Farmers National Company would like to announce the addition of two regional vice presidents.
Grant Fitzgerald has been promoted from within the company from his previous position as vice president of Farm and Ranch Management (FARM) operations based out of the Omaha headquarters to regional vice president of farm and ranch management. Mike Janssen has been hired as regional vice president of farm and ranch management. He worked previously as a district manager for Iowa with Syngenta Seed.
These two leadership roles will lead, manage and inspire Farmers National Company’s team of area vice presidents, area sales managers, farm managers, appraisers and area staff.
“These new roles will work directly with area teams to set the culture, direct and implement business plan objectives, drive growth and provide top-notch service to clients through a commitment of excellence at the highest ethical standard,” said Ken Schmitt, senior vice president of farm and ranch management. “I am excited for the extra value that our regional vice presidents will bring to the farm management team at Farmers National Company by assisting in the execution of our business strategy, driving accountability through training, performance management, goal setting and to drive future growth of our farm and ranch management business.”
Fitzgerald has served as vice president of FARM operations for the past 1.5 years where he directed the leadership of and support of the client relations manager, customers service team, FARM operations team and insurance business line. Prior to that, Fitzgerald worked as assistant vice president and area manager of FARM, and as a farm manager and associate real estate broker out of the Fremont, Neb., office.
He has been with Farmers National Company since 2013. Fitzgerald earned his bachelor of science and business administration/ag business degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He lives just outside of Omaha with his wife and two children.
“I am thrilled to team up with clients and staff across multiple regions and business areas to ensure we are providing the best landowner services possible,” Fitzgerald said.
Janssen has been with Syngenta since 2008. Before becoming district manager with the company, he worked in sales and was a technical service agronomist. Janssen also worked as seed lead and precision ag specialist from 1998 to 2005 with Aspinwall Co-op. He has a master’s of science degree in agronomy from Iowa State University. Janssen resides in Carroll with his wife and children.
“I am passionate about bringing solutions to clients to achieve their goals by enabling the people and expertise found with the Farmers National Company,” Janssen said.
Six elite undergraduates awarded Henry C. Gardiner Scholarships
Henry C. Gardiner scholarships have been awarded to elite undergraduates since 2012. This year, 33 applicants competed for six scholarships. The applicants represent diverse interests throughout animal science and industry, production agriculture and the beef industry.
The applicants are academically elite undergraduates enrolled at K-State planning to continue careers in agriculture. In addition to written applications, applicants compete in an intense, in-person interview with a panel of K-State faculty and industry leaders. Academic excellence, work ethic, community service, written and verbal communication skills and future goals are considered.
The 2024-2025 Henry C. Gardiner Scholars are Lauren Thompson, Woodville, Wis.; Grace Fike, Westmoreland, Kan.; Preston Dunn, Saint John, Kan.; August Hulse, Culver, Kan.; Katrina Turner, Derby, Kan.; and Kiley Andersen, Sebastopol, Calif.
When asked to comment on the Henry C. Gardiner scholarship process, Mark Gardiner said, “The entire agriculture spectrum has evolved from ‘Mom and Pop’ operations passed down from one generation to the next, to complex systems that require fiscal and financial aptitude, and communication skills combined with the capacity to make science based, informed decisions to be sustainable. It is extremely gratifying to interact with every scholarship applicant each year and quickly recognize the power and presence these students possess to make a generational impact on our industry. Henry Gardiner’s passion for learning is well documented. He would be elated at the curiosity, academic achievements, and enthusiasm exhibited by today’s scholarship recipients.”
The Henry C. Gardiner Scholarship is made possible through the generous contributions of Gardiner customers, friends and family continuing the legacy of Henry Gardiner. To date,
54 undergraduate students have received $250,500 in scholarships.
Gardiner Angus Ranch is a family-owned ranching operation that produces registered and commercial Angus cattle. The original ranch was homesteaded near Ashland, Kan., in 1885 by Henry Gardiner’s grandfather. Today, the ranch encompasses more than 48,000 acres. The Gardiner operation sells approximately 2,500 bulls and 2,000 registered and commercial females each year. One hundred percent of the sale offering each year is the result of artificial insemination or embryo transfer.
Gardiner Angus Ranch is a founding member of U.S. Premium Beef, the producer-owned limited liability corporation with minority ownership in National Beef, the nation’s fourth largest beef processing company. By providing access to a proven, value-added processing system through GAR delivery rights, Gardiner Angus Ranch customers have received more than $14.25 million in premiums and dividends.
More information can be found at www.gardinerangus.com.