Growing Together is a blog series featuring people that have recently joined Peoples Company and their motivation to team up with a national leader in agriculture real estate services to pair experience with data driven decision making and deliver value to landowners. If you would like to learn more about partnering with or joining Peoples Company, please reach out to Molly Zaver, Director of Industry Partnerships, at Molly@PeoplesCompany.com.
I was born and raised in east central Illinois on a grain and Aberdeen angus farm. I was very active in 4-H and FFA. I graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Education and wanted to teach high school vocational agriculture. There weren’t any jobs available at the time, but there was an opening at The First National Bank of Peoria, Illinois. The bank was adding a third farm manager position in the trust department. I got the job, primarily because of my extensive background in FFA. I worked my way up and became head of the trust agricultural services. I was then recruited to join the trust investment service at ‘then called’ Continental Illinois National Bank and Trust Company in Chicago as head of nationwide farm management services. After that, I moved on to accept a job at Northern Trust Bank as head of agricultural management services. Prudential Financial Services purchased this entity and renamed it Capital Agricultural Property Services (CAPS). Within two years, I was promoted to President. I had the opportunity to establish and hire highly knowledgeable staff for CAPS with offices in Chicago, IL, Champaign, IL, Memphis, TN, Greenville, MS, Fresno, CA, Orlando, FL, Kennewick, WA, and Boise, ID. At one time, we managed over 600,000 acres nationally and brokered 50,000 - 75,000 acres annually. After twenty years I was offered a retirement package and I took it. Soon thereafter, I formed my own agricultural services company and named it Land Pro LLC. After all these years, I finally worked for myself.
As an active member and leader in both the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers and the REALTORS Land Institute, I was always interested in getting to know new members that were just getting into the business. I was advised by a very close friend of mine who belonged to both organizations that I should go over to Des Moines and attend an agricultural investment seminar organized by a young fellow named Steve Bruere. So, I journeyed over to Des Moines where I believe Steve was holding his second Land Expo seminar. I would guess there were maybe 150 people in attendance. I briefly met Steve and could readily see he was highly motivated to succeed. I have attended most Land Expo seminars since then, and over the years got to know Steve and watch him grow Peoples Company. I must admit that when I first met Steve I thought ‘let’s see where this young buck takes this venture.’ I also got to know Molly Zaver well before she joined Peoples Company, when she was actively involved administratively with the Iowa Chapters of American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers as well as the REALTORS Land Institute.
When I came to the conclusion that it was time to determine what to do with Land Pro LLC, because my wife reminded me, “you are not getting any younger,” I took a look at most of the good companies doing management and brokerage business. After all these years, I knew them all and these companies have good people, but it was obvious to me that Peoples Company was not just doing business in the present, but well into the future. I also have a great amount of respect for Molly Zaver. I know she did not join Steve and Peoples Company without a lot of thought and consideration. Jason Lestina and I were invited in August of 2024 to attend the Peoples Company Annual Meeting. Senior staff made great presentations, but the most compelling reason I began to lean toward selling my company to Peoples Company was the almost electric enthusiasm of all those in attendance. It was a culture I had not seen for years. A culture I promoted when I was president of CAPS. I thought “this a good fit for Jason and Sandy, as well as for me in my remaining days. I called my good friend Dave Englund and asked for his opinion. He and I both shared some equal experience in the past as presidents of very large national companies. He was very supportive of me, and highly suggested negotiations begin for the sale of Land Pro LLC to Peoples Company. Dave opened the door and transitioned the sale process and negotiations to Molly Zaver. Effective January 1, 2025, Land Po LLC was sold to Peoples Company.
Transitioning from a small boutique company has been a challenging task, which I must admit has incurred some days of heightened anxiety for me, Jason and Sandy in adapting to a heightened level of technology, which we know will be for the better interests of our clients. Hats off to all the Peoples Company staff for being so patient with us and cooperative.
Over the years, Jason Lestina and I have developed some excellent contacts who have needs for appraisals, land management, and brokerage. As part of Peoples Company, they can receive any or all of those services almost anywhere in the United States, whereas with Land Pro LLC, we could only legally do business in Illinois and Indiana and are not licensed appraisers. Peoples Company is truly a one stop shop.
Peoples Company has developed a culture of collaboration and trust. We all have an opportunity to become acquainted at company meetings, holiday parties, and company trips, all of which foster professional relationships and discussion opportunities regarding collaborative opportunities.
For those who might consider joining Peoples Company, speak to any one of us who have made the move to become a part of the fastest growing company in the agricultural real estate business in the United States.
Reach out to Ray Brownfield at 331.999.3490, or email him at Ray.Brownfield@PeoplesCompany.com.
