2022 Director Election Results Announced
STATESVILLE, NC – Carolina Farm Credit completed the 2022 director election online and by mail on October 10th. The members elected to serve on the Board of Directors are David M. Coltrane (5-year term), D. Kaleb Rathbone (5-year term), and Vickie N. Smitherman (5-year term).
David M. Coltrane, of Randolph County, is a dairy farmer and raises replacement heifers. He serves as Vice-President of Coltrane Dairy, LLC and Coltrane Properties, LLC, and President of Grand Arbour Farm. He also serves on the Southern States Cooperative Board. He is a graduate of North Carolina State University with an Associate in Applied Science – Dairy Husbandry.
D. Kaleb Rathbone, of Haywood County, is a beef cattle and hay farmer. He is Assistant Commissioner of the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. He serves on the Haywood County Cattlemen’s Association Board, Haywood Community College Board of Trustees as Vice-Chair, and WNC Communities Board. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Science in Soil Science and the University of Tennessee, Martin with a Master of Science in Agriculture and Natural Resources Management.
Vickie N. Smitherman, of Yadkin County, is a dairy farmer. She serves on the Board of Shady Grove Dairy, Inc. as Secretary/Treasurer. She is a graduate of Gardner-Webb University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
The following stockholders were elected to serve on the 2023 Nominating Committee:
Region 1 – Donald R. Smart, Haywood Co. (Winner)
Karyn S. Woody, Clay Co. (Alternate)
Region 2 – Vance C. Proctor, III, Catawba Co. (Winner)
Earl L. Deal, III, Alleghany Co. (Alternate)
Region 3 – Derek L. Smith, Yadkin Co. (Winner)
Charles Justin Miller, Davie Co. (Alternate)
Region 4 – David F. Correll, Rowan Co. (Winner)
Charles R. Thomas, Davidson Co. (Alternate)
Region 5 – J. Brent Scarlett, DVM, Randolph Co. (Winner)
Andrew G. Medlin, Union Co. (Alternate)
Region 6 – Sam I. Kiser, Jr., Alamance Co. (Winner)
Tina T. Gross, Lee Co. (Alternate)
In early November, the Board will hold an organizational meeting to appoint committee members and elect the Chair and Vice-Chair.
Carolina Farm Credit is a stockholder-owned cooperative that provides financing to full and part-time farmers, agricultural-related businesses, and for the construction and purchase of homes in 54 counties through 29 branch offices. Appraisal and Leasing services are also available.
For over 100 years, Farm Credit has been supporting rural communities and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services.
Carolina Farm Credit serves over 12,000 members with outstanding loans totaling more than $1.9 billion. The cooperative’s territory covers the western half of North Carolina, with branch offices located in Albemarle, Asheboro, Asheville, Browns Summit, Burnsville, Carthage, Conover, Ellerbe, Graham, Hendersonville, Jefferson, Lenoir, Lexington, Lincolnton, Monroe, Murphy, Pilot Mountain, Roxboro, Rural Hall, Salisbury, Shelby, Siler City, Sparta, Spindale, Statesville, Taylorsville, Wilkesboro, Yadkinville, and Yanceyville.
Directors for Carolina Farm Credit are Vickie N. Smitherman, Chair, East Bend; D. Kaleb Rathbone, Vice-Chair, Waynesville; John M. Barnard, Statesville; E. Bernard Beck, Seagrove; W. Rex Bell, Statesville; Mark A. Bray, Lawsonville; Andrew W. Burleson, New London; David M. Coltrane, Pleasant Garden; Dan A. Hunsucker, Conover; Joseph A. Lail, Shelby; J. Eric McPherson, Snow Camp; Clark M. Newlin, Haw River; Leslie G. Sparks, DVM, Sparta; L. Kim Starnes, Salisbury; Dr. Alton Thompson, Summerfield.