Senior Leadership

Mr. Hudnutt joined American AgCredit as Chief Executive Officer in October of 2020. He previously led the Rural division for Rabobank, North America. Mr. Hudnutt has over 18 years of agricultural banking experience and has served in a variety of leadership roles including operations, business development, underwriting, and risk management.

Mr. Somerhalder was promoted to Chief Operating Officer on March 1, 2014. He previously served as Chief Corporate Strategist since 2013. He has over 35 years experience with Farm Credit in many areas of banking, including lending, credit, risk, and strategy. Mr. Somerhalder serves as a director of Farm Credit System Associations Captive Insurance Company.

Ms. Angress was promoted to General Counsel in September, 2013. She previously served as Deputy General Counsel from 2012. Prior to joining American AgCredit, Ms. Angress spent 18 years in private practice with a focus on civil and bankruptcy litigation and general legal representation for many local financial institutions.

Mr. Banks has served as Chief Credit Officer since January 1, 2017. He most recently (since March 2013) served as Senior Vice President for American AgCredit, leading the Association’s Credit Management Department. He has over 28 years of service to the Farm Credit System, primarily focused in various lending and credit functions.

Mr. Hollis joined American AgCredit as Chief People Experience Officer in March of 2021. He brings over 25 years of executive leadership in the agricultural industry. Most recently, Mr. Hollis served as a member of the Executive Team for The Maschhoffs, the fifth largest pork production company in the U.S., leading the people strategies, environmental and sustainability initiatives, and generational transfer programs. Prior to that, Mr. Hollis led Rabobank’s people strategies.

Ms. Hudson serves as the Chief Audit Officer overseeing the Association’s governance of risk management and control. Ms. Hudson, who has worked in accounting, internal and external audit, and risk roles for more than 27 years, works to provide insight, risk management, and compliance counsel to the Association.

Ms. Kolell currently serves as the Chief Brand Officer, leading the Communications, Legislative Affairs, Marketing, and Storytelling functions that connect American AgCredit and our employees with our customers and communities. Prior to joining AAC, she led marketing, communications, and sustainability for Rabo AgriFinance. Ms. Kolell has more than 20 years of experience in journalism, public relations, integrated marketing, and corporate communications.

Mr. O’Day assumed the role of Chief Lending Officer in September 2021. He previously served as Chief Banking Officer for corporate banking. Agribusiness lending and Capital Markets operate under the Corporate Banking umbrella. Prior to assuming the position of Chief Banking Officer, Mr. O’Day served as Senior Vice President–Capital Markets. For the past 26 years, his focus has been in the areas of corporate finance and loan syndications, and he has a total of 37 years of Farm Credit service.

Ms. Olufs currently serves as the Chief Customer Officer where she leads the centers of excellence for customer experience, product development and product delivery, uniting the Association around a common vision and strategy for customer experience from the customer’s perspective.  Prior to her current position she served as the Chief Innovation Officer since 2016. She has over 34 years of Farm Credit experience.

Mr. Person currently serves as the Chief Risk Officer and previously served as the Chief Audit Executive since 2017. He previously served as the Director of Operational Audit & Risk. Prior to joining the Association, Mr. Person served as Association’s Engagement Manager for its Risk Consulting Services and several other Farm Credit System Institutions through Crowe, a national Public Accounting firm. Mr. Person is a Certified Internal Auditor and Certified Information Systems Auditor with over 20 years of audit experience within the diversified financial services industry.

Mr. Rose has served as Chief Strategy Officer since 2021 and previously served as Executive Vice President – Chief Risk Officer since 2013 and Senior Vice President–Risk Management since 2012. He has held risk and financial management roles for the past 29 years in the Farm Credit System.

Mr. Scherler assumed the role of Chief Alliance Officer in September 2021 and is charged with leading the alliance and partnership efforts. Prior to his current role, he served as Chief Lending Officer since joining American AgCredit in 2017. Before joining American Ag Credit Mr. Scherler served in a variety of roles for CoBank and as Interim President & CEO of Farm Credit of Southwest Kansas from October 2015 – March 2016; Mr. Scherler has a total of 25 years of banking experience, 22 of which have been in the Farm Credit System, with experience in the areas of relationship management, credit, and strategy.

Mr. Van Schuyver assumed the role of Chief Banking Officer in September 2021. Before assuming his current role, Mr. Van Schuyver held positions as the Senior Vice President – Corporate Banking and as Senior Vice President–Western District. He has over 34 years of service to the Farm Credit System, primarily focused on corporate finance, loan syndications, and agribusiness lending.