After a nationwide search, GreenStone Farm Credit Services’ Board of Directors has named Travis Jones as its next President and Chief Executive Officer. Jones, who currently serves as the cooperative’s Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, will assume the chief leadership role on August 1, 2022 following Dave Armstrong’s retirement. In this new role, Jones will build upon the strong foundation Armstrong established in his 14 years as CEO of the association.
GreenStone Farm Credit Services understands agricultural finance in ways unmatched by any other financial entities. With Jones’ nearly 15-year history with GreenStone, he’s dedicated to supporting the rural and agricultural communities in Michigan and northeast Wisconsin – regardless of market or industry fluctuations – with a primary mission to help them grow, thrive and succeed.
“We unanimously believe Travis Jones is the right person to drive GreenStone’s mission and values forward to best serve our members,” said Board Chairman Ed Reed. “His deep understanding of our Core Four Values is shown through his dedication to always put the customer first, deliver quality over quantity, roll up his sleeves to get the work done, and most importantly, always doing the right thing.”
Jones has been chosen to succeed Dave Armstrong who, with a 41-year dedicated career serving the Farm Credit System, has led as President and CEO of GreenStone for the last 14 of those years. Armstrong will retire July 31, 2022. His inspiring leadership leaves the cooperative in strong, stable hands.
With a managed, steady approach Jones’ experience will help ensure an ongoing strong financial foundation for GreenStone customers to build and grow upon. Jones joined the GreenStone cooperative in September 2007 as CFO. Since that time, he has demonstrated his progressive strategic and operational leadership impacting long range organizational and capital planning.
Like many GreenStone team members, Jones grew up on a small farm in Chapin, Michigan and now lives in Owosso with his wife Sue, where they together raised three children, Tyler, Mackenzie and Katelyn. Travis believes it is important to make a difference in the communities where we live and serve. He leads by example, leveraging his financial expertise on the board of the Michigan Finance Authority to help provide impactful, affordable loans for cities, colleges, and public schools, plus serves on the Michigan FFA Association board providing support to the year-round agriscience curriculum and youth development activities.
“Every day is an honor to work alongside our 600+ talented and committed teammates to serve our members. We’ve built an inclusive, customer first culture under Dave’s leadership and I’m truly humbled with the opportunity to continue that focus as the next CEO of GreenStone and build upon the successes Dave established,” said Travis Jones. “With our shared strategic vision for the cooperative, I look forward to paving the path forward to continued success and prosperity for our team and customers.”
Jones will assume the role of President and CEO on August 1, 2022.
