge operates agricultural and investment properties in Central and West Texas and lives on his ranch near Comfort. He serves as Trustee of the Ambleside School in Fredericksburg is a current member of the Texas Farm Bureau and the Texas Wildlife Association.

Lee J. Fazzino, Director
Mr. Fazzino is a farmer and rancher with operations in Robertson, Burleson and Brazos counties. Mr. Fazzino currently serves as director of Westbrook Valley Gin Co., Inc. and for the Taylor Cotton Compress.

James L. Forgason, D.V.M., Director
Dr. Forgason is a self-employed veterinarian and rancher from Wharton County. Dr. Forgason currently has an ownership interest in J.D. Hudgins, Inc. and is a partner of Forgason Division.

Paul L. Garrison, Jr., Director
Mr. Garrison is a rancher from Bandera County and serves as director for the Bandera Electric Co-op and the Bandera County Soil & Water Conservation District.

Grady Grounds, Jr., Director
Mr. Grounds is a rancher and businessman in Houston County. He is owner of Town and Country Cleaners.

George S. Harrington, Director
Mr. Harrington is a rancher from Colorado County. Mr. Harrington is retired from Tenneco Inc., where he was director of financial controls and assistant corporate controller.

Kenneth Hees, Director
Mr. Hees is a farmer and rancher from Travis County. Mr. Hees is chairman for the Taylor Soil and Water Conservation District, president of the St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Pflugerville, and a member of the Texas Farm Bureau, Capital City A&M Club, the 12th Man Foundation, the Southwest Cattle Raisers’ Association and the Independent Cattleman’s Association.

F. Shelby Henke, Director
Mr. Henke is a farmer/rancher from Atascosa County and has been engaged in farming and ranching for 44 years. Mr. Henke also has managed a rural water supply corporation for the past 29 years. Mr. Henke also serves on the Stockholders’ Advisory Committee for the Farm Credit Bank of Texas.

Lester C. Little, Chairman
Mr. Little is a farmer/rancher from Lavaca County, doing business in Galveston, Ft. Bend, Harris, Brazoria, Lavaca and Jackson counties. He also operates a custom farming business. Mr. Little serves on the board for the Lavaca Exposition Association and is president of the Hallettsville Junior Livestock Show.

John Malazzo, Director

John Malazzo farms and ranches in Burleson County. He was a director of Heart of Texas Production Credit Association during its merger with Capital Farm Credit. Active in the local agricultural community, he is currently a director of Producers Co-op Association; the Texas Cotton Growers Cooperative Association - Taylor Compress; the Post Oak Savannah Underground Water Conservation District; and the Farm Service Agency, USDA Burleson County Committee.

Larry McBee, Director
Mr. McBee is the managing partner in a family ranching operation in Val Verde, Kinney and Edwards counties and has been involved in agriculture for 35 years. He served as chairman of the board for the FLBA of Uvalde prior to the merger. Mr. McBee is serving on the NRCS board of the Devils River SWCD. Mr. McBee has also served on the Texas A&M Agriculture Development Council and as a director of the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers’ Association.

Harlan Metting, Director
Mr. Metting is a rancher from DeWitt County. He is also a member of the National Farmers Union and the Texas Farm Bureau.

Phillip Munden, Director
Mr. Munden runs a cow-calf and stocker operation in Bosque County. Mr. Munden also serves as the chairman of the Bosque Soil and Water District.

Robert B. Nunley, Jr., Director
Mr. Nunley has been a rancher in Uvalde County for 32 years. Mr. Nunley serves as a board member of the First State Bank of Uvalde, Sabinal ISD and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.

Gary L. Palousek, Director
Mr. Palousek is a self-employed farmer in Willacy County and has been raising cotton, milo and sugarcane for 32 years. Mr. Palousek also serves as a board member of the Willacy Co-op, Willacy County Livestock Show, Willacy County Drainage District No. 2 and is a county committee member of the USDA/Farm Service Agency.

Danny Parker, Vice Chairman
Mr. Parker has farmed and ranched for 27 years in Uvalde and Zavala counties. He is currently serving on the Wintergarden Co-op Gin Board of Directors, is a member of the Uvalde County Extension Program Council and is a member of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and the Texas Cattle Feeders Association. Mr. Parker is also a director of the Gulf Compress in Corpus Christi and director of the Uvalde County Farmer’s Co-op.

Ann H. Patrie, Director
Ms. Patrie serves as president/CEO of Shoe Box Tax Company, P.C., CFO of Janie Oil company, and associate producer with Ponderous Film Productions. She is also President of Patrie and Patrie Company, engaged in real estate and oil production.

John Perryman, Director
Mr. Perryman is a farmer in Bell and McLennan counties, whose operation consists mostly of corn and cotton. He also operates a custom cotton harvest business.

Jack A. Quirey, Director
Mr. Quirey is a self-employed farmer and rancher from Wharton County. He was previously employed with Tennessee Gas Pipeline until his retirement in 1986. Mr. Quirey is a partner in Boettcher & Quirey, and Quirey Brothers, two family-related entities.

Carl Sample, Director
Mr. Sample is a rancher and poultry producer from Gonzales County. He also serves as a director for the Gonzales County Underground Water Conservation District.

Billy B. Savell, Director
Mr. Savell is a rancher in Crockett County. He has been ranching for 47 years. He is also a real estate broker. Mr. Savell is a member of the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers’ Association, the Sonora Downtown Lions Club and the First Baptist Church of Sonora. Mr. Savell is serving his second year of a second three-year term on the Farm Credit Bank of Texas’ District Benefits Administration Committee.

Stanley Schilling, Director
Mr. Schilling is a self-employed farmer and rancher in Live Oak County. Mr. Schilling has 25 years of experience as a sales representative for Pioneer Hi-Bred International. He is also the past president of the Texas Junior Meat Goat Show Circuit Organization, past president of the Bee County Cooperative Association in Tynan, Texas, and past president of the South Texas SWCD Association.

Roy Allen Schmidt, Director
Mr. Schmidt is a rancher with operations in Washington County. Mr. Schmidt is a retired systems technician for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company of Houston, where he was employed for 32 years. He serves as a member of the board of the Burton Independent School District and is a director of the Property Owners Association of Washington County. Mr. Schmidt has served as an auctioneer since 1988, and is a certified antique appraiser and the owner and operator of LaBahia Antiques.

Rudy Schroeder, Director
Mr. Schroeder is a farmer in Caldwell County. Mr. Schroeder serves as a director of the Caldwell County Farm Bureau and the Caldwell-Travis Soil and Water Conservation Board.

Lloyd Shoppa, Director-Elected Director
Mr. Shoppa is a businessman from Wharton, Texas. He started serving as director-elected director in February 2005. Mr. Shoppa is retired president of Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., and currently owns two John Deere dealerships in South Texas. He is former president of the Hurst-Euless-Bedford (HEB) Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce and has also served as president of the HEB School Board.

Wayne Stroud, Director
Mr. Stroud is a rancher in Wilson County. He is also a County Commissioner in Wilson County.

Robert C. Surratt, Director
Mr. Surratt farms and operates Valley Feed Mill in El Paso County. He also serves as a director of the State National Bank.

Mark W. Vanham, Director-Elected Director
Mr. Vanham has farmed and ranched in Uvalde County raising cattle, sheep and goats for 30 years. Mr. Vanham is also involved in raising deer and is a real estate broker.

Mike Vickers, Director

Dr. Vickers ranches in Brooks, Hidalgo and Jim Hogg counties and is president of Las Palmas Veterinary Hospital, Inc. in Falfurrias. He has been a rancher for 34 years and a practicing veterinarian for 32 years. He works with youth in both the FFA and 4-H programs. Vickers is a commissioner with the Texas Animal Health Commission and a consultant to the Texas Beef Quality Producers. He is a member of the American and Texas Veterinary Medical associations.

Gene Walker, Director
Mr. Walker grew up in the ranching business and has ranching operations in Webb, Zapata, Jeff Davis, Culberson and Presidio counties. He also has various other business interests in Laredo and is an honorary director of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.

Ed Walker, Director
Mr. Walker is a lifetime resident of the Wintergarden area and serves as general manager of Wintergarden Groundwater Conservation District as well as general manager of Southwest Texas Rain Enhancement Association. Mr. Walker is also a member of Dimmit County Farm Bureau, Carrizo Springs Noon Lions Club and is the treasurer of Dimmit County Jr. Livestock Association.

Wayne Wilson, Director
Mr. Wilson operates a diversified stocker operation in Brazos and Robertson counties. Mr. Wilson also owns and operates Wilson Insurance Agency. He serves as a director of the Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District and a director for the Brazos G Regional Water Planning Group. He also has served as secretary of the Brazos County Youth Commercial Heifer Show, president of Brazos County Farm Bureau, chairman of the Brazos County Beef and Forage Committee, and treasurer of the Brazos County Extension Executive Board. He is a member of Crossroads Community Church.

Lowell Woodward, Director
Mr. Woodward conducts ranching operations in Pecos and Crockett counties. He serves as a director of Rio Grande Electric Co-op, director and committeeman of Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association and director of the Region F Water Planning Group. Mr. Woodward holds an associate’s degree in ranch management from Texas Christian University.

Credit Office Presidents

Bill Baker, President
Bill Baker began his employment with the former FLBA of Edna in 1987. Mr. Baker is president of the Edna and El Campo credit offices.

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Matthew C. Bathe, President
Matthew C. Bathe began his employment with the former FLBA of Bryan in 1982. Mr. Bathe is president of the Bryan, Conroe, Livingston, Madisonville and Crockett credit offices.

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Ricky Brown, President
Ricky Brown began his employment with the Farm Credit system in 1975. Mr. Brown was employed with the former FLBA of Dayton and is president of the Dayton and Sugar Land credit offices.

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Roger Gaskamp, President
Roger Gaskamp began his employment with the FLBA of South Texas at Kenedy in 1981. He is the president of the Kenedy, Laredo, Edinburg and Robstown offices.

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Allen Hornung, President
Allen Hornung is president of the San Antonio, Hondo, Uvalde, Jourdanton and Devine offices.

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Thomas Kolwes, President
Thomas E. Kolwes began his employment with Capital Farm Credit in 1980. Mr. Kolwes is president of the Bellville, Katy and LaGrange credit offices.

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Darrel Long, President
Darrel Long has over 26 years of experience in the Farm Credit System. He is president of the Waco, Temple, Taylor, Marlin, Gatesville and Clifton credit offices.

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Mark Rutledge, President
Mark Rutledge became president of the Austin, New Braunfels and Lockhart offices on January 1, 2004. He began his employment with Capital Farm Credit in 1989. Mr. Rutledge also runs a small cattle operation in Hays and Zavala counties.

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Jay Stewart, President
Jay Stewart is president of the Alpine, Mason, Kerrville and Sonora credit offices. He began his employment with the Association in 2001 as a vice president in the Mason credit office. Prior to his employment with the Association, Mr. Stewart was an examiner with the Farm Credit Administration and a manager of an agricultural supply business.

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