Every new job comes with some learning curves, and GreenStone’s President and CEO, Travis Jones, has taken the challenge head-on. Jones was appointed CEO last summer and took the reins of GreenStone in August after serving as Chief Financial Officer for 15 years. Now, one year into the top job, Jones is reflecting on all that he has learned and is looking forward to in the future.
Q: What has been your favorite memory so far as President and CEO?
The last year has gone very fast and I can’t think of just a single favorite memory. GreenStone is doing very well, and I get to brag about our successes which makes my job easy. I have been lucky enough to visit a large number of customers on their farms and at their businesses, which I really enjoy. Very few CEOs get to visit such a diverse range of customers. I have visited cash grain farmers, apple growers, pork producers, dairy farmers, and sugar beet, blueberry and potato growers to name a few. Everyone’s operations are different, yet everyone is working hard not only to support their families but to also provide food, fuel and fiber to the world.
Q: What has been your biggest challenge as CEO?
Probably the biggest challenge we face is trying to always do the right thing for our members and our employees. With 28,000 customers and more than 600 employees, we don’t “bat a thousand” every time, but we never stop trying. We strive to have very satisfied, engaged employees and hope that turns into very satisfied customers. We have been pretty good at striking the right balance in the past, and it’s imperative that GreenStone continues to strike the right balance in the future.
Q: Do you still turn to former CEO Dave Armstrong for advice?
Dave and I have breakfast once a month. My wife Sue and I have probably had dinner with Dave and his wife Debbie three times in the last year. I can ask Dave anything. He was the best boss in the world and now he is the best unpaid consultant in the world. Actually, I cover breakfast, so his advice isn’t totally free, but close! When he was at GreenStone or just during breakfast this past year, I have always tried to soak up his knowledge and advice. I listen to everything he has to say except for when he starts talking about Spartan football or basketball. When a game against Michigan is coming up for instance, he will always say he doesn’t expect much from Michigan State. However, if the Spartans win, it’s very hard to put up with the gloating.
Q: You said last year that GreenStone is where you want to spend the remainder of your career. Does that still ring true?
Absolutely! This is just a really special place; I knew it when I interviewed here 16 years ago for the Chief Financial Officer position and I still believe it today. You can’t find another organization like Farm Credit. GreenStone is a $14 billion financial institution, yet we are a cooperative. We are owned by our members. Fourteen of our 16 board members are members. Our employees understand why we are here. Our mission is to “Promote the business success of our customers and the rural community by being the best at providing credit and financial services.” My teammates follow our mission every day, and we have the greatest member base in the country. Why would I want to work anywhere else?
Q: What are you looking forward to most in the future at GreenStone?
GreenStone has such a strong staff. I am spoiled as a CEO to have such great teammates. Some have a ton of experience, and some are strong, young leaders. GreenStone will be very successful in the future because of the bench strength of our staff, at every level.
To view the article in the online 2023 Fall Partners Magazine, click here.
