Farm Credit Illinois
Michael Gunderson is an experienced professional in agricultural finance and management, currently serving as the Chief Credit Officer at Farm Credit Illinois since November 2022. In this role, Michael leads a team of credit analysts, focusing on credit risk management and strategic initiatives. Prior to this position, Michael held several key roles including Director at MetLife Investment Management, where leadership was provided to analyze the agricultural industry, and Director at Purdue University Center for Food and Agricultural Business, overseeing executive education and research. Michael's academic career includes professorships at Purdue University and the University of Florida, with a solid educational background comprising a Ph.D. and M.S. in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University and Cornell University, respectively, along with a BS in Agribusiness from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Farm Credit Illinois
Farm Credit Illinois is a farmer owned and directed agricultural lending cooperative serving 10,000 farm families, agribusinesses, and rural landowners in the southern 60 counties of Illinois with competitive and flexible financing and crop insurance expertise. The Association manages a $5 billion loan portfolio, sells 1.2 million acres of crop insurance coverage, and employs 240 staff based in the Mahomet central office and 14 regional office locations. The Association delivered additional cooperative value by returning $20 million of cash patronage to member-owners in 2019. The U.S. Farm Credit System supports rural communities, farm families, and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services today and tomorrow.