Faith, Family, Farm Credit, (and Fun). These are the values Vance Dalton, president and CEO of AgSouth Farm Credit, has promoted throughout his successful 32-year career.
Vance grew up on a small apple and beef cattle farm in Hendersonville, North Carolina. He holds a B.S. in Animal Science with a minor in Ag Business Management from NC State University. Before starting his Farm Credit career in 1993, Vance worked for the NC State University Extension as an Area Livestock Agent for four years. Vance and his wife Lori of 33 years have two sons and two granddaughters. Together, they enjoy spending Saturday mornings eating pancakes at a local café with their granddaughters and are proudly active in their local church community.
As Vance gets ready to trade meetings for memories and hand over the reins to the next CEO, he reflects on the journey of leadership, the impact of legacy, and the bright future ahead for AgSouth.
What has your career looked like these last 32 years?
V – My Farm Credit career started in 1993 as a loan officer in Statesville, North Carolina for Piedmont Farm Credit. Shortly after, I became a branch manager and held various leadership roles ever since. I was selected to lead the Association as its CEO in 2014 and continued in that role through the merger with AgSouth in 2023. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunities I was given to learn and progress in my career.
You’re a humble man so this question might be uncomfortable for you. Why do you think you were able to progress over the years ultimately landing you the CEO position?
V – (Laughs) Well, sometimes it was situational. Sometimes it was timing. I think I was first noticed for the hard work. My parents instilled in me a great work ethic. I also think some of it was relationship building. I built relationships with the leaders of the Association, and they noticed my hard work. Those relationships enabled me to fill those different roles.
What unique aspects about our culture make this an appealing opportunity for a new leader?
V – I think the culture of a healthy and appropriate balance of our four Fs will be appealing to the new CEO. That is - Faith, Family, Farm Credit, and Fun. That may not sound all that unique to a lot of folks, but it certainly has been a successful culture for us.
Let’s talk leadership philosophy. How would you describe yours and how did it shape the culture of AgSouth?
V - My leadership philosophy is a focus on people. I believe that if you get the right people with the right fit for your organization in place, and then you take care of them, you will see your financial goals achieved and see your business grow. People who feel trusted, empowered, and genuinely cared for will naturally have a desire to be successful. Our financial results over the past 12 years are proof that this philosophy can be successful.
Looking back at your 12 years as a CEO, what achievements are you the most proud of?
V – I’m the most proud of the growth of our employees, both professionally and personally. Their growth and the support of our Board of Directors to encourage that growth has really fueled our business and our success. We’ve seen many grow into leadership roles both at AgSouth and even at other Farm Credit Associations. Many of our employees are leaders in their communities. They’re leaders in statewide commodity and trade organizations. Leadership to me equals influence. We have grown our influence across Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina to truly make a difference in the agriculture industry. That, I think, is our greatest achievement.
In what ways has the executive team contributed to your success as a CEO, and why will this be valuable to your successor?
V – My success can only be measured by the great leaders that are on our team. We have a rockstar executive team. Not only are they great leaders of the Association but many of them have leadership roles in the AgFirst district and the nationwide Farm Credit system. They bring a wealth of experience and provide diverse perspectives that allow for great decisions to be made.
Why do you think now is an exciting time for a new CEO to step into this role?
V – We just celebrated our second-year anniversary of the merger of AgSouth and Carolina Farm Credit. Processes and procedures have come together and we are working as one team. It’s a great time to build on that success and synergy.
What opportunities and challenges do you foresee for your successor and AgSouth over the next five years? What impact do you believe the next CEO can make in the ag industry?
V – Well, AgSouth is the largest ag lending cooperative in the southeast United States. It is the 14th largest Farm Credit Association in the nation. AgSouth is well positioned to continue to grow its business and its leaders. As the overall ag economy experiences challenges in the current cycle, the new CEO will have the opportunity to demonstrate AgSouth’s commitment to our farmers, our ranchers, and our rural communities - to be there in good times and in the bad. Our footprint and portfolio diversity provide stability in volatile times and that strength provides an opportunity for the new CEO to lead the team to truly live out the mission of Farm Credit.
As you retire, what legacy do you hope you’ve left behind?
V – Well, this one is hard for me. I struggle to know how to answer this because, you know, it’s not about me. But I hope that I leave a legacy of the importance of growing leaders and building relationships. I have poured my career into helping others become leaders, which includes not only our employees and colleagues, but also leaders within the agriculture community. We need strong leaders to tell the great story of agriculture. I also think my personal success and AgSouth’s success can be directly related to the relationships built with our customers first, and then with other leaders and organizations in our footprint. I think building these relationships has a mutual benefit to the greater good.
So, what’s next for you? What are you looking forward to doing the most?
V – I’m probably looking forward to having some more time with my family, my two little granddaughters, and my wife. Lori and I look forward to some travel that doesn’t include work meetings. And to spend time with my mom. But I’m not done being productive. This decision came after much consultation with our Lord, and I think He has something in mind for me to do. I don’t know what that is yet exactly, but I trust that it will be there. Also, more time at church. I really enjoy my church and I’m looking forward to some more time there as well.
Looking for our next CEO
AgSouth Farm Credit is a nearly $5 billion asset financial agriculture cooperative and part of the nation-wide Farm Credit system. AgSouth provides loans for land, equipment, and production agriculture; crop insurance; leasing; and home mortgages. The Association serves counties in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina and is headquartered in Statesville, North Carolina.
To apply to be AgSouth’s next CEO, please click here. The final date for application is May 15th, 2025.
AgSouth is an equal housing lender and an equal opportunity provider.
