I’m excited to lead COUNTRY Financial, building on the vital work we already do and continuing to meet our clients’ needs in a rapidly changing world. How do you create lasting change? As CEO, I recognize that a great company starts with great people. When everyone knows their contributions matter, they share the kind of new thinking and ideas that make a difference, for our teams and our clients. My role is to both challenge—and encourage—the 5,000-plus team members across our organization working every day to meet the financial security needs of nearly one million households. We’re all better able to serve those clients when we focus on: • Cost-effective practices• Clear communication• Smart risk-taking• Relentless innovation• Resilience in the face of tough challenges My connection to COUNTRY Financial started early. I grew up on a family farm outside of Bloomington, Illinois where my grandparents and parents were loyal COUNTRY clients. l made the leap from small town to college, playing Division I basketball in Indiana, and then moved South for law school and later to be a partner in a New Orleans law firm. I returned home to eventually become general counsel for COUNTRY Financial and the Illinois Agricultural Association. Along the way, I learned that an openness to new people and new experiences always creates valuable pathways to new relationships and innovation. I’ve also found that when you work with people with different needs from your own, you become broader in your thinking. That’s why my work with the Special Olympics has been so rewarding. Art is another passion that extends my point of view. I am inspired by an artist's ability to put themselves out there while being so open to input and critique. Specialties include: transformational leadership | strategic planning | organizational vision