Q&A with CEO Brandon Haberer

Brandon is no stranger to cooperative structure and Farm Credit of Western Arkansas’ culture. He’s been with Farm Credit since 2008 and has seen the association through its highs and lows. So, what’s next for Farm Credit? Brandon shares his vision and goals as the new President and CEO, why cooperatives are important and how his family has supported him as he’s moved into his new role.

The Haberers – Lauren, Brandon, Kara and Caroline pose withtheir family dogs Oliver and Heidi on their family’s land.

Lindsey Holtzclaw | Farm Credit of Western Arkansas

What type of leadership style do you follow?

The leadership style I feel best explains me is often called “servant-style” or “participative” leadership. It’s a leadership style that invokes innovation and welcomes open communication and feedback. Early on in my career, the first bank president I worked for modeled these leadership characteristics. He gave me challenging responsibilities that I’ve carried throughout my career. I strive to do the same thing – encourage and empower others to do their job.

What do you hope to accomplish in your first year as CEO?

Within these first few months, I’ve made it a goal to visit each of our 23 branch offices in person. I want the employees to know they can reach out and share ideas, thoughts or concerns with me at any time. My other primary goal this year is to fix our technology growing pains. We have new software that could be doing more for us. I’m working with our senior management team to provide employees with needed training and the tools and resources we need to be efficient.

What do you value most about Farm Credit of Western Arkansas’ culture?

I value our “put others before yourself” mentality. Whether it’s in regards to membership, another employee or a different department, employees at all levels are willing to stop what they’re doing to help others. You often hear the phrase Farm Credit family. Family culture is evident when it comes to big life events. Whether it’s a wedding or a funeral, our staff turns out in masses to support each other.

Heidi runs alongside the Haberer family as they ride across an open field. Heidi often joins Brandon on pheasant and quail hunts.

Lindsey Holtzclaw | Farm Credit of Western Arkansas

Why do you think cooperatives are important?

Cooperatives have a unique business model where the members, directors and employees all align for the same mission and goals. It’s not focused on how much revenue you can generate like you see in corporations. Instead, it’s truly service oriented. As a cooperative, we’re focused on how to better serve our members and our communities. When you put that first, you’re guaranteed to succeed. 100+ years of the Farm Credit System has proven that.

Where do you see Farm Credit in the next 10 years?

I think as Farm Credit continues to grow, we’ll continue to capture a lot of synergies, especially when it comes to technology. I see a future with innovation where a customer can complete a loan application, sign documents and have funds deposited in their account without ever leaving home. At the same time, we’ll continue serving with our brick and mortar locations. Western Arkansas is very diverse and unique, so in order to remain in tune with our members’ needs, it’s important that we have a strong presence in our communities. I think the future will see us continue to grow and find new ways to best serve our members.

You sit on several different boards. What have you learned from that work that you bring to Farm Credit now?

I’ve served as a director for the Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative, Adult Development Center and Watalula Water Users Association boards. The electric coop specifically has given me the opportunity to wear a different hat as a director and former chairman. When I’m in a Farm Credit board meeting now, I can relate differently to what the directors here need and expect. Whether it’s a rural utility or Farm Credit, the same seven cooperative principles are at the heart of both.

In his spare time, Brandon enjoys cultivating grapes, a long time tradition in his family.

Lindsey Holtzclaw | Farm Credit of Western Arkansas

What drew you to Farm Credit originally?

When I came to Farm Credit in 2008, we were in the middle of one of the worst economic downturns since the 1980s. I previously worked at a bank on the commercial lending side and during that time our hands were tied because business was driven by profit and returns. The bank was distancing itself from agriculture, but that wasn’t the case at Farm Credit. I was truly able to see how Farm Credit is there for members during both good economic times and bad. That cemented my decision to work for Farm Credit.

In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge farmers and ranchers face today? How is Farm Credit helping provide a solution?

I see global markets and trade as the biggest challenge, which can be both a blessing and a curse. It’s a blessing because it opens new markets and opportunities for agriculture, but it also presents a risk where markets can be cut off at any time. They’re difficult to predict and there’s typically not a lot a local farmer can do because of decisions being made on a geopolitical level. Farm Credit advocates on behalf of farmers by lobbying on local, state and federal levels. Once a year, Farm Credit associations from across the U.S. join together in Washington, D.C. to impact legislation in favor of agriculture. On a more local level, the Arkansas Farm Credit associations have a statewide lobbyist who brings attention to, and fights for, issues that are impacting our state’s farmers and ranchers.

Brandon and Kara Haberer

Lindsey Holtzclaw | Farm Credit of Western Arkansas

How has your family supported you in your new role and increased responsibilities?

This change has been ironic timing for our family. My oldest daughter, Lauren, is in college and my youngest daughter, Caroline, is a senior in high school. It’s been the perfect timing for an opportunity like this to happen. If our daughters were younger, it would have been a hard decision to make. During the interview and selection process, my wife Kara hit the ground running by singlehandedly coordinating home renovations, organizing storm damage clean-up and vehicle shopping for our youngest as she gets ready to go to college. She handled projects from start to finish that were outside her comfort zone in order to support me as we prepared for this new chapter of my career.