Pause for Applause

I’ve treated the business as I would my own...

Centric Technology Collaboration GreenStone leads among nine Farm Credit associations, facilitated the strength of industry alignment through Ag Leaders of Michigan, and has touched numerous industry organizations in Michigan, Wisconsin, and across the country. Over the decades, Dave’s depth of knowledge, moral compass, inclusive approach, and unwavering commitment to the agricultural and financial industries has benefited each of us.

The Future

The Board and leadership team has a long history of succession planning allowing the cooperative to be well positioned for this transition. The national search firm Kincannon & Reed has been retained by the Board to conduct a national search for the individual best suited to lead GreenStone’s future success.

AT THE CORE OF DAVE ARMSTRONG

What stands out to you from your 13 years as CEO?

The professionalism, competency, and passion for the agricultural industry of GreenStone’s team members. They never cease to amaze me in what they won’t do for our members day in and day out.

Most notable accomplishment?

Marrying my wife, Debbie, of 36 years! Also, the birth of our daughter, Lindsey who is now 30 years old.

Favorite moment?

The day our last PPP loan from 2021 was forgiven! Going from 0 to 100 mph with a program that changed, at times by the hour, and successfully processing nearly 5000 loans for about $230 million all on a remote platform was one of the most inspirational moments of my career.

What are the guiding principles you follow?

Keep God at the center of your life. He’s the only thing that never changes. Do what you say you are going to do, when you say you are going to do it. And, “no one cares how much you know UNTIL they know how much you care.”

Advice for others?

Be kind to others, give grace (NONE of us are perfect), work hard, and don’t ever be afraid to hire people a LOT smarter than you!

Retirement goals?

Travel with my wife, Debbie. Spend time with our daughter and son-in-law, Lindsey and Zach. And hopefully develop some new hobbies besides working at GreenStone. ■

Pause for Applause...

Congratulations to Tubergen Dairy Farm who recently won the 2022 Dairy Farm of the Year Award. Since 1958, MSU has awarded the Dairy Farmer of the Year award to farmers who exhibit outstanding management of their dairy farm business and leadership in the Michigan dairy industry or their community. Michigan State University selected the Tuberon Dairy Farm out of over a thousand other farms for their work to minimize their farm’s footprint and decades of hard work.

SERVICE ANNIVERSARIES

Help GreenStone congratulate and thank these staff who are celebrating an employment milestone. From five to 40, the years represent the dedication and service all employees provide our members.

April

Jared Jaymes 5 Jarod Kent 5 Devon Feldpausch 5 Ashlee Guerrero 10 Heidi Lyons 10 Amanda Arnold 10 Carrie Demko 15 Nicole Ladd 15 Amy Trepkowski 20 Mary Fields 25

May

Richard Dubke 5 Michael Forst 5 Andrew Warner 10 Jacob McManus 10 Hilary Sawmiller 10 Melissa Rogers 15 Curt Flammini 15

June

Allison Pung 5 Teresa Van Cuick 5 Tyler Elliott 5 Elizabeth Waldschmidt 5 Barb Dinsmore 15 Ben Spitzley 20 Steve Eshelman 40