In this behind the scenes, three GreenStone employees share how their role allows them to support rural communities and agriculture.
Anthony Pegley
Senior Financial Services Officer, Saginaw, MI
6 years of service
Describe how your role carries out the GreenStone mission of supporting rural communities and agriculture.
We offer some unique products that other institutions don’t, such as DIY home construction financing, contractor construction loans, and vacant land financing for up to 30 years. I think there is a lot of demand for these types of financing and it’s great to work for a company that can fill these needs.
What do you enjoy about your role?
The most enjoyable part about my job at GreenStone is getting to interact with so many people with various backgrounds and goals. Everyone is different and it’s always fun and interesting to understand people’s personal goals and then to watch them accomplish them.
What changes have been incorporated in your role to meet evolving customer needs?
Since COVID, people seem to be more comfortable communicating and working electronically. Utilizing secure messaging and our online loan request system has allowed us to better fit customer schedules. They are able to use these features at their own convenience and has also has increased our turnaround time in some areas. I see this as being a big benefit for everyone going forward.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I enjoy hunting, fishing, and woodworking in my free time. My wife and I have 4 and 6 year old boys that keep us very busy as well!
Joel Arends
Financial Services Officer, Grand Rapids, MI
7 months of service
Describe how your role carries out the GreenStone mission of supporting rural communities and agriculture.
My role as a Traditional Financial Services Officer gives me the opportunity to form and build relationships directly with members. Our members are unique and deserve to have a tailored approach when analyzing their business and credit position. Everyday I strive to make GreenStone’s financial services available to all of rural West Michigan.
What do you enjoy about your role?
Agricultural businesses are extremely unique. From apples to zucchini our members have very different business plans that make their profession successful. Discovering the details behind what it takes to get products to market and all the service industries that support them, give me a lot of confidence in the American food system. I am truly grateful to all the hard-working men and women putting food on our tables.
What changes have been incorporated in your role to meet evolving customer needs?
In just the half year I’ve been with GreenStone I have noticed customers continuing to evolve and embrace technology. Using online or digital platforms for communication or electronic signature platforms are something we do more of every day. At the same time, face to face customer interaction is still second to none. Making farm visits is an important part of the job.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my free time, I love spending time with family and friends. My wife Elena and three young children are a tremendous blessing to me. Experiencing the beautiful outdoors of Michigan through hiking, biking, kayaking and snowmobiling are some of my favorite past times.
Phil Preston
Senior Crop Insurance Specialist,
Grand Rapids, MI
5 years of service
Describe how your role carries out the GreenStone mission of supporting rural communities and agriculture.
Farms are the backbone of our rural communities: raising families, providing jobs, and participating in community. Crop Insurance delivers the financial resiliency they need support the next generation (and often the previous generation), to provide jobs and income for our communities to thrive. I take pride in being a part of the resiliency of our communities.
What do you enjoy about your role?
The pride our farmers have for their business goes deeper then most jobs. I get to stand alongside their passion and do what ever I can to help give that passion the resiliency to survive. It’s hard not to be grateful to a community that puts its trust in you to protect their dream.
What changes have been incorporated in your role to meet evolving customer needs?
The faith a farmer sews into the ground every year is only matched by their determination to see that faith result in a harvest. Their crop is special and specific. That crop needs a knowledge and a wisdom inherently specific to its success… By segmenting our teams into specialists focused on specific crops, we’ve been able to deliver an expertise that honors that need for specific care. Rather than our crop insurance specialists being spread thin over multiple crops and industries, our specialists stay attuned to the evolving risks and needs of our farmers.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
My faith, family, and community get most of my time. I’m grateful just to play a part in their lives. I also enjoy keeping honeybees, doing some gardening, and gathering with friends and family.
To view the article in the online 2023 Fall Partners Magazine, click here.
