Across the Fence
October 2013
Welcome!
Hello and welcome back to our employee news letter! We listened to your feedback from last time and we're glad you enjoy the new format. We brought back Retirement articles for the wonderful team members who will be leaving us and even added a brand NEW section: Fun Facts (Thanks to Georgia Hemperly for the idea)!
News Around Town
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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT:
New Employees
Pam Bromley
Edited by Muriel Palanca
Pam (not Pamela- that means she’s in trouble!) Bromley is a Mortgage Specialist for the Salisbury Maryland office. She will be processing home loan mortgages for our MAFC mortgage loan originators - both purchases and refinances to include conventional, high balance, VA, FHA, Rural Housing, and also some specialty loan programs offered by MAFC such as loan programs fitted to the Amish community and our Rural Hobby Farm loans.
She attended a local community college, and then began working full time in branch banking, transferred into the consumer lending department for several years, then onto the mortgage division where she has worked ever since. She has been in the mortgage business for 20+ years now and has seen many changes; some good, some bad.
As for working at MAFC, she says “I am happy to be here at MAFC and am looking forward to completing my training with Shannon, and successfully processing many mortgage loan files for the originators.”
She likes to bake little decorated cakes for her grandkids and if she forgets, they always remind her by saying, “Why you not have cake today ?!”. She enjoys fishing and crabbing from her dock, which was rebuilt after hurricane Katrina. She lives with her husband of 29 years and has a great step daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren, ages 6 and 3 who she loves spending time with.
She is a true homebody who tries to find a little humor in everyday life. She lives by the phrase, “Think happy, be happy!”
Jennifer Boduch
By Jennifer Boduch
I am a Marketing Specialist located in the Westminster, MD branch office, where I will be handling marketing tasks for the MidMaryland and Valley regions. I will also be working on our quarterly publication, the Leader.
I graduated from Penn State University (WE ARE!) in 2008 with my Bachelor’s in Communications-Public Relations/Advertising and a minor in Sociology. In the past, I’ve worked as a Public Relations Coordinator for a small chain of retail lingerie and apparel stores, Marketing Director for ABnote North America, and most recently a Project Manager/Copywriter for Sire Advertising (a small marketing/advertising firm).
A professional goal would be to help MAFC continue on their successful path! I hope to lend new and creative ideas and enhance my skill set, while being exposed to new opportunities.
I am engaged and will be getting married this coming October (the 19th)! My fiancé’s name is Adam and we met while at Penn State. I have a younger sister, Kerry, who graduated with her doctorate in Physical Therapy this past May from University of Miami. She, too, did her undergrad at PSU! She is currently living in Orlando. My parents live outside of Philly-my dad works at Lowe’s and my mom is a preschool teacher.
In my free time, I love college football (obviously a HUGE Nittany Lion fan), traveling (I’m always planning my next escape), reading, playing tennis/working out, shopping, and spending time with my family and friends. A fun fact about me…not too many people know this, but I played the flute for 5 years. I’ve also never had my ears pierced and can’t snap my fingers (true story). I wish I stuck with Spanish during college and I lived in Texas for 8 years.
Garcia Tate
Edited by Muriel Palanca
Garcia Mills Tate is a Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Training and will be located in the lender’s Westminster, Maryland office. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Management Science and Information Systems from University of South Carolina, her Master’s Degree in Technology Management from Mercer University, and an Education Doctorate from Argosy University.
She has worked in a variety of industries, most recently as Manager of Organizational Development and Change Management with BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. Formerly a professor at Strayer University, Webster University, and the University of South Carolina, Tate was recognized as the Harvey Varney Teacher of the Year and by the USC Alumni Association as Outstanding Instructor.
“MidAtlantic’s mission is customer focused,” she says. “Similarly, human capital management and development is customer focused. At the end of the day, it’s all about the people.”
Her goal is for Human Resources & Training to be viewed as a support entity within MACF in which every employee receives individualized, timely, quality customer service.
MidAtlantic Farm Credit CEO, Bob Frazee says, “We believe she will lend a fresh perspective on our company’s current training and procedures, which aim to provide our employees with the necessary tools they need to succeed and grow with our company.”
She has been married to her husband, Alexander Tate for 24 years and has two children: Sidney and Alexander. Hey hobbies include the law, John Gresham Novels, action movies, and interior decorating.
Luke Nyman
Edited by Muriel Palanca
Luke Nyman is joining MAFC as a Credit Analyst Trainee in the Salisbury office.
He is originally from Howard, PA. He earned a BS in Accounting from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania (Lock Haven, PA) in 2012 and an MBA from Clarion University of Pennsylvania (Clarion, PA) in May, 2013.
He says, “At MAFC I hope to combine my passion for agriculture with my business education, and enjoy a successful and fulfilling career.”
When he’s not working, he enjoys playing sports like softball and spending time in the outdoors. He is a big fan of the Penn State Football and Wrestling teams. He grew up on a family dairy farm in central Pennsylvania where he would wake up early and interact with the animals. He was also involved in his local 4H raising market goats.
He currently resides in Pittsville, MD with his girlfriend Amanda Reese.
Laura Coffey **
Laura Coffey is a Mortgage Specialist for the Woodstock office. She’s worked as a teller for DuPont Community Credit Union and as a mortgage processor. She lives in Shenandoah Valley with her 3 ½ year old son, Grady and fiancé, Justin. In her free time, she enjoys bowling, golfing, corn hole, WVU & Redskins Football.
“A ship in harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for”
She can’t make it through the day without a Monster Energy Drink!
Sandy Green
Edited by Muriel Palanca
Sandy Green is a Credit Analyst in the Salisbury office. She has a B.S. degree in Accounting and an MBA both from Salisbury University along with her CPA license. She worked at Wor-Wic Community College as the Assistant Director of Accounting for 16 years prior to coming to MAFC. Prior to that, she worked in Public Accounting for about 7 years.
She lives in Vienna, MD and I am married and have 2 boys, ages 6 and 9. She enjoys family activities like swimming and the beach, especially with her boys. She also lives near the winery (Layton’s Chance) where she enjoys a fine glass of wine every once in a while.
She says, “My goals in life are to just enjoy life and I am committed to being the best role model that I can for my kids.”
A personal quote she lives by would be “Just try to stay calm and not sweat the small things in life.” She is a very hyper person so sometimes that is difficult. She tries to look at the big picture and not let the small things get to her.
“I hope to build a long career at MAFC and once I don’t feel as overwhelmed by all there is to learn,” she says, “I plan on becoming an asset to MAFC.”
Allison Ferraro
Edited by Muriel Palanca
Allison Ferraro is an Information Technology Intern, in Salisbury. She supports the staff with technical assistance and assists the IT department with various projects.
She says, “My goals in life involve growing with a company where I can continue to learn, take on additional responsibilities, and contribute as much value as I can. My goals at MAFC are to build a broad knowledge and to get a feel of where I want to take my major and what I want to do with it.”
Her dad was a Marine for 20 years, retired in ’09 and currently works for NSA and her sister is now a freshman at Towson University. Her mom just recently got married last year so now she has a step Dad, younger step sister and brother. Her family is very small and all live in Erie, PA.
In her free time, she enjoys watching sports like baseball and football (Go Redskins!). She enjoys reading and is VP of Membership of her sorority, Delta Gamma.
A quote she lives by is “What’s a life without dedication?” She is also a Christmas baby and can sing the alphabet backwards!
Monica Brittingham
Edited by Muriel Palanca
Monica Brittingham is a Customer Service Specialist in Salisbury, MD office. She has previously worked at Partners 1st Federal Credit Union in Salisbury, MD as an Assistant Branch Manager.
She is Originally from Crisfield, MD, graduated from Crisfield High School in 2002, currently living in Salisbury, MD. She lives with her boyfriend of 10 years. They met in the same small town she grew up in. She has an adorable cat names Princess.
Her dad works in construction and her mom is a homemaker. Her younger sister is 11 years her junior, but even though they are far apart in age, they are still very close.
During her free time, she enjoys playing tennis, gardening, and spending time at the beach. She also enjoys baking and decorating. She likes to decorate and eat more than bake. Her specialties are cupcakes and cupcake minis Yum!
She loves to watch pretty much all reality TV shows. Maybe we’ll see her on one someday!
Robin Williams
Edited by Muriel Palanca
Robin Williams is a Customer Service Specialist at Lancaster. Some of her responsibilities are answering the phones, sorting the mail and reviewing daily reports.
Every day, she learns something new. Like today, she told me she learned how make additions to the Penn region intranet page and the daily borrowing page. She was very excited to be offered a position at Farm Credit and enjoys the challenge of what feels like “learning a new language”.
Previously she was the Office Administrator for the Food Service Dept. at the Double Tree by Hilton at Willow Valley for 20 years. And as delicious as Double Tree cookies are, she says got tired of them real quick.
She has been married for 31 years. They raised three boys and now have five granddaughters including a set of twins! Surprisingly, she says “Raising three boys was easy compared to five granddaughters!”
“My husband and son are members of an Irish Pub band called “Boys from Innisfree” so I enjoy watching their performances, going to Celtic festivals, traveling to historic sites, and spending time as much time as possible with my family.”
Some of her recent travels include the Washington Zoo, the aquarium at Inner Harbor , Arlington National Cemetary and Gettysburg. She likes to read Danielle Steel books, listen to oldies music and dog sits for friends. She enjoys cooking and on her son’s first Thanksgiving in the Marine Corps he brought home 11 other marines for Thanksgiving dinner.
A personal quote that she lives by is that when something happens I always remember that “When one door closes another door opens.” Farm Credit is glad you walked into our door!
Julie Shearer
Edited by Muriel Palanca
Julie Shearer is a Customer Service Specialist in the Lancaster office, helping customers by answering phones, greeting those that walk in, proof reading and scanning of documents, auditing notes, updating insurance forms for members, etc. So far she says, “I like working here. It’s a great office community with great people to work with.”
After high school she applied to work with a program called Youth With A Mission (YWAM). After 3 months of training she then went to Cambodia and Thailand for 3 months working with the natives and children where she taught English, MS Office and personal hygiene, among other things. Once she returned home she became a Licensed Massage Therapist.
She then again chose to go back into YWAM for nine more months. She has her own massage business called Key to Relaxation. Since she was fifteen, she worked at John Hess Auction Service starting as a runner and working her way through the company being able to fill any position or job that needed to be accomplished. She’s been in charge of setting up all the sales, clerking for the auction, and also their social media.
Her goal I life is to make a difference by helping people. She says, “I love being with people and helping them out any way that I can.”
She recently got married, March 24, 2012, to a local farmer, Mike Shearer, and they live in Marietta. He works on the family farm with his dad so they are very close to the farm. She grew up in Manheim and her dad, Curt, is a salesman for Messicks Farm Equip. Her mom, Bev, is a secretary for a local electric company. She has two brothers: One older, John, who is married and lives in Mechanicsburg and younger brother, Jeremy, who is in college for an Agriculture Business degree.
During her free time, she enjoys taking pictures, reading, and traveling. She loves learning new things, seeing new things and expanding her horizon. She has been to eleven different countries.
Meaghan Malinowski
Edited by Muriel Palanca
Meaghan Malinowski is a Marketing Intern in the Salisbury Office. She will be working to help plan events, update social media platforms, write articles for the internal newsletter and blogs, research industry information and assist with the development of presentation materials.
She is currently a senior at Salisbury University working on a Bachelor of Arts in public relations with a dual minor in marketing management and psychology. Most of her employment background includes the food industry and retail but she also worked for a short period of time, assisting the startup of a cupcake business with her brother and sister-in-law.
Her school related goal is to graduate with a 3.5 or above (currently at a 3.447). Her other goals include finding a job that she enjoys after graduation and eventually saving enough to purchase her own house. She says, “Working at MAFC I’d like to build a solid foundation of experience to expand my career but also to perform to the best of my abilities to help our MAFC team succeed.”
Her permanent address is in Bel Air, Maryland, living with her mother, father, younger sister and two adorable dachshund dogs. She has an older brother who also works in the loan industry at Wells Fargo and a handsome 4-year-old nephew that she loves babysitting. She also has a ferret named Little Bear and he’s just over a year old.
Some of her hobbies include photography, reading and anything outdoors (rock climbing, kayaking, etc.) She also plans on starting a personal blog that focuses on having an optimistic point of view and how to find the good in everything.
She believes everything happens for a reason. “I originally didn’t plan on applying for an internship this semester with my heavy workload,” she says, “but working at MAFC wasn’t an experience I was willing to pass up. I believe that I ended up here for a reason and I plan on carrying out my duties to the best of my ability and making the most of my time here!”
Retiring
Corner Updates
Strategic Action Council Corner
Human Resources Corner
Marketing Corner
IT Corner
Strategic Action Council Term Wrap-Up
Spot Awards
Anniversaries
5 Years: Amanda Ramer
10 Years: Melissa Sipe, Kim Fisher, Ken Ryan, Kathy Coburn, Chris Aukamp
15 Years: Bill Rutter, Jeff McKay
20 Years: Ruth Boden, Tom Truitt
25 Years: Susie Puffenburger
35 Years: Tom Gilbert, Sue Glacken
Fun Facts
- Onions contain a mild antibiotic that fights infections, soothes burns, tames bee stings and relieves the itch of athletes foot.
(From www.agday.org)
Classifieds
For Sale: Bedroom Suite - $300
Single loft bed with mattress, two bookcases and one three-drawer dresser. Contact Francy Bailey (Lancaster) for more info.
For Sale: Graco Quattro Tour Travel System - $125
One-hand , gravity fold stroller, “SnugRide” infant car seat and 2 stay-in-car adjustable seat bases. Stroller holds a child up to 50 lbs. Very lightly used. Retail value $290. Selling for $125. Contact Alison Gordon (Lancaster) for more info.
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