LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Tom Schlenker, executive vice president of Farm Credit Services of Mid-America, retired Feb. 15 after 33 years of service.
Background
Schlenker joined the agriculture lending cooperative in 1978. He is widely credited for organizing and leading the organization’s Relationship Management Philosophy program and providing leadership in the launching new products including the Agnition dealer credit program and crop insurance.
Also under his leadership, Schlenker supervised the overall support of a very diverse agriculture market, from agribusiness, to the full- and part-time farmer markets, to rural residents.
Schlenker became the executive vice president after holding a number of positions within the organization including branch manager, vice president of credit, regional vice president and senior vice president.
Awards
He has been recognized for his involvement in agriculture including receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award from The Ohio State University for his leadership achievements at Farm Credit. He was recently awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from Farm Credit, the first such award presented to a staff member in the 25 years since the association was formed.
Schlenker was born and raised in Wapakoneta, Ohio and received his bachelors degree in agriculture economics and masters degree in agriculture economics and marketing from The Ohio State University. Prior to joining Farm Credit, Schlenker worked in the cooperative extension in Celina, Ohio. He was also a commodities broker for Clayton Brokerage out of St. Louis.
Plans
Today, Schlenker plans to spend time with family, hone his skill in woodworking, as well as fish and travel. He is married to Pat Kahlig Schlenker and has six children and eight grandchildren. He currently serves as chairman of the Ohio Agriculture Council and will continue to be active on the Animals for Life Foundation.
