A local perspective for growing Agribusinesses

Jayde Ketring

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Jayde is a graduate of Southern Wells Junior-Senior High School and Purdue University. She earned her degree in Agribusiness Management before starting her career in seed sales. Jayde decided to move into ag banking because it combines three of her favorite things: personal relationships, community involvement, and working with numbers. Her skills and experience lend tremendous value to the farmers and businesses in and around the Wells County area.

Jayde’s community and industry involvement began early. From a very young age, she helped with the family farm and became actively involved with 4H and FFA. She has livestock experience and has participated in collegiate-level internships where she learned the equipment side of farming. Jayde enjoys speaking with farmers and she appreciates the ever-changing landscape of agribusiness.

Jayde’s early background in farming, academic knowledge of the industry, and genuine awareness of her customers’ needs combine to make her a top-notch agribusiness banker. Her work ethic and passion for agriculture are evident as she works hard to earn the trust of each one of her clients.

Rick Gentis

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Rick is a graduate of Southern Wells High School and continued his education at Purdue University where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in General Agriculture. Rick is a board member with the Wells County Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Wells County Foundation and Bluffton Rotary.

Rick was raised on a grain and livestock farm in southern Wells County and spent twenty years operating his own farm. He entered the field of agribusiness in 1993 after discovering in college that he had a passion for ag economics and farm management. Rick enjoys working locally because it gives him the opportunity to interact directly with farmers and small businesses. He is also impressed by the high level of teamwork at First Bank of Berne, and is happy to work with so many people who were raised on farms and have a natural disposition toward hard work.

Over the past decade, Rick has observed an increase in the use of technology in farming. He expects this trend to continue and predicts a related increase in the overall efficiency and productivity of farms. Rick is happy to be part of a team that is committed to advancing the field of agriculture. Rick shared that, “All First Bank of Berne staff, from the front line teller to the bank President and Board of Directors, are closely connected to the ag community.”

Rick joined the First Bank of Berne team in 2014.

Angela Paxson

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Angela Paxson has more than a decade of experience in agribusiness. Her experience, education, and commitment to the agricultural community make Angela a valuable member of the First Bank of Berne team. She is a graduate of Jay County High School and Indiana Wesleyan University, where she studied business administration. Angela is an active member of her hometown community, serving as Vice President of the Jay County Farm Bureau Incorporated Board, member of the Jay County Purdue Extension Board, and 4-H volunteer.

Angela is a seasoned advocate of the agricultural industry. She continuously researches government legislation and regulatory proposals and travels to the Indiana Statehouse to voice and monitor issues that could affect regional agribusiness. When the Statehouse is not in session, Angela continues her commitment to furthering the interests of the ag industry at the county government level.

Angela chose a career in agricultural lending to realize her passion for helping others achieve their dreams, and has spent the past twelve years working in agribusiness. Angela is a whiz at math and loves spending time outdoors and on farm operations. Time spent on local farms and with the clients she serves has helped Angela become a trusted expert in her field.

Angela is a lifelong learner and doesn’t shy away from an opportunity to build on her lending skills. She has her finger on the pulse of the local farming community and appreciates the ups and downs of the industry. As market conditions change, she’s ready to adapt. Angela takes pride in serving First Bank of Berne’s agribusiness customers and helping them succeed.

Dan Buuck

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Dan attended Bellmont High School before earning a Bachelor’s of Science in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University. His agribanking career spans a decade and he is involved with the Decatur Rotary Club and Zion-Friedheim Lutheran Church. Dan is a former board member with Lutheran Life Villages.

Dan chose a career in agribusiness so he could stay connected to the farming life in which he grew up. Dan raised hogs as a youth while working on the family farm and continues to stay active in grain farming. Dan loves getting to know his customers and watching them succeed. He appreciates the depth of knowledge that First Bank of Berne offers to the surrounding agricultural industry and expects the use of technology in agribusiness to increase in the coming years.

Dan has been part of the First Bank of Berne team since 2009.

Lisa Gilbert

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Lisa attended Huntington North High School and Purdue University. She is a member of Markle Church of Christ. She is happy to work at a lending institution that recognizes the importance of agriculture within the communities it serves.

Lisa’s connection to the agricultural industry is lifelong. She grew up on a dairy farm near Roanoke, Indiana and has worked in agribusiness for ten years. Lisa enjoys being involved in her community, working with great people, and is happy to be part of such an important industry.

Lisa joined the First Bank of Berne team in 2016.

Lori Liechty

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Lori grew up on a small family farm just south of Berne.  Shortly after graduating from South Adams High School, she was offered a job at First Bank of Berne and has built a career here for over thirty-five years.

Lori has learned to know many of First Bank of Berne’s customers and enjoys working with them.  She has served in various departments during her time here and is happy to now be a part of the agribusiness team, sharing of her knowledge and commitment with her peers.  Lori feels that the bank’s officers and lenders understand the value of agriculture within the communities they serve.

Lori served as the Treasurer of the Project Share Board and has been involved in various positions at her church, First Missionary in Berne. 

Lori made the switch to agribusiness in 2015.

Nathan Liechty

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Nathan grew up on a 3200-acre grain farm in Adams, Jay, and Wells Counties. He is a fifth-generation farmer. Nathan was home schooled and later attended Indiana Wesleyan University where he earned a degree in business. He also studied at the Midwest School of Ag Banking.

Nathan has worked in the banking industry for 9 years, and 7 of those are in agribusiness. Nathan is passionate about banking as well as farming and is happy to have found a way to merge the two careers. He is actively involved in his community. Nathan serves on the Leadership Committee of the Foods Resource Bank, Adams County Growing Project. In addition, he is the Adams County Representative & Treasurer for PCARET, and is the past President of the Adams County Extension Board.

Nathan was born into farm life. As he would say, farming is in his blood and “is not just an occupation, it’s a way of life.” Nathan has ridden tractors and combines since he was born and driving them since he could reach the pedals. He is a 10-year 4-H member and has engaged in various projects including livestock. He loves America’s heartland for its small-town values and he feels that the staff and leadership at First Bank of Berne understand those values. Nathan views the highlights of his career as helping beginning farmers and helping generational farmers bring their children into the business.

Nathan has been part of the First Bank of Berne team since 2015.

Tim Tobias

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Tim attended Huntington North High School and later graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics. He grew up in Warren, Indiana on a small grain farm and has spent the past three decades working in agribusiness. Tim has always liked numbers, and working in agribusiness allows him to stay close to his roots in farming.

Tim is involved in the local community, serving on the Adams Central School Board and the Adams Central Scholarship Foundation Board. He is also the past treasurer for the Adams County Fair Board, having served with that organization for 10 years. Tim appreciates the family atmosphere at First Bank of Berne and enjoys working with the customers, some of which have become friends and neighbors.

Customers are #1 at First Bank of Berne. Tim is proud to be part of a team that understands this value. He is committed to doing what’s right for the customer while staying on top of the changing trends in agribusiness. Tim works hard to maintain the high level of subject knowledge needed to understand risk and the cyclical nature of agribusiness. He want to ensure that his customers are ready when an opportunity presents itself.

Tim has been part of the First Bank of Berne team since 1994.

Dustin Arnold

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Dustin Arnold is a graduate of Community Christian High School in Connersville, IN, and holds a Bachelor of Animal Sciences Degree from the College of Agriculture at Purdue University. He grew up in both Wells and Adams Counties, where he developed a lifelong love and respect for farming and the agriculture industry, while helping his grandfather and dad on the family farm, which he now operates with his brother. Dustin enjoys all aspects of ag banking, but finds particular fulfillment in helping fellow farmers and agribusiness owners achieve growth and profitability goals.

Friendly and outgoing, Dustin chose a career in ag banking because he enjoys building relationships with the customers he serves and learning about all aspects of their business. His exceptional listening skills and commitment to staying on top of the latest developments in the ag industry are helpful to customers. Dustin is particularly interested in ways that advanced technology can help farmers improve production, efficiency and yields.

A community leader, who is committed to advocating for area farmers and ag businesses, Dustin currently serves as the Vice President of the Wells County Soil and Water Conservation District. In this volunteer role, he assists local landowners and users by providing technical, financial, and educational knowledge and services that empower Wells County citizens to conserve soil, water, and related natural resources.

Prior to joining First Bank of Berne, Dustin worked for Loren’s Body Shop, where he developed a deep appreciation for the mechanics, maintenance and repair of vehicles, a subject that gives him an equal appreciation for the mechanisms of farm equipment. When he is not helping ag customers minimize risks and maximize successes, he enjoys growing a variety of crops on the family farm, and attending football and basketball games with his wife, April, and their four children.