Association Spotlight on Frank Gray, Jr. Vice President of Agribusiness Financial Services Tempe, Ariz. Office

This is the first of a series of articles highlighting Farm Credit Services Southwest staff.

Farm Credit associations across the country have one thing in common with all customers who farm: We are proud of “growing our own.” No, we’re not talking about fruits or vegetables or grains ... we’re talking about our people.

The fact is, many of the senior professionals here at Farm Credit Services Southwest started out in entry-level positions as long as 10 or 20 years ago.

Take Frank Gray, Jr., for example. Frank arrived at Farm Credit Services Southwest almost directly out of Arizona State University in 1974 after one year of working on the family farm. He started his FCSSW career as a loan officer, where he served Farm Credit customers for 18 busy years. For about six years after that, he worked as an appraiser, and today Frank is the Vice President of Financial Services in our Tempe office.

Range of expertise

Frank brings a broad range of agricultural business expertise to the table, including that of a financial services analyst, a crop insurance expert and a leasing services specialist.

Frank also likes to emphasize the agricultural focus of Farm Credit services. He uses leasing as an example. “Our leasing program is designed specifically for agriculture, and it offers tax advantages that owning doesn’t.

Plus, our vehicle leasing program offers fleet buying power for our customers, which means we can offer pricing way below dealer invoice costs. “Plus we can provide leases for darn near any piece of equipment you need to keep an operation up and running, from tractors and parlor equipment to irrigation systems and pole barns. Customers enjoy leasing with us because our rates are competitive, and our terms are more flexible than what you find with dealers.”

Still farming, still growing

Frank still maintains an active interest in farming — “hobby farming,” as he calls it. He and his dad own side-byside farms on 20 acres in Higley, Ariz., where they restore antique tractors in addition to tending 15 acres of alfalfa.

Whether it’s finding new ways to meet customer needs, nurturing this year’s alfalfa crop or enhancing his refurbishing skills on an old John Deere, Frank Gray is still “growing” in more ways than one!

Need a financial services package? Crop insurance? A lease? Call Frank Gray at 800.822.3276 today!

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