PROFILE

Matt Adams is an integral part of the growth at Peoples Company, a nationally recognized land company and advisory firm offering services throughout the United States, by utilizing and improving the platform for the company’s core businesses of appraisal, land & farm management, an award-winning auction division, and industry leading brokerage business.  Soon after graduating from the University of Northern Iowa, Matt joined Peoples Company’s brokerage team where his primary focus is to facilitate land transactions and land investment by representing landowners to assist in the acquisition or disposition of farm and land assets through traditional listings and a variety of land auction formats. 

Matt has embraced the collaborative culture of the company and serves as a mentor to his co-workers by training several of the real estate agents within the company.  He’s been recognized as a top producer by Peoples Company and the brokerage industry with individual sales for the five most recent years of over 39,100 acres and a market value of $280 million dollars.  Matt is well-versed in the complex structure of transactions including but not limited to 1031 Tax Deferred Exchanges, Seller Financing Land Contracts, Rights of First Refusals, Purchase Options, Tenant in Common Agreements, land owned by corporations, and properties with multiple owners.

Matt grew up in the small West Central Iowa town of Breda where he spent many summers bailing hay and tending to livestock for nearby farmers.  He currently lives in the Des Moines Metro with his wife, Rochelle, and their dog, Bandit. 

EDUCATION

University of Northern Iowa, Bachelor of Arts - College of Business (Finance and Real Estate), 2009, Cedar Falls, Iowa

AFFILIATIONS
Peoples Company Shareholder
Peoples Company Board Member (2013 - 2016 & 2018 - 2020)
Peoples Company “A” Player Award - 2020
Peoples Company Top Producer Award - 2016 & 2021
Realtors Land Institute APEX Top 20 Nationally - 2020 & 2021
Realtors Land Institute APEX Producer Award (2017, 2019, 2020, 2021)
Des Moines Area Association of Realtors Circle of Excellence Volume Award - (2013 - 2019)
Realtors Land Institute - Past President
Des Moines Area Association of Realtors (DMAAR)
Iowa Association of Realtors - Member
Iowa Auctioneers Association - Member

PUBLICATIONS
A Case for Land Contracts
Land Values:  Trending Up
Auction vs Listing:  How should I sell my farm?
Crop Insurance affecting Cash Rents and Land Values

Paul has a lifetime of experience in Agriculture ranging from growing hemp in Oregon to feeding cattle in Iowa to trading commodities in Chicago.  He grew up on a farm in Central Illinois where his family grew row crops and raised hogs and cattle.

Professionally, Paul’s varied experiences allow him to offer a well-rounded perspective on nearly all aspects of Agriculture.  He began his career as an Engineer then transitioned to a commodity trader with a small trading firm in Chicago.  Paul traded soybeans, soybean meal, and soybean oil daily on the CME for three years.  Having a desire to return to the rural Midwest and have more direct farm involvement, Paul eventually landed back in Iowa and started a career in the beef industry.  During his tenure as a cattle marketing rep, Paul assisted his clients in cash marketing of all classes of cattle.  He also worked closely with his clients to identify risk management solutions and provide financing for the purchase of cattle.

Since joining Peoples Company in early 2021, Paul is excited to be offering Land Management services.  He views each day as an opportunity to gain experience and expand his expertise, which directly benefits those he serves.  Paul is attentive to the goals of the landowner and then works diligently to provide sound guidance and creative solutions to meet those goals.

In college, Paul earned a degree in Agricultural Engineering from Iowa State University.  Though he ultimately decided to pursue opportunities in Engineering, the degree and experiences in engineering continues to serve Paul well.  It has trained him to be a critical thinker and given him the ability to solve complex problems.

Expertise
Mollie Aronowitz is a Land Manager with Peoples Company focusing on farm, pasture, CRP and recreation land.

Mollie joined Peoples Company in 2013 and has a Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University in Horticulture. With prior professional experience in public botanical and arboretum management in Chicago, Omaha and Northeast Iowa, Mollie’s background in plant pathology and entomology serves her well in field scouting and working with farm operators in traditional row crop farms. As the fifth generation of a nearly century old farm operation, Mollie has inherited a strong connection to Iowa’s landscape and a deep understanding of farm operators. She is adept at using her knowledge of land stewardship, best farming practices, and appreciation of family farm heritage to best serve her clients. 

Mollie is committed to implementing practical recommendations that consider each landowner’s financial and personal goals. She is able to tailor management plans and collect operator production data to increase production on the most productive acres of each farm while allowing conservation of the more sensitive parts of the farm.

Mollie is a licensed REALTOR® in Iowa and Minnesota. She is an Accredited Farm Manager (AFM) with the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers® (ASFMRA®), one of only a handful of female accredited managers in the nation.

Education
Iowa State University, Bachelor of Science College of Agriculture in Horticulture, 2006, Ames, Iowa

Land Management Experience
- Build documented history of each farm’s actual production, operator inputs, fertility, drainage, and financial performance.
- Identify baseline benchmarks on newly acquired farms and create multi-year plan where chosen tenant’s goals are aligned.
- Address erosion and drainage concerns on farms through tiling, waterways, terracing, and cover crops.
- Schedule regular soil testing to confirm annual fertilizer reporting accuracy as well as nutrient availability and opportunities in fertility prescriptions.
- Listen and facilitate both the short- and long-term landowner goals specific to each farm.
- Execute cash, crop share and custom farm leases.
- Remain in compliance with local USDA offices and seek out state and federal cost share assistance.
- Consider alternative income sources to maximize revenue on each farm.

Affiliations & Accreditations
- Licensed Real Estate Agent in Iowa and Minnesota
- American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, Accredited Farm Manager (AFM)
- American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers Iowa Chapter, Education Foundation Board Member
- Iowa Barn Foundation, Board Member

George grew up on a cotton farm in Sunflower County, Mississippi, with dreams of eventually becoming a farmer like his father and grandfather. His course changed, and he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture Economics from Mississippi State University in 1993. After graduation, George worked for Farmers National Company in Memphis, Tennessee, for nine years before co-founding Baird & Brunson Land Management Group, LLC with partner Steve Brunson in 2001.  Most recently, George founded Landmark Ag Capital LLC, located in Arlington, TN.  Holding real estate licenses in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee, George represents landowners in managing their land and the buying and selling of farmland. His wide range of clientele includes everyone from sole farm owners to large investment companies. A member of the “Million Dollar Sales Club” since 2002, George’s proudest professional accomplishment was achieved in 2006 when he was selected Farm Manager of the Year by Syngenta, Ag Professional magazine, and ASFMRA.

When he is not working, George enjoys fly fishing, hunting, and traveling with his family. He and his wife, Cari, and two sons are active Christ United Methodist Church members in Memphis.

Professional Experience:

2021-                Landmark Ag Capital L.L.C., Owner
2001-2020:      Baird & Brunson Land Management Group, LLC, Partner
1993-2001:      Farmers National Company, Senior Farm Manager

Designations:
George holds the Accredited Farm Manager (A.F.M.) designation, which is awarded by the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers to those members who have had years of experience, are technically trained, have passed a rigid examination, and subscribe to a high code of ethics.

Professional Accomplishments:
American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers:

• District II Vice President, 2008-2011
• Government Relations Co-Chair 2017-2021
• Committee, 2009-2012
• Arkansas Chapter: President 2000 & Board of Directors, 2001-2002
• National Program Planning Committee, 2000 & 2008
• National Public Relations Committee, 2005 & 2006
• Syngenta Farm Manager of the Year, 2006
• Leadership Institute: 1999, 2005, 2006 & 2016

TEPAP: The Executive Program for Agriculture Producers:

• Class of 2006 & 2007

Baird & Brunson Land Management Group, LLC: 

• Million Dollar Sales Club, 2002-2019

Farmers National Company:

• Business Development Award, 1994-2001
• Million Dollar Sales Club 1995, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001
• Wes Furrer Conservation Award, 2000

Doug Bear has been in the Land Brokerage division with Peoples Company since 2019. He is focused on land brokerage and land auctions. Doug grew up in Russell, Iowa on a small cow/calf operation and attended Iowa State University, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science (2007) and Master of Science (2011) in Animal Science. During graduate school, Doug evaluated Iowa’s water quality impairments within the Rathbun Lake watershed and researched impacts of grazing livestock, stream hydrology, and pathogen transport within surface waters.

Before coming to Peoples Company, Doug served as the Director of Industry Relations for seven years at the Iowa Beef Industry Council in Ames, Iowa. Here he was responsible for coordinating producer communication and compliance activities, strategic planning of producer investments and fiscal-year budgets and building nationally-recognized beef checkoff programs. He is an experienced team-builder and focused on achieving result-oriented outcomes.

Doug is currently licensed to sell real estate in the State of Iowa and Minnesota, primarily focusing on farmland and residential assets in and across Iowa.

Expertise
Daran is a native of Warren County, Iowa and has a diverse business and agricultural background. Growing up on the family farm in southern Warren County, he spent most of his summers fixing and selling Vermeer agriculture equipment. He attended Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa and majored in both Business Administration and Economics. Daran spent the first 18 years of his career in banking as a commercial and agricultural lender for both community banks and the Farm Credit System. He joined Peoples Company for the opportunity to become an integral part of a company with dynamic leadership and a focus on being the premier land brokerage in Iowa.

Daran lives near Indianola, Iowa with his wife Stephanie and their three children Sierra, Devin, and Selia. He currently owns and operates a small cash grain and cattle operation. He is a member of the Warren County Cattlemans Association, Milan Lodge 409, and First United Methodist Church. He is an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He also belongs to the Des Moines Area Association of REALTORS®, the Iowa Association of REALTORS®, the National Association of REALTORS® and is a licensed crop insurance agent.

His extensive contacts in the agricultural and banking industry are a great resource when listing your property for sale or building your wealth through the purchase of real estate. Daran works with all types of real estate including farmland, acreages, commercial and recreational land.

Affiliations
Iowa REALTORS® Land Institute
National REALTORS® Land Institute

Bryan grew up a few miles north of Sioux City, Iowa. He attended the University of Northern Iowa and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance. Bryan focuses on the sale and acquisition of agricultural, recreational and development land. When he is not spending time with his family, Bryan enjoys hunting and fishing. Bryan is a licensed real estate salesperson in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Brandon grew up on a century farm near Lohrville, Iowa (Calhoun County) helping with his family’s livestock and row crop operation. He earned a biology degree from Luther College in Decorah, IA. During summer breaks, he worked for a construction company building single family homes. Currently, Brandon serves as a Conservation Officer with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, assigned to Boone and Story Counties. Brandon has developed extensive connections throughout central Iowa. Through his vast network, Brandon has assisted clients with land acquisitions and sales, purchasing or selling homes, business opportunities, and habitat improvement/development.  A responsive real estate agent known for his extensive farmland, habitat, and home-building experience, he earns the respect of his clients by working tirelessly on their behalf. Brandon resides in central Story County with his wife and two children. Brandon is currently licensed to sell real estate in Iowa, with a primary focus on farmland, recreational land, and residential properties.

Crystal joined Peoples Company in 2021 as a project manager in the northeast Iowa office. She brings more than 15 year’s worth of marketing experience to her position, with a strong passion for content marketing, story telling and social media. She has always admired Peoples Company’s out of the box approach to marketing and education, and believes that the Land Investment Expo is one of the best conferences you can attend if you are looking to expand your thinking.

Also known by her online name “Crystal Cattle”, Crystal is a frequent podcast guest, speaker, and workshop facilitator. Her online presence works to connect rural and urban, and educate small business owners on how to elevate their voices.

Crystal and her husband Jon live in northeast Iowa and own and operated JJB Cattle Co. and Hundred Acre Media. She is active in her community, serving on the Heartland Acres Agribition Center board of directors, Buchanan County Women, Land and Legacy Steering Committee, and can be found volunteering at numerous chamber of commerce, 4-H and FFA events.

Gary is a native of Williamsburg, Iowa, and grew up on a livestock and grain farm which gives him years of experience and contacts in the livestock industry. Gary has great knowledge in livestock facilities construction and resale markets thru out the Midwest.

Gary lives just outside of Williamsburg with his wife Annette and has four grown children: Michael, Sarah, Molly, and Kate. Gary's wife Annette owns and operates the Woolen Needle in Williamsburg. Gary currently farms and is the Key Accounts salesperson for Integrity Builders.

Lindsey Brown has been working with the land brokerage division of Peoples Company since 2020. His primary focus is on land sales and auctions of cropland, pasture, and recreational land. Lindsey is licensed to sell real estate in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Lindsey currently lives in Wadena, Minnesota, but he grew up in Mayville, North Dakota. He attended Mayville State University, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Business (1991). He then continued his education and graduated from the North Dakota School of Banking (1993) and the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado (1995).

Upon graduation, Lindsey worked for 20 plus years as a lending officer at rural banks in Finley, ND, Winona, MN and Lewiston, MN. He was a member of 7th District Ag. Credit Companies board during that time as well. Due to these experiences and opportunities, he has multiple contacts in the banking and farming communities.

Lindsey has been a real estate agent since 2011. Before coming to Peoples Company, Lindsey worked as a land sales agent in North Dakota and Minnesota.

Lindsey is an experienced land agent who provides excellent customer service. He builds solid client relationships and focuses on result-oriented outcomes. He is knowledgeable about the market and possesses good negotiation skills. He enjoys building one-on-one customer relationships and helping buyers and sellers achieve their dreams or goals.

Steve Bruere is a nationally recognized leader in agricultural real estate and serves as the President of Peoples Company, a farmland brokerage, management, appraisal, and investment firm headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. Throughout Steve’s tenure, Peoples Company has rapidly transformed from a small-town real estate firm in central Iowa into a full-service agricultural land transaction firm serving the country’s largest landowners, with a presence in all premier agricultural regions across the U.S.

Peoples Company’s core businesses are enhanced by Steve’s innovative ventures to capitalize on the financialization of the farmland asset class. These ventures include mAgma, a digital crowdfunding farmland investment platform; PC Ag Tech, which invests in ag-based business incubators and early-stage ag technology companies; and Alternative Equity Advisors, a real asset investment firm specializing in the acquisition and management of farmland under separate account structures for institutions and high-net-worth individuals.

Steve is a prominent voice in agriculture and highly sought after by national media for his expertise. He has utilized his extensive farmland knowledge to advocate for the industry and to collaborate with other leaders in agriculture. Steve has built a reputation as a national leader in sustainable agriculture through his efforts in helping launch Leading Harvest, the first comprehensive sustainability standard for U.S. farmland. He also serves as a trustee for the Iowa Nature Conservancy and member of Governor Reynolds’ Carbon Sequestration Task Force, and previously co-chaired Iowa’s Water Future Task Force.

Seeking to connect diverse stakeholders in agriculture, Steve established the Land Investment Expo in 2008. The Expo is known by industry insiders as a ‘must-attend’, premier event that serves as a critical venue to set the tone for the industry each year. Participants are exposed to a range of professional perspectives as controversial industry topics are addressed and debated. Steve has developed a vast network and built numerous long-lasting relationships by securing five-star presenters and keynote speakers such as presidential historian Jon Meacham, Skybridge Capital founder Anthony Scaramucci, famed businesswoman Martha Stewart, entrepreneur Kevin O’Leary, pop icon and humorist Ben Stein, President Donald J. Trump, and business legend T. Boone Pickens.

Steve’s enthusiasm for farmland began as a child on his family’s farm in Warren County, Iowa. His love and insight for farmland recently inspired him to break ground on Middlebrook, Iowa’s first agrihood, with the goal of uniting agriculture and urban development. Steve and his family live near this neighborhood and remain involved with his family’s farm, where they grow corn, soybeans, and organic produce under the Middlebrook Organics and Farmer Food brands.

Curtis Buono leads agricultural real estate brokerage services for Peoples Company’s Pacific West region, which covers California, Arizona, Nevada and Hawaii.  His clients range from global institutional investors to small farmers to large multi-state agricultural enterprises. Much of Curtis’s work is focused on permanent plantings including nut crops, vineyards, citrus groves, and other tree crops, but he also has extensive experience with row and field crops, berry farms, and other agricultural asset types.

Over his career, Curtis has provided successful disposition, acquisition, and consulting services for many hundred million dollars of farm assets across major agricultural markets in the Western U.S.  Since 2002, Curtis has positioned himself as a thought-leader in the agricultural real estate sector while striving to provide the highest possible level of service and client value.  He has accrued experience throughout the United States and select global ag markets; however, his focus is on the Western United States, particularly California, where he is located.

Prior to joining Peoples Company, Curtis held national leadership roles in both the brokerage and appraisal service lines of a global real estate corporation. Curtis’s career began in valuation, where he provided appraisal, appraisal review, and appraisal process management services to an array of agricultural clients across the U.S.  In the course of his previous appraisal work he achieved the ARA designation from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA), an organization whose California Chapter Curtis proudly supports and contributes to.

Alan Busacca is known to many people around the Northwest U.S., California, and beyond as ‘Dr. Dirt’. He is a soil scientist and geologist who some years ago shifted his passion for pure research on agriculture, soil formation, and Ice Age geology toward the applied science of growing grapes for fine wine and helping others do the same.

Alan was professor of soil science, agriculture, and geology from 1982 to 2006 at Washington State University. With a growing personal and professional interest in vineyard consulting, wine grapes, and wine, Alan left WSU in 2006 to pursue a new path. Alan now lives and works in the Columbia Gorge area 70 miles east of Portland, Oregon. He co-owns Volcano Ridge Vineyard near The Dalles, Oregon and sells grapes to about 15 wineries. And he owns Heart Catcher Wines, using his estate-grown fruit to craft terroir-expressive wines.

From 2013 to mid-2014, Alan served as Director of the Center for Enology and Viticulture at Walla Walla Community College, the premier 2-year winemaking degree program in the Pacific Northwest and as General Manager of the program’s bonded winery, College Cellars.

In the consulting realm, Alan owns Vinitas Vineyard Consultants, evaluating land nationally and internationally for vineyard development, pre-purchase and pre-sale assessment of farmland, and assisting in the design of vineyards. He also serves as an expert witness across the U.S. on hydric soils for wetland litigation.

Alan now also uses his 40 years of professional experience as special advisor to Peoples Company and Agribusiness Trading Group to evaluate and market important vineyard and other agricultural lands in the Pacific Northwest.

Alan earned his Bachelor’s degree in Earth Sciences from University of California, Santa Cruz, worked for several years as a field geologist for the U.S. Geological Survey, then earned Masters and Ph.D. degrees in Soil Science from U.C. Davis. His teaching at WSU focused on processes of soil formation, soil classification and mapping, soil resources, and world agriculture.

His research areas at WSU were soil management; the formation and properties of soils of the Pacific Northwest; and how geology and soils have shaped our agriculture and our use of natural resources; the Ice-Age geology of the Pacific Northwest; study of paleosols (ancient soils now buried deep in the windblown loess deposits of the Palouse and other areas of the world) to reconstruct past climates, climate change, and ecology of the Quaternary Period (Ice Ages). While at WSU, Alan authored or co-authored about 50 refereed articles in scientific journals, 6 book chapters, 13 field trip guidebooks, 8 symposium proceedings, 12 other publications, & 80 abstracts.

Expertise
Since joining Peoples Company in 2014, Jared has made his mark as an award-winning professional auctioneer and as a licensed real estate agent in Iowa and Missouri. Whether serving as the lead auctioneer or as a professional ringman during auction day, he strives to make sure the auction process is executed in a professional manner. Jared is also an integral part of the online auction capabilities that Peoples Company can provide, either by online only auctions or a combination of live and online bidding.

In 2012, Jared attended the Reppert School of Auctioneering in Indianapolis and is very active in the National Auctioneers Association (NAA), Iowa Auctioneers Association (IAA), and the Missouri Professional Auctioneers Association (MPAA). Jared was awarded the 2014 Grand Champion Rookie Bid Caller and also the 2014 Grand Champion Ringman at the IAA annual conference. In 2016, he was elected for a three year term as a Director for the IAA. Jared has served as a state ambassador for the NAA and is also a graduate of the Professional Ringmen’s Institute (PRI). In August 2017, at the Iowa State Fair, Jared was crowned Iowa State Champion Auctioneer at the IAA Bid Calling Finals making him the first triple crown winner in the IAA annual competitions.

Through his membership in the NAA, Jared has obtained his Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI), Graduate Personal Property Appraiser (GPPA) and Benefit Auctioneer Specialist (BAS) designations. The Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI) is the most respected professional designation an auctioneer can acquire. CAI designees pride themselves on being a part of an extraordinary network of professional auctioneers who possess the knowledge and skills needed to provide their clients with outstanding services. They are committed to continuing education and are dedicated to professionalism, integrity and
excellence in the auction profession.

Growing up in Wayne County, Jared spent most of his time with his father, who owned a grading, excavating, and land improvement business serving southern Iowa and northern Missouri. When not meeting with clients, touring farm ground, or working auctions Jared can be found spending time with his wife Pam and their son Jett. They live on a small acreage just outside of Corydon, Iowa and in their free time enjoy camping with their family and friends. On Friday nights in the fall you can hear Jared announcing the home football games and other activities for the Wayne Falcons.

Affiliations
Iowa Association of REALTORS®
National Association of REALTORS®
Des Moines Area Association of REALTORS®

Memberships
Iowa Auctioneers Association (IAA)
Missouri Professional Auctioneers Association (MPAA)
National Auctioneers Association (NAA)
REALTORS® Land Institute (RLI) National Chapter & Iowa Chapter

Accreditations
REALTOR® – Peoples Company – Licensed to sell Real Estate in Iowa & Missouri
Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI)
Benefit Auction Specialist (BAS)
Graduate Personal Property Appraiser (GPPA)
Professional Ringmen’s Institute (PRI)

Member of
Corydon Chamber of Commerce
Wayne County Fair Board

Cynthia Chen is the Real Estate Coordinator for Peoples Company Pacific West Region. Her role primarily focuses on executing marketing campaigns, maintaining the CRM, managing social media and supporting the appraisal team.

Cynthia is a Texas native and graduated from Texas Christian University in 2012 with a degree in Strategic Communication. Her real estate career began when she worked as a marketing assistant for a small investment real estate services firm creating marketing materials as well as maintaining the property and client database. Prior to real estate, she worked in the marketing department of an exotic car dealership in Los Angeles where she managed marketing campaigns and assisted with event coordination.

In her free time, she enjoys cooking, going to the beach, camping and spending time outdoors with her dog, Ghost.

Marilyn Cline is a residential buyer and listing agent for Kalen Ludwig Real Estate Specialists. Born and raised in South Central Iowa, Marilyn has always remained dedicated to providing her clients with top-quality service. For more than 40 years, Marilyn worked with her husband in their family farm and trucking business. Her drive remained as she began her career in real estate in 2004.

In 2007, she obtained her Realtor License, where she guided clients through the real estate process. Her wealth of experience has gained the trust of many clients with the purchase and selling of their property. To provide greater value to customers, Marilyn earned the GRI and Seller Specialist designations in real estate.

When buying and selling, you can expect nothing less than excellent service, professionalism, and results! Marilyn is a member of the Des Moines Area Association of Realtors, Iowa Association of Realtors, and Indianola Chamber of Commerce.

Andrew Cohn joined Peoples Company and George Baird with Landmark Ag Capital LLC in early October 2021, where he is focusing on farm property management, development, and other related services throughout Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi.

Andrew (Drew) was born and raised in the Memphis metropolitan area in a small town named Eads, Tennessee. Prior to his opportunity at Peoples Company as a Land Management Intern, he obtained an internship on a farm in Bono, Arkansas. They grew rice, corn, soybeans, and wheat on the farm. It was only then when Drew knew he had a passion and an obsession for farming. In addition to farming, Drew enjoys spending his free time in the gym, playing guitar, hunting, and fishing.

Drew is enrolled at the University of Tennessee at Martin pursuing a degree in Agriculture Business with a concentration in Farm and Ranch Management and plans to graduate in May of 2022. Drew’s passion for farming and row crop management brought him closer to Peoples Company and Landmark Ag Capital LLC.

Adam Crist is a licensed Realtor in the State of Wisconsin. He was born and raised in Darlington and is a graduate of Darlington High School. Adam has been in the automotive industry for the past eight years, five of those years in management. He has more than 12 years of experience in the agriculture industry. He assisted in managing the family farm which consisted of over 2,000 acres of tillable crops and over 300 head of Black Angus cattle. His past experience has made Adam extremely knowledgeable in every aspect of the agriculture industry. Adam began selling real estate in 2019 and he has quickly become the #1 Realtor in Southwest Wisconsin. Adam prides himself in his passionate and heartfelt drive to serve his clients' best interests. He is dedicated, knowledgeable, and committed to finding the perfect fit, whether that be a new home, farm, or business. Adam currently resides in Mineral Point with his wife, Jora, and his three small children. He enjoys spending time with his family, friends, and the outdoors.

Expertise
It is said that perfection is driven by passion. It is Adam’s drive and true passion for agriculture that creates his drive and commitment to the land brokerage business. Located in Southern Iowa and backed by a history in agriculture, Adam thrives on the idea of growth and the evolution of agriculture. Helping both farmers and investors not only find opportunity but also helping them act on that opportunity is the driving factor behind his business.  

Adam truly believes that the land business is globally connected and because of that stays very open to outside of the box thinking. With a focus on ag real estate, his many connections help drive a successful business. 

Adam has also taken a very active role in Peoples Company's auction division. Adam has gained a reputation as an agent who provides his clients with exceptional service through his knowledge of real estate, his superior work ethic, property promotion, communication, and wonderful public relations.

Being raised on a family farm as well as being involved in the family livestock market, Adam has developed the ability to deal with people from many different backgrounds. He has learned the importance of public relations as well as strong work ethic, and product knowledge. His experiences have also helped him in developing great problem solving skills and creative marketing strategies to give his clients a more productive buying and selling experience.

"Just as the real estate industry evolves to become more innovative and efficient, so do I.” A Southern Iowa native for over 30 years, Sara’s knowledge of Iowa’s rural geography can assist you with all of your real estate needs. Prior to joining the Peoples Company team, she taught elementary school for nine years. As an educator, she learned how to be patient, detail-oriented, proactive and a strong advocate for all of her students. 

As a REALTOR®, Sara will work diligently in your best interest throughout your real estate transaction. She is a member of the Des Moines Area Association of REALTORS®, the Iowa Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS®. Sara is currently licensed to sell real estate in Iowa. 

When not assisting clients, Sara enjoys working on the farm or spending time with her two children. Sara also serves on the Lucas County Farm Bureau Board of Directors. Sara and husband Adam reside on a farm in Lucas County.

Jeremy Darner brings over 15 years of real estate experience to Peoples Company. Jeremy joined Peoples Company in 2020 from Cushman & Wakefield where he focused on agricultural valuation and consulting assignments throughout the western United States. Mr. Darner has extensive analytical experience in a wide array of agricultural assets, including field and row crop land, vineyards, groves, orchards, wineries, nurseries and greenhouses, ranches, vacant and transitional land, and other complex property types throughout California and the U.S. 

Jeremy has been a licensed Real Estate Appraiser in the State of California since 2005 and a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of California since 2014.  He currently holds Certified General Appraiser licenses in California and Arizona. He has achieved MAI, SRA, and AI-GRS designations from the Appraisal Institute and has served in local and regional leadership within the Appraisal Institute (AI).  In 2021, he received the Appraisal Institute's Volunteer of Distinction Award.  He is a member of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA) and serves on the California Chapter's Region 7 Trends Committee.  He is also a member of the California Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors.

Expertise

Keaton Dreher started with Peoples Company in the spring of 2013 and is focused on the company’s residential, new construction, and land development/lot sales. He continues to assist Kalen Ludwig with her business and together they position themselves as Peoples Company's only residential specialists. As a team, they specialize in development/lot sales, new construction, listing resale homes for sellers, and assisting buyers. By representing Diligent Development, Keaton is a great resource if you are a builder or an end user looking to secure a single family lot(s) to build on. Keaton also represents Ground Breaker Homes as a sales associate for their new construction homes. Keaton enhances the Kalen Ludwig Real Estate Specialists team with his knowledge and expertise in land development and home building combined with his residential and commercial construction family background. Together, Keaton and Kalen have created a team relationship that is focused on delivering innovative solutions to their clients.

Keaton grew up in Storm Lake, Iowa and then attended the University of Northern Iowa. He graduated from UNI in 2013 with a Bachelor’s in Business Management and was a contributing member of Pi Sigma Epsilon, a co-ed business organization on campus. Through PSE, he gained the proper skills and knowledge needed to communicate and be successful in real estate. Keaton is a licensed real estate sales person in the state of Iowa.

Education

• University of Northern Iowa (2009-2013)
  •     Major: Business Management
  •     (Emphasis in Administration)

Accreditations

• National Association of REALTORS®
• Iowa Association of REALTORS®
• Des Moines Association of REALTORS®     

Affiliations

• Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines (HBA)
• Developers Council of Greater Des Moines (DEVCO)
• Professional Developers of Iowa (PDI)

Chase Duesenberg joined Peoples Company in 2017 and is involved with the facilitation of land auctions, land brokerage, and land management. A native of Clear Lake, Iowa, Chase is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys hunting, fishing, and managing recreational properties, and he directs his passion toward creating opportunities for clients in the land industry. Chase graduated from the University of Northern Iowa where he obtained majors in Finance and Real Estate and participated in the university’s real estate club, Rho Epsilon. He is actively involved with Ducks Unlimited and serves as Co-Chairman of Big Creek. Chase is licensed to sell real estate in the state of Iowa and Minnesota. 

Dylan joined Peoples Company in 2021. He has been in agricultural real estate for six years and understands the importance of every detail in a transaction. He grew up in eastern Nebraska and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2015 with an Agricultural Business Degree. After graduating, Dylan got his real estate license and has been working with buyers and sellers since then.

Dylan has helped clients across Nebraska sell their farms, acreages, and recreational properties. As an avid hunter, he has been all over Nebraska and is always learning from landowners how to respect their land. He takes great passion to see a deal from start to finish.

Dylan is married to his wife, Lauren, and they enjoy spending time with their families and friends.

Dan began his appraisal career in 1986 working under his father-in-law at Butcher & Associates and continued his appraisal career with various other appraisal companies. In 1999, he started his own appraisal practice, Edwards & Associates.

Dan obtained his Certified General appraiser license in 1992 and achieved his American Society of Appraisers (ASA) designation in 2011. In 2018, Dan also achieved his National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers (IFAS) designation. He is a past president of the Detroit Chapter #13 of the ASA. Dan specializes in commercial property and conservation easement appraisals.

Dan and his wife Alyson have been blessed with two children and three grandchildren. They enjoy the outdoors, camping, and riding the Silver Lake sand dunes along Lake Michigan, along with the trails of northern Michigan in their dune buggy.

David Englund joined Peoples Company in July of 2021 upon retiring from FNC as President/CEO after 34 years in various roles with the company. With an excellent reputation for solving problems, improving customer satisfaction, and creating a positive overall team concept, Mr. Englund will be an asset to the Peoples Company Team.

Mr. Englund received his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business from Kearney State College in 1981. He joined FNC in 1987 as a farm and ranch asset manager in Imperial, Nebraska. After 19 years of successfully managing properties and growing portfolios, Englund was promoted to Western Area Vice President for FNC. In 2020, Englund was hired by the FNC board of directors to be President and CEO of the company. Englund held that role until late April of 2021, when he retired.

Mr. Englund has had a distinguished career with FNC, being awarded the FNC Farm Manager of the Year award 4 times and the National American Society of Farm Manager and Rural Appraiser/Syngenta Farm Manager of the Year Award in 1999. Englund has also received multiple business development and real estate sales awards in his career. 

Mr. Englund is an alumnus of the Nebraska LEAD Program, a member of the Omaha Chamber Agri-Business Council, University of Nebraska Ag Business group, Association for Corporate Growth in Omaha and various other groups. He also holds real estate broker licensing in Nebraska, South Dakota and Minnesota.

Chris joined Peoples Company in January 2021 and is a Senior Analyst with 6+ years of experience in the real estate industry. He specializes in property valuation, market research, and financial analysis, and his work directly supports the appraisal and brokerage service lines of the Pacific West Division.

Chris holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Tech and is currently focused on obtaining his Certified General Appraiser license. Outside of work he enjoys surfing and hiking with friends.

Ryan Ferguson is a designer and member of the Peoples Company marketing team. At Peoples Company, he works closely with land agents and associates alongside the marketing team. Ryan uses his design skills to advertise and promote Peoples Company's land listings and auctions by creating eye-catching marketing materials including brochures, postcards, listing images, poster boards, newspaper ads, and more.

Ryan graduated from Iowa State University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Graphic Design and has over five years of experience in the graphic design field.

In his free time, he enjoys gaming, a good cigar, and outdoor activities with his corgi Banksy. Also likes cat memes, street art, and anything to do with tacos.

John Garlock joined Peoples Company in 2021 as an Appraisal Trainee, based out of Omaha, Nebraska. Originally from Jackson, Tennessee, John graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he majored in Agribusiness while minoring in Business and Business Law. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting and boating activities.

Eric Geiger acquired his sales associate license from the Nebraska Real Estate Commission in 2006. In 1991, Geiger received a business degree from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Geiger is a lifelong farmer who grew up in rural Nebraska. His agricultural productions and business experience make him a great farm and ranch real estate sales associate for Peoples Company.

Geiger served on the Board of Directors for the Thirty-Mile Channel Irrigation Ditch in central Nebraska. He is also a member and past president of the local Dawson County affiliate of the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association. He is also an active member of Toastmasters.

Currently Geiger is responsible for farm sales, leasing, and management in northeast and western Nebraska. He has experience with estate planning, 1031 exchanges, and the farm program. Geiger is working toward his appraisal license. Attaining his appraisal license will give him better knowledge and a greater background in evaluations for farm property. Geiger has worked with difficult transactions that needed constant attention. He strives to make the deal work for everyone.

Professional Affiliations & Accreditations
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson, State of Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas
Board Member, Thirty-Mile Canal Irrigation Ditch
Member and Past President, Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association, Dawson County Chapter
Member, Construction Committee, Habitat for Humanity
Member, Toastmasters

Jaxon Goedken is a land analyst for Peoples Company, one of the nation’s leading providers of land brokerage, land management, land appraisal and land investment services. Since joining the company in 2017, Jaxon has been involved in multiple departments of the company with experience in the land appraisal, land investment and land brokerage divisions. Jaxon uses his experiences to assist the brokerage team on large, complex projects across the country.

Jaxon grew up in rural northeast Iowa on a small row crop and livestock operation. He attended Iowa State University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a major in Agricultural Business and a minor in Agronomy.

Allyson Goodman is a graphic designer for Peoples Company. She graduated from Iowa State University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design and a minor in General Business. At Peoples Company, she works closely with land agents and managers alongside the marketing team. She uses her creative skills to design brochures, postcards, flyers, newspaper ads, videos, etc. Allyson also works to produce social media content that is productive to Peoples Company and its affiliates. It is of high importance to her that all deliverables are designed with attention to detail, individuality, and uphold Peoples Company standards.

In her free time, she enjoys traveling, running, photography, and working on productions for a children's theater in Ames.

Since 1971, Chuck has always appreciated his association with the real estate industry: “the business itself is enjoyable and I’ve developed some great friendships – lifetime friendships – over the years. It’s also been a great learning experience … it’s amazing how much I’ve learned from everyone I’ve come in contact with!” Chuck is a Broker Associate in Iowa and a REALTOR®

JIll Griffin is a born and raised Kansan with Southwest Kansas roots. She is a licensed Real Estate Agent and is a graduate of the Professional Ringmen’s Institute. 

Jill has years of experience in community service and that drive provides an eager and dependable strength in meeting her clients' goals.  Her work is focused with an attention to detail and a team approach.

Mike grew up on a family farm in Lyons, Nebraska, which had corn and soybeans, as well as a cow/calf operation. Michael began raising hogs at the age of eight that provided a real-world education on farm finances. Today, he owns and manages the farm with his brothers, continuing the conservation program that’s been passed down from his father.

He joined Peoples Company in 2021 and understands that for most farms and ranches, the land is the most important asset of the operation. Helping each owner attain the highest return for the sale of their farm and providing the right match for the buyer is his objective.

Mike earned BAs in Biology and Mathematics from Augustana University in Sioux Falls, as well as a BS in Systems Science and Mathematics from Washington University in St. Louis.  Michael and his wife, Cindy, have four adult children and six grandchildren.

agent

Kristen Halbur is a Certified General Real Property Appraiser and joined Peoples Company in the winter of 2021.  Kristen attended Iowa State University and graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Business and a Minor in Agronomy.  Kristen started her appraisal career in 2015 with Farm Credit Services of America and became fully licensed in the fall of 2018. Her appraisal experience includes an array of agricultural and recreational type properties in Iowa. Her passion and experience in agriculture began while raised on a family farm in west central Iowa, and grows as she continues to farm with her husband.

Craig joined Peoples Company in April 2017 and brings tremendous knowledge and experience to the appraisal team.

Education and Related Course Work

• Graduate of Missouri School of Auctioneering (1990)
• Iowa State University, Master’s Degree in Agriculture Economics (1977)
• Iowa State University, Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture Business (1968)
• Atlantic High School, Atlantic, Iowa, High School Diploma (1964)

Related Work Experience

• May 2017 - Present
  Peoples Company - Real Estate Appraiser

• July 2016 - May 2017
  Harris Appraisal Services - Real Estate Appraiser

• March 2001 - June 2016
  Farm Credit Services of America - Real Estate and Chattel Appraiser

• February 1991 - March 2001
  Farmers National Company - Broker, Auctioneer, Farm Manager, Appraiser

• July 1984 - February 1991
  Agra Partners Real Estate - Part Owner, Broker, Farm Manager, Appraiser

• February 1979 - July 1986
  Farm Operation - Partner

• June 1977 - February 1979
  The Sandage Companies - Farm Manager

Types of Properties Appraised

• Agricultural Land
• Cattle Feed Yards
• Recreational Land
• Rural Acreages
• Swine Confinements

Professional Affiliations

• 30-Year Member of the American Society of Farm Managers & Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA). Served as President of the Iowa Chapter (2016) and President of the Iowa Chapter Education Foundation (2017)
• American Society of Appraisers (1989). Earned Designation of Accredited Senior Appraiser, Real Property, Rural (1993) and Served as Chapter President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer of Nebraska Chapter
• Iowa Real Estate Appraiser Examining Board (1993-1999). Appointed to Two 3-Year Terms by Governor Terry Branstad
• Past Member of the National Association of Realtors
• Past Member of the Iowa Association of Realtors
• Past Member of the Realtors Land Institute
• Iowa State University/US Agency for International Development (USAID)

Community Involvement

• Member of the Shenandoah First United Methodist Church
• President of the Shenandoah Medical Center (SMC) Foundation Board of Directors. Past Chairman of the SMC Governing Board of Directors
• Life-time Member of the Iowa State University Alumni Association
• Member of the Shenandoah Chamber and Industry Association (SCIA). President 1997, Member of the Ag Committee and Past Member of the Business District Development Committee
• Iowa Soybean Promotion Board (1981-1987)

Expertise
Kenny is a versatile member of the Peoples Company team who strives to provide an unparalleled level of customer service to his clients. Since joining Peoples Company in 2012, Kenny has quickly become one of the top producing land agents serving landowners throughout South Central Iowa. Kenny is driven by a persistent work ethic and positive attitude with the motivation to satisfy all parties of a real estate transaction.

Kenny graduated Magna Cum Laude from Simpson College, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management with a Marketing minor, and has a wide variety of hands-on experience from previous careers. 

Kenny differentiates himself by providing comprehensive follow through with his clients and executing on the results they deserve.

Accreditations
Accredited Land Consultant (ALC)
REALTOR®, Peoples Company - Licensed to Sell Real Estate in Iowa and Missouri
Warren County Leadership Institute, Class of 2017

Affiliations
National Association of REALTORS®
Iowa Association of REALTORS®
REALTORS® Land Institute
Des Moines Association of REALTORS®
Warren County Leadership Institute Board of Directors
We Lift Job Search Center Board of Directors
Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 33
United Association of Plumbers/Welders

Education
Simpson College, Bachelor of Arts in Business Management, Marketing Minor, Graduated Magna Cum Laude
Plumbers & Steamfitters Joint Apprenticeship Training Program

Testimonials
”Considering the logistics of those involved...and the ”window” from contact to closing...nearly an impossible request! 

The owner lives in Missouri, the Farm Manager is leaving Iowa in 2 days to spend the winter in Texas.

He called Peoples Company to arrange ”Walking the farm with an Agent”. Within 2 hours of my phone call to the Manager, I received a phone call saying ”We are standing on the farm!” I WAS IMPRESSED!

Thanks to e-mails, conference calling, FAX, etc. Kenny arranged the Auction. In less than 2 months, mission accomplished with no problems - Money was in the bank!”
--- Valeta

” I would recommend Peoples Co. especially our Agent Kenny. From listing to selling the house, he always kept me informed and explained in detail what was happening. The house was sold in a few weeks. Thank you Kenny!!!”
--- Jan

”Kenny Herring, with his positive attitude became quickly knowledgable of our family farm. He immediately became acquainted with those associated with our family farm corporation. He spoke with respect of other realtors as they became involved with the sale process. His visuals were extraordinary and Kenny was relentless in his pursuit of finding buyers of interest from in and out of the state of Iowa. 

His consistent communication skills kept me informed of the sale progress. When sales were down, Kenny acquired a price that pleased the land owners and all those involved with the sale. You will be fortunate to have Kenny Herring as your Realtor. Kenny Herring is the Realtor to call in selling your farm”.
---Mary Beth

Matt Hoenig joined the Peoples Company team in the Summer of 2020 as a part of the Land Brokerage Division, where he focuses on agricultural, recreational, and development real estate.

Matt grew up in rural Iowa near the town of Riverside. He worked with many of the local businesses forming lasting relationships with owners and customers. Matt is also an avid outdoorsman in South- east Iowa which has helped create many friendships and opportunities. In his free time Matt enjoys hunting and fishing.

Matt graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Marketing and Real Estate in 2020. His passion for the land brought him to Peoples Company. Utilizing Peoples Company platform Matt can better assist by providing accurate information to clients on the land market.

Cathy Holman grew up in Cadott, Wisconsin on a dairy farm with a large family. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree at the University of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. She moved to Iowa in 2007 and worked as a graphic designer making brochures, pamphlets and business cards for various small businesses and customers. She then began working at the Sherriff's Office as a 911 operator and jailer where her hard work and calm demeanor helped guide people through emergency situations for 6 years. For the past 4 years, she has worked in accounting and office management for construction companies. She will be working with the Farm Management Group and the Accounting Department. 

Carol joined Peoples Company in 2021 and attended the Arkansas Academy of Real Estate in Jonesboro Arkansas. Carol lives on a family cattle and hay farm in Northeastern Arkansas. She and her husband Brad owned and operated a Farm & Ranch Supply Business for 22 years until they sold it in 2017.  Carol graduated from the University of West Georgia with a Bachelors of Business Administration in Management. Since 2014, Carol has served as a board member on the Arkansas Auctioneers Licensing Board. She stays active in her church as well as local community activities. She is a member of the Northeast Arkansas Board of Realtors and ready to help you with all your real estate needs in Arkansas.

Joining Peoples Company in 2022, Robyn has over a decade of experience providing high caliber administrative and strategic support to executives across a diverse range of industries. She provides direct support to President Steve Bruere with a high level of coordination and communication to aid in the efficiency of all aspects of the business.

George Hunger, with Hunger Appraisal Services, specializes in agricultural properties including headquarter tracts, dairy farms, hog farms, replacement cattle facilities, grain facilities, vineyards, and orchard properties.

He also works on a regular basis with large acreages, rural residential, and recreational properties.

George is a Certified General Appraiser.

Expertise

John Hutchcroft has been rooted in the Indianola community his whole life and raised his boys here. John has owned and operated several farms in Western Warren County for 34 years and has a strong background in livestock production. John has rented out his cropland in the last year to concentrate more in Real Estate with Peoples Company. John enjoys working with clients in residential and commercial businesses around Indianola. John has a strong construction background and also likes to buy century old homes in Indianola and restore them to their era. John enjoys spending free time riding/training his horses and taking ”William” his border collie on motorcycle rides. John has been licensed for 20+ years.

BIO

Peter Isaacson joined the Peoples Company team in 2018 and focuses on Land and Asset Management for the Clive, Iowa based company. His passion for both production agriculture and conservation make him a great addition to the land management team at Peoples Company.

After growing up on his family’s row crop and beef operation along the banks of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay, Peter’s passion for agriculture led him to Ames, Iowa where he continued his education at Iowa State University obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Studies and a minor in Agronomy. Growing up on Maryland’s eastern shore gives Peter a strong conservation background with extensive knowledge regarding cover crops, no-till, nutrient management, water quality, and total soil stewardship. Previous work experiences have provided Peter with a wealth of knowledge regarding Ag retail, agronomy, biotechnology, custom operations, conservation, and Midwestern crop production methods, all which are utilized in his current role as a land manager. 

Peter understands that appreciation and sustainability go hand-in-hand, and manages farms with a goaloriented, performance-driven approach. Peter has experience managing farms in Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota, and other properties throughout the Midwest. These farms feature diverse cropping plans, organics, complex leases, conservation practices, and capital improvement projects, leaving no stone unturned when it comes to increasing revenue and sustainability.

EDUCATION

Iowa State University, B.S. Agricultural Studies, 2018, Ames, Iowa

LAND MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE

• Collecting, organizing, and storing important farm data and documents on behalf of landowners.
• Goal-oriented with increased appreciation/income through sustainability and social responsibility.
• Cover crop funding, utilization, and application.
• Soil health monitoring focused on enhancing soils.
• Financial analysis of capital improvement projects.
• Analyzing, drafting, and enforcing diverse farm leases to fit the goals and expectations of each landowner.
• Recruiting top farm operators to fulfill the requirements of each farm lease and achieving farm goals.
• Hunting leases and other “value added” revenue streams.
• Farm drainage consultation, planning, and implementation.
• Budgeting, implementing, and overseeing custom farming agreements to achieve superior returns.
• Understanding of current FSA & NRCS programs and funding available to landowners to offset costs and improve returns. 
• Experience with alternative crops, USDA certified organic, and “niche market” crops.
• Crop Insurance selection and utilization to offset risk associated with crop ownership.
• Leading Harvest oversight and compliance.

AFFILIATIONS & ACCREDITATIONS

• American Society of Farm Managers & Rural Appraisers, Accredited Farm Manager (AFM)
• Licensed Real Estate Agent in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska
• Iowa Farm Bureau Member
• Iowa Corn Growers Association Member
• Iowa Soybean Association Member
• Board Member of Young Professionals in Agriculture
• Mid-Iowa Estate & Financial Planners

LICENSES

#475.184097
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson
Licensed In: Illinois
Expiration: April 30, 2024

#S66815000
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson
Licensed In: Iowa
Expiration: December 31, 2023

#40608056
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson
Licensed In: Minnesota
Expiration: June 30, 2022

#20190425
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson
Licensed In: Nebraska
Expiration: December 31, 2023

Sue joined Peoples Company in 2022 as the Director of Accounting. She oversees the financial operations of the company and works with the accounting team to manage the day to day financial activities. She is responsible for creating and implementing financial budgets, reports, policies, processes, and strategies to improve the business’ financial status. She enjoys analyzing workflows to find efficiencies in business and is always willing to do what is needed to make the company a success.

Lori joined the AgriBusiness Trading Group team with a deep understanding of the valuable connections and experiences of orchard and vineyard ownership, wine production and Federal, State and County laws governing winery businesses and economic practices. Lori owned her own vineyard and winery in the “Rocks District AVA” of Milton Freewater. Her on the ground knowledge is backed by Enology and Viticulture education from UC Davis and WSU’s vineyard and winery management programs. Lori adds to AgriBusiness Trading Group's focus of unparalleled customer service, extreme integrity, unmatched professionalism and obsession to always putting client’s needs before her own. ATG continues to serve the needs of clients in the States of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and California.

Kolt Kiburz joined the Peoples Company team in 2019 and focuses on helping clients buy and sell farm ground. Kolt is passionate about building lasting relationships and holds honesty and integrity as his highest values. Kolt is a licensed real estate agent in the state of Iowa. His expertise in the land market and his relationship-based approach make him a perfect fit for both buyers and sellers alike. 

Kim King has been a Real Estate Agent for 23 years bringing buyers and sellers together through a family owned real estate company in Hardy, Arkansas. Kim moved to Jonesboro, Akansas in 2012 and has been selling real estate traditionally and through the auction method. She received her auctioneers license in 2004 where she, along with her husband Joel, have been conducting real estate and personal property auctions throughout Northeast Arkansas. Kim is a member of the Northeast Arkansas Board of Realtors, Arkansas Auctioneers Association, as well as the National Auctioneers Association. In 2005, she earned the Certified Personal Property Appraising designation from the Auction Marketing Institute.

Preston King is a Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser and joined Peoples Company in the Fall of 2021.  Preston attended Arkansas State University and graduated in December 2012 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance and Accounting.  Preston started his appraisal career in Fall of 2014. He became certified in the Fall of 2017. His experiences have been broad with an array of property types including, residential, multi-family, vacant land appraisals, office & multi-tenant buildings. Preston is also the executive broker and licensed auctioneer in the People’s Company Delta office. With a solid and broad base of experience in the appraisal industry, Preston has the knowledge and ability to provide quality appraisal reports with efficient turn-around times.

Licenses Held
Certified Residential Appraiser in Arkansas
Licensed Real Estate Broker in Arkansas

Professional Affiliations   
National Association of Realtors
Arkansas Auctioneers Association

Education
Arkansas State University (2012)
- Bachelor of Science in Finance & Accounting

Joel King joined Peoples Company as the Broker in the Delta Region in May of 2020. Joel's office is in Jonesboro, Arkansas and he conducts real estate transactions in Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Arkansas State University, he returned home to join his family's real estate company that was started in 1963. For the last 35 years, he has been conducting real estate auctions and selling land through the traditional method.

Joel is a Realtors Land Institute instructor of Land 101 and Recreational Land courses that are offered by the Institute. Through his achievement and education, he obtained the Accredited Land Consultant (ALC) designation. He also serves as the chairman of the education committee and sits on the board of the Institute as well. For the years of 2016-2018, Joel served as the president of the Arkansas Chapter of Realtors Association.

The auction method of selling real estate has always intrigued him and he decided to pursue it as another method of selling land and other assets. He attended and has achieved the prestigious Certified Auctioneers Institution (CAI) designation of which only 1100 have obtained. Joel was inducted in the Arkansas Auctioneers Hall of Fame in 2015 and is a member of both the State and National Auction Associations.

To add to his services, he became a State Registered Appraiser in 2013 and is a member of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. 

Erin Larsen is the Lead Designer for Peoples Company. With over 17 years of experience in the field and a minor in advertising, Erin uses her design skills and expertise to produce custom-designed marketing materials for Peoples Company. Anything from publication ads and brochures to email blasts and website designs are created to help advertise and promote each unique listing and land auction for Peoples Company. Erin also helps to coordinate and execute marketing campaigns and events for the company, including the Land Investment Expo.

Eric Lonnevik specializes in land brokerage and land auctions across the state of Iowa. Eric grew up near Belmond, Iowa working on his family’s row crop and livestock operation. He developed an enduring passion for the outdoors at a young age resulting in a strong connection to the land and all things that depend upon it. Eric attended Iowa State University majoring in Agricultural Studies and minoring in Agricultural Systems Technology. After college, Eric spent several years in sales and sales management in both the outdoor sporting industry and agricultural industry before transitioning into real estate sales. With his strong farm background, cooperative nature, and solid reputation, Eric is a reliable choice if you are looking for a real estate agent to represent you whether you are buying or selling land.

Kalen Ludwig and her team position themselves as Peoples Company's residential specialists in the Des Moines Metro. By representing Diligent Development, Kalen is a great resource if you are a builder or an end-user looking to secure a single family lot(s) to build on, Kalen also is a Partner/Director of Sales & Marketing for Ground Breaker Homes. 

Kalen brings her multifaceted experience and expertise to help clients who may be looking for development/lot, new construction homes, and residential resell. 

Her experience is proven in the awards and honors she has been recognized for. In 2021 alone, Kalen received the following honors: DMAAR Realtor of the Year; DMAAR Circle of Excellence, which is only awarded to the top-performing Realtors in the market; and Builder of the Year and Member of the Year, awarded by the Des Moines Home Builders Association. 

Keeping the market place up to date with her quarterly new construction and housing statistics/blog and speaking annually at Peoples Company's Builder and Developer Luncheon are focal points of her business. Sign up for this information at www.KalenLudwig.com!

After earning a Marketing and Real Estate degree from the University of Northern Iowa, Kalen joined Peoples Company in January 2005. She keeps active with Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines and was President in 2021, a member of EO Iowa, and was honored to receive Des Moines Association of Realtors’ 2021 Realtor of the Year.

Accreditations and Affiliations

• National Association of REALTORS®

• Iowa Association of REALTORS®

• Des Moines Association of REALTORS®  

• Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines Board Member (President in 2021)

• 2021 HBA Builder of the Year and Member of the Year

• 2021 DMAAR Realtor of the Year 

• Entrepreneurial Organization Iowa 

• Norwalk Chamber Member

• Indianola Chamber Member

• Dallas County Alliance Board Member

Education

• University of Northern Iowa

  • Major: Marketing

  • (Emphasis in Sales and Advertising)

  • Minor: Real Estate

Ashley grew up in Southwest Wisconsin where her family owns and operates a registered Angus beef and grain farm. Her passion for animals and agriculture started at a young age and played an extensive role in all her experiences whether personal or professional. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Platteville where she earned her bachelor’s degree in agribusiness with a comprehensive emphasis, primarily focusing on marketing, communications, and finance. After graduation, Ashley worked for the USDA Farm Service Agency for seven years as a farm loan officer and loan secretary. Most recently, she’s worked as a title processor at a local abstract and title office. 

In her free time, you can find Ashley spending time with her husband, daughter, fur babies, and extended family. She and her husband, Scott, own a small herd of Angus cattle along with running a small cash crop operation. Another passion of hers is mental health awareness and its importance, especially in the agriculture community. 

Ashley is excited to bring her real estate experience full circle with now being able to help customers on the buying and selling end of the transaction. Her knowledge of agriculture loans and programs along the title industry will prove beneficial in helping to guide her customers throughout the entire process. She looks forward to working with you in the future.

Kim is the Office Manager in Marlette, MI, and handles the day-to-day operations of the business. She provides consistent administrative support in the areas of document proofing, project compilation, research retrieval, as well as office and project communication. Kim previously worked in the public school system for 19 years in administrative positions.

Mike McKee works in the agricultural appraisal department alongside Mark Williams, completing appraisals for vacant land and headquarters tracts. In his free time, Mike enjoys fixing up and selling vehicles.

Bio

• Growing up on a farm in rural Clinton Co., Alan McNeil has been involved with Agriculture since a young age. After high school Alan continued his agricultural education at Iowa State University and graduated with a Bachelors degree in Public Service and Administration in Agriculture. After college Alan began his brokerage career. Over the past 3 years since graduating college Alan has traveled throughout the Midwest and the Delta evaluating farmland. Alan has helped close over Millions of Ag real estate. Alan Looks forward to talking to any potential clients.

Education

• Iowa State University, Bachelor of Science, Public Service Administration in Agriculture

Affiliations

• Iowa Association of Realtors
• Quad City Area Association of Realtors
• DeWitt Noon Lions Club Member
• Clinton County Iowa Property Tax Board Of Review
• Iowa Farm Bureau

Jesse is a licensed Broker Associate and Auctioneer in the State of Iowa. He grew up on a dairy, beef, horse, and crop farm in Bernard, IA, and was very involved in all aspects of their farming operation. After graduating from High School Jesse attained his Associate's Degree in Ag-Business from Kirkwood Community College. In 2010, Jesse received his real estate license where he has specialized in land, acreages, and residential. Jesse’s passion for land, acreages, and auctioneering has brought him to Peoples Company.

Jesse has gained a reputation as an agent who provides his clients with exceptional service through his knowledge of real estate, his superior work ethic, communication, wonderful public relations, and a positive attitude.

Jesse currently resides in Bernard with his wife, Sharon, and his son, Brex. He enjoys spending time with his family, friends, and the outdoors.

Dave obtained his limited appraiser license in Michigan in 2004, while he was a junior at Michigan State University. He initially appraised single-family homes in Lansing/East Lansing and in the Detroit-metro area. He obtained his certified residential appraiser license in 2006 and confirmed the SRA designation from the Appraisal Institute in 2008. Between 2004 and 2009 Dave shifted from appraising single-family homes to appraising commercial real estate, and ultimately achieved his certified general appraiser license in 2008. In April 2009 Dave joined the Southfield/Detroit office of CBRE where he went on to appraise a breadth of commercial real estate such as vacant land, residential subdivisions, schools, churches, light industrial buildings, retail buildings, multi-family apartments, medical office buildings, drug stores, and single- and multi-tenant suburban and urban office buildings. Dave has appraised numerous low-to-high-rise multi-tenant office buildings in the metro and Downtown Detroit area. Some specialty/unique properties which Dave has appraised include a privately owned residential island with a seasonal home in Lake St. Clair (MI) and three college/university campuses. Dave confirmed the MAI designation from the Appraisal Institute in 2014. Additionally, Dave has represented his work in court via expert witness testimony on multiple occasions. In January 2021 Dave resigned from CBRE after an 11-year tenure to join Peoples Company as their Director of Appraisal. 

At Peoples Company, Dave’s focus is to grow/enhance the existing appraisal services business line across the entire United States. The appraisal services business line is centric on the appraisal of agricultural real estate. Property types appraised by the appraisal team includes but is not limited to bare recreational and hunting land, income-producing high-quality tillable cropland, fruit/vegetable farms, wineries, agri-business facilities such as dairy, hog, cattle, and poultry, as well as conservation easements, and various assignments for local, state, and federal government agencies (ag-related projects). The appraisal business line is currently licensed in 24 states and holds temporary licenses in additional states.

Mike has been with Peoples Company since 2012, and has been selling real estate full time since 2001. In his 19 year career, he has sold over 400 properties. Mike graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in finance and real estate emphasis in 2001. He obtained his broker’s license in 2008.   

His long real estate career has been very diverse, selling many residential homes, acreages, and farm real estate.  Mike is very driven to serve his clients and is incredibly good at selling all types of real estate.  He is an extremely honest, hardworking, and dedicated man of integrity.

Mike lives on his farm in Lucas County with his wife, Angie. He is passionate about conservation, always working to improve the habitat and CRP on his farm. He is actively involved as a committee member of the Three Rivers Ducks Unlimited chapter. He is a member of Indianola Freedom Fellowship Church, where he leads a weekly men’s bible study. In his free time, Mike enjoys working on the farm, hunting, fishing, trapping, taking his bird dog “Grace” out, and participating in church activities.

Emily Oberbroeckling is a Certified General Real Property Appraiser and joined Peoples Company in 2021. Emily has early career experience in lending at a community bank in Northeast Iowa. Emily started her appraisal career in 2012 appraising agricultural properties in Iowa with Farm Credit Services of America and became fully licensed in 2016.

Emily grew up on a family dairy farm in Northeast Iowa where a passion for land and agriculture developed.  Emily has experience in appraising farmland, recreational land, dairy, beef and swine facilities, grain facilities, and rural acreages in Iowa.

Emily maintains an active role on the family row- crop and livestock farm and trucking business with her husband, Erik, and two boys. 

License Held
Certified General Appraiser in Iowa

Professional Affiliations and Community Involvement
Member of the Iowa Chapter ASFMRA since 2013 with various committee roles - Executive Board Director- 2021
Clayton County Iowa Farm Bureau Board Secretary

Education
UW- Platteville, Wisconsin - 2009
- Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business

Brant joined Peoples Company in March 2022. He has spent the last 30 years as a fifth generation farmer in SW Kansas. He has a unique perspective and skillset from farming in the area formerly known as The Dust Bowl. Whether it be deciphering test holes, drilling wells, designing systems, or growing multiple irrigated crops. With 30 years of experience as an irrigated farmer and landowner, Brant has the experience to navigate the complexities of irrigation land ownership. Simultaneously, dryland farming on the high plains brings an appreciation for residue management and conservation practices.

Serving 18 years as a board director for two local banks provided an alternate vantage point to develop skills and techniques to navigate land management. Be that, reviewing new loans for approval, evaluating under performing loans for classification, or even managing the loan loss reserve balance. Additionally, witnessing the immeasurable value of having trade professionals involved in the process directly correlates to the success of the organization.

Brant has long enjoyed working with landowners as a tenant to help them navigate the complexity of modern farming practices, FSA programs, MPCI compliance, water rights, and a global marketplace. Thus, the transition into professional land management and utilizing his experience is a natural fit. In 2010, Winsome Ag Services was formed as a sideline to the farm. The custom farming Brant provided the area farmers needed room to grow, as well as a location for the Kansas Certified Seed and Channel Seed dealership to operate under. The land management aspect started in 2015 when a local dairy needed help navigating FSA and MPCI. After joining the ASFMRA in March 2020, and learning more about the profession, Brant enrolled in the courses and received his Accredited Farm Manager status in 2021.

Ashley joined People’s Company as an Appraisal Coordinator in 2021.  Ashley’s previous experience in agricultural finance, appraisal support, research and agribusiness has given her the background to understand the depth of agriculture in its entirety.   

Ashley received her associate’s degree from Kirkwood Community College, and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Business through Mt. Mercy University. 

Ashley is from Eastern Iowa and grew up on a small row crop farm.  She and her husband, Josh, reside in Cedar County with their two children and have a corn, soybean, and livestock operation.

Jeff grew up in the small central Nebraska farming community of Lexington, Nebraska where he learned about farming first-hand from his father. When his father decided to pursue a career in real estate and insurance in 1980, Jeff followed his lead. In 1982, his father founded Doran Post & Associates, a full-line insurance agency and real estate firm. In 1997, Jeff succeeded his father as President and Owner.  After becoming president, Jeff pursued auctioneer school. He graduated from Nashville School of Auction in 2000.  When Mid-Continent Properties, Inc. was seeking new leadership in 2005, Jeff moved to Omaha, Nebraska to be closer to his wife Mimi and two stepchildren.  In 2020, Mid-Continent Properties joined Peoples Company to expand their market further into the western plains region.  

Professional Affiliations & Accreditations

Licensed Real Estate Broker, States of Nebraska, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas
Graduate, Nashville School of Auction, University of Nebraska Lincoln/Kearney 
Realtors Land Institute

Michele Reamer obtained her limited license in 2010 and became a State Licensed Appraiser in 2014. Her focus has been on vacant agricultural and recreational land.  She is a notary public for the State of Michigan.

John Reburn is from New Albin, Iowa and graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in May of 2017. After graduating with a degree in Finance and Real Estate, John knew he wanted to enter the Agricultural Industry. John developed a passion for farming while growing up in rural Iowa and working on a farm throughout college.

John’s primary focus is helping clients acquire and sell land. Using Peoples Company’s land database and platform, he has access to every farm for sale on the market and multiple off-market properties to provide clients acquisition opportunities. The Peoples Company land database also provides the most recent sale information to keep clients well informed on the land market.

John is an active member of the Iowa Army National Guard and enjoys hiking, hunting, and fishing during his free time.

Expertise

Becky Rozenboom is a Business Integrator for Peoples Company and affiliate companies. Her duties include managing the company's marketing cornerstone, the Land Investment Expo, the company's diverse social media strategy, and the company’s marketing and event strategy. She is also the secretary for the company's board and assists in the responsibility for public relations efforts for the company’s both external and internal communications. In addition to her work for Peoples Company, she also oversees the day to day operations for Ground Breaker Homes as the Vice President of Operations.

Chase Rupiper is a graphic designer for Peoples Company and other Steve Bruere business entities. Chase uses his design skills to advertise and promote Peoples Company's land listings and auctions by creating eye-catching marketing materials including brochures, postcards, listing images, poster boards, newspaper ads, and more. Chase works closely with lead designer Erin Larsen to complete marketing requests made by PC agents. Chase is chair of the Content Committee and works to gather monthly blog articles from Peoples Company's brokerage, land management, appraisals, and investment teams. Chase administers the Peoples Company social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Youtube) and uses the platforms to promote the company's listings and auctions as well as the blog articles.

Chase graduated from Iowa State University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Graphic Design.

Allie Schoeppner is a designer and member of the Peoples Company marketing team. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Integrated Studio Arts from Iowa State University and has over thirteen years of experience in the graphic design field. 

At Peoples Company, Allie works to create marketing campaigns that give each listing or auction a unique look and feel. Anything from collateral for print, to content for the digital space. She also works with Peoples Company’s other business affiliates to fulfill any graphic design needs and prides herself in seeing a project from start to finish.

Allie is the Peoples Company Culture Committee Chair and active in her community by serving as a member of the Art Director's Association of Iowa and The Council for Art Education. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, being outdoors, and spending time with her husband and three boys.

Jake Sickels joined Peoples Company in 2017. Since joining the team, he has been focused on completing land brokerage and land auction transactions. Growing up in Indianola, Iowa, he developed a passion for agriculture and the outdoors, which led him to continue his education at Iowa State University and major in Agricultural Business. Jake is currently a member of the Des Moines Area Association of Realtors and Realtors Land Insitute. Jake deals with a variety of transactions including tillable farmland, recreational farmland, acreages, transitional development land, and development land. 

Jake’s passion, persistence, and attention to detail make him a reliable choice for your next buying or selling real estate transaction. Jake is currently licensed to sell real estate in the state of Iowa and focuses on the areas of Central, Southwest, and North Central Iowa.

Riley Sieren is a land agent and Auctioneer of Peoples Company. Riley spends his time bringing buyers and sellers together where he focuses on the sale and acquisition of agricultural, recreational and developmental land. Riley is a native of Washington County, IA where he grew up on his family farm running across the fertile soils of Iowa and enjoying the outdoors. He attended Iowa State University where he obtained a degree in Agricultural Studies & Agronomy. Riley also graduated from the World Wide College of Auctioneering where he obtained his Auctioneers license.

Growing up on a farm raising and showing livestock, Riley has the knowledge and passion it takes to achieve your goals. His attention to detail and stewardship to the land make Riley a diligent agent to work with from beginning to end. When it comes to marketing Riley has a keen eye and a dilligent approach to set your property apart from the others.

Nic joined Peoples Company in January 2020. His focus is on the land brokerage and land investing divisions of the company. Nic is currently working toward his Accredited Land Consultant designation with the National REALTORS® Land Institute and looks to be a top land agent in the Midwest for years to come. He has extensive contacts in the agricultural and banking industry who are a great resource when listing your property for sale or building your wealth through the purchase of real estate. Nic works with all types of real estate including farmland, acreages, commercial and recreational land.

Nic grew up in Central Nebraska and received his Bachelor of Science from Nebraska Wesleyan University. He now resides on an acreage near Murdock, Nebraska with his family.

Professional Associations and Designations
Licensed Real Estate Agent in Nebraska and Iowa
Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Member
Teammates, Mentor
REALTORS® Land Institute, Member
REALTORS® Land Institute APEX Producers Club Award (2021)

Travis Smock is a land broker and shareholder of Peoples Company, an industry leading, Iowa based firm that focuses on land brokerage & auctions, land management, land investing and appraisals throughout the nation. Since joining the company in 2013, Travis has become a versatile member of the cohesive team, assisting in projects across the country; taking pride in learning & adapting to new areas, advancing the company's top-notch marketing, and building relationships throughout the industry. Additionally, Travis has helped to expand the company’s footprint with the opening of a remote office in Independence, Iowa.

Travis is actively involved in the Iowa Chapter of the REALTORS® Land Institute (RLI), and a past president. After graduating from the University of Northern Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in business management, Travis has continued his education by working towards obtaining the Accredited Land Consultant designation from RLI as well as receiving Real Estate licenses in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Florida. In turn, he has earned the RLI Apex Award in 2017, 2018 and 2019 for being a top producing land agent in the United States.

As a top performing agent within the firm, Travis is well versed in all types of land transactions from income producing farmland to recreational properties and is focused on land auctions, public and private listings, and land investment opportunities throughout the United States.

AFFILIATIONS

• Peoples Company Shareholder
• REALTORS® Land Institute, past Iowa Chapter President 
• Iowa Association of REALTORS®
• National Association of REALTORS®
• Des Moines Area Association of REALTORS® Circle of Excellence Volume Award - 2020
• REALTORS® Land Institute APEX Producer Award (2017-2020)

LISCENSES

Licensed in Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin 

After receiving his Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurial Business in 2015, Ricky obtained his limited license and became a Certified General Real Estate Appraiser in 2018. His areas of focus are animal production facilities and agricultural estate valuation. Ricky has over 35 years of ag-related experience including owning/operating a large dairy production facility in southern Minnesota and serving on a regional agricultural financial lending Board of Directors. He has a life-long passion and commitment to serving both production agriculture and agribusiness.

Suzanna joined the Peoples Company team in February 2019 with over 17 years of experience in the real estate field. As the Real Estate Sales Coordinator at Peoples Company, she sees listings from start to finish. From inputting listings and auctions into multiple marketing websites and updating as necessary, to coordinating with agents, and creating marketing flyers. Suzanna also helps direct correspondence and offer client support.

Justine had her first professional experience with Peoples Company back in 2015 with the Greater Des Moines partnership. At that time she was the Director of Government Relations for the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association and reviewed state law, federal statutes, and agency policies, producing communications and process overviews to ensure compliance. Most recently Justine served Iowa landowners and developed talent at Farm Credit Services of America. Working closely with buyers and sellers through contracts for purchase, 1031 exchanges, and real estate refinances she provided unrivaled customer service and maintained real estate standards. Additionally, she provided coaching and professional development to the operations team in Southeast Iowa.

Justine serves Peoples Company as the Director of Brokerage playing a crucial role in evaluating policies and procedures while training and developing agents for Peoples Company.

Growing up working in production agriculture on a 5th generation Iowa family farm and as a female landowner today, Justine has a strong desire to enhance the legacy of owning real estate. Justine is a graduate of Iowa State University and has a master’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Angela Stone is a licensed Kansas Real Estate Sales Agent and graduate of the Professional Ringmen's Institute. A lifetime resident of Southwest Kansas, she has been involved in many forms of production agriculture, as well as owned and operated an Event business. Her motto is "details matter". Angela thrives on uniting with others to execute a collaborative project.

My passion for agriculture can be traced back to my pre-professional days. As a member of my high school’s FFA chapter, I competed in numerous career and leadership development events including agricultural issues. I researched the pros and cons of an agricultural issue persistent in the Walla Walla Valley and presented my findings to a panel of judges. It was during this time that I discovered my love for agribusiness and farm management and decided to acquire my bachelor’s degree in business administration. 

After graduating from Eastern Oregon University, I began my professional career at the USDA Farm Service Agency where I oversaw the administration of the conservation reserve program. I also worked with livestock producers who experienced losses due to adverse weather events, a cause that is near to my heart as I spent my college years working on numerous dairy cattle feedlots in the Yakima Valley. It was here that I witnessed firsthand the importance of integrity, in both the cattle and professional worlds, as I worked alongside cattlemen who work tirelessly day in and day out to feed the world. Working side-by-side with some of the dairy industry’s brightest minds inspired me to return to EOU to obtain my master’s degree in business administration.

In my free time I enjoy spending time outdoors and fishing on the Columbia River. During the summer I love watching the equine athletes of the ProRodeo circuit as they compete throughout the Northwest. I am excited to join the ATG team and utilize my extensive agribusiness background and commitment to integrity to provide our clients with smooth asset transfers that garner the best value and least amount of stress and worry.

Katerina Suther holds a graphic design position as part of the marketing team at Peoples Company. She received a Master of Fine arts in Graphic Design from Liberty University in 2021 and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Iowa State University in 2018.

She is an experienced graphic designer, photographer, and videographer with over six years of relevant visual design experience. Driven by her curiosity and enthusiasm for all things design, she takes pride in providing the best design and marketing services possible. Her primary functions include but are not limited to editorial design and photography, social media ad design and management, logo design, and event videography.

When she isn’t busy painting or playing with her two kittens, you can find her woodworking or biking with her husband.

Amber joined Peoples Company in February of 2011. For six years, she worked for the Brokerage business as the Senior Real Estate Sales Coordinator. As the Senior Real Estate Sale Coordinator, she entered listings onto websites, made marketing flyers, managed social media, reconciled trust accounts, and audited agent files. In December of 2017, Amber transitioned to the Land Management & Appraisal departments as the Land Management & Appraisal Coordinator. In this role, Amber maps properties, coordinates cash rent payments, organizes client and operator files, and maintains the Land Management website, in addition to providing backup support to the Real Estate Sales Coordinator. In 2021, Amber moved into the HR Coordinator position where she helps with onboarding new hires and training. 

Mark joined the Marlette office in 2013 as an intern and started full-time in 2014 after graduating from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management and a minor in Agronomy. In 2017, Mark became a Certified General Appraiser. Mark focuses on unique and specialty agricultural property appraisals and recently earned his Accredited Rural Appraiser (ARA) designation.

Matt Vangilder has been with Peoples Company since May of 2021. His main focus is on agricultural and recreational land. Matt is an Arkansas native and attended Arkansas State University where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business and a Master of Science in Agricultural Business and Economics. Matt is an avid outdoorsman that is passionate about hunting and fishing. He comes from a family with deep agricultural roots in Arkansas and is involved in his family’s row crop operation that produces cotton, corn, and soybeans in Northeast Arkansas. Matt is licensed to sell real estate in Arkansas.

Expertise

Brad grew up on a farm near New Sharon, Iowa. He spent his summers working for local farmers choring, baling hay, and helping with field work. Brad is an avid outdoorsman, and specializes in recreational and combination type farms, and also has experience with tillable farm land.

Affiliations

• DMARR

• IRLI

• NRLI

• RLI

• ALC

Education

Brad attended DMACC in 1995, then ISU from 1996-1999. Brad has managed his own construction business since he started in 1999.

Troy grew up on a row crop & livestock farm in southcentral Iowa.  He learned the importance of a strong work ethic at a young age and has carried that same mindset into his adult years.  After graduating from Grand View College, Troy spent 9 years with Ruan Transportation managing trucking terminals & customer accounts.  He spent the next 9 years with Target Corporation on the executive team & assisted in the successful start-up of 2 regional distribution centers.  Due to his strong passion for agriculture, Troy made the change & commitment to obtain his real estate license and move to Colorado to sell real estate.  He has been selling farm & ranch real estate in Colorado, Nebraska & Kansas since he made the transition into real estate in 2011.  During that timeframe, he sold irrigated, dryland, CRP & farm acreages while developing strong relationships.  He owns land in CO, NE & IA and harnesses the knowledge to assist Buyers & Sellers of farmland, pasture, CRP & recreational land.  In his spare time, Troy enjoys spending time with his wife Dena & their 3 children & also running, working on muscle cars and working on the farm.

Accreditations:
Realtor, Peoples Company – Licensed to sell real estate in Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas & Wyoming..

Affiliations:
National Association of Realtors
Colorado Association of Realtors
Logan County Board of Realtors
Kansas Association of Realtors

Education:
Grand View College; Bachelor of Arts
Major: Political Science
Minor: Business
CDL

BIO

Kyle Walker oversees the Land and Asset Management Division for Peoples Company. The management team strives to expand and develop progressive farm strategies across the country. Kyle is responsible for streamlining internal processes, implementing sustainable management practices, managing institutional assets, and expanding custom farming through Peoples Company’s Direct Operations platform. Over the course of Kyle’s sixteen years of experience in the industry, he continues to create personal relationships with each client while expanding People’s Company’s national footprint. In 2021, Kyle was honored to receive the National 2021 Farm Manager of the Year Presented by the ASMFRA, the Scoop magazine, and Syngenta. Kyle is an Accredited Farm Manager (AFM), Accredited Agricultural Consultant (AAC), and Certified Agricultural Consultant (CAC).

EDUCATION

• Iowa State University, B.S. 2004, Ames, IA

EXPERIENCE

• Custom farming and direct asset operations
• Management and Implementing Leading Harvest across management platforms
• Consulting centered around streamlining operations and processes
• Organic crop production, organic transition, and overseeing organic assets
• Team building and human resource development
• USDA compliance and certification
• State and federal cost-share assistance through EQIP, CSP, and IDALS
• Cover crop cost-share, utilization, and implementation
• Enterprise crop budgeting and/or entire operational budgets
• Investment and institutional management for ownership entities across the country
• In-season agronomic management and input selection
• Enrollment and management of land in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
• Court-appointed Receiver
• Court-ordered Referee involving partition actions
• Expert court witness concerning leasing and farm management
• Experience working with difficult family dynamics

AFFILIATIONS, ACCREDITATIONS, & AWARDS

• 2021 Professional Farm Manager of the Year (Presented by Syngenta, The Scoop - Farm Journal, and ASFMRA)
• American Society of Farm Managers & Rural Appraisers, Accredited Farm Manager (AFM)
• American Society of Farm Managers & Rural Appraisers, Accredited Agricultural Consultant (AAC)
• American Society of Agricultural Consultants, Certified Agricultural Consultant (CAC)
• American Society of Agriculture Consultants, Board Member & Current President
• 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 Peoples Company Top Income Producer - Management Division
• 2019 Peoples Company “A Player” of the Year Award
• Peoples Company Board Member                           
• Iowa Chapter ASFMRA Board Member (Director)    
• Iowa Association of REALTORS®                                
• National Association of REALTORS®
• National ASFMRA Foundation Legacy Funding Committee

Expertise

Tyler Weaver is a Certified General Real Property Appraiser and joined Peoples Company in the Fall of 2019.  Tyler attended Northwest Missouri State University and graduated in December 2013 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Business with a Minor in Animal Science.  Tyler started his appraisal career in 2014 with a focus on agricultural properties in Iowa and Missouri and became fully licensed in 2018.  With an agricultural background and experience appraising farmland in Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois, Tyler has the knowledge and ability to provide quality appraisal reports with quick turn-around times.

Licenses Held

Certified General Appraiser in Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois

Licensed Real Estate Agent in Missouri

Professional Affiliations   

Associate Member of the American Society of Farm Managers & Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA)

National Association of Realtors

National Auctioneers Association

Education

Northwest Missouri State University (2013)

- Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business

- Minor in Animal Science

World Wide College of Auctioneering (2019)

Michelle brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Peoples Company, a nationally recognized land company and advisory firm offering services throughout the United States, by utilizing and improving the platform for the company’s core businesses of appraisal, land & farm management, an award-winning auction division, and industry-leading brokerage business. Her diverse 25 plus years of real estate experience includes facilitating land transactions as well as commercial, rural, and recreational properties. She represents landowners to assist in the acquisition or disposition of farm and land assets through traditional listings and a variety of land auction formats.

Michelle is communicative, thorough, and detail-oriented. Her commitment to delivering valued customer solutions has benefited major clients to include financial institutions, governmental agencies, bankruptcy trustees, and individual sellers. Michelle has the proven experience to support and guide buyers through the property procurement process. As the real estate industry evolves, Shelly continues to identify innovative approaches to deliver unique and tailored customer value.

Areas of Expertise

• Farm Land
• Real Estate Auctions
• Hobby Farms
• Recreational Properties
• Institutional Investor Portfolio Creation
• Strategic Marketing
• Real Estates Acquisitions
• Valuation of Real Estate

Education and Certification

• Licensed Real Estate Broker:
  • Minnesota
  • North Dakota
  • South Dakota
  • Wisconsin
  • Nebraska

World Wide College of Auctioneering

• Professional Ringmen's Institute

Community Focus

• Volunteer and Board Member of Midwest Outdoors Unlimited

Memberships

• Realtors Land Institute
• National Association of Realtors
• Minnesota Auctioneers Association
• Minnesota Commercial Area Realtors
• North Star MLS

Michelle grew up on a hobby farm in Central Minnesota. She enjoys the outdoors, horseback riding, fishing, hunting, and kayaking, as well as spending time with her family! A proud mom of three grown boys and five grandsons.

Expertise

Andrew Westlake is the Vice President and Managing Broker of Peoples Company. A native of Bozeman, Montana,  he grew up on a farm  raising wheat and barley alongside a horse and cattle ranching operation.

Andrew and his family currently reside in Ames, Iowa where he attended Iowa State University and spent a number of years in the banking, financial services and insurance industries before joining Peoples Company in 2008. He is licensed as Peoples Company’s managing broker in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, Wisconsin, Kansas, Mississippi, Georgia, Washington, Florida, Oregon, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Idaho, Florida, Michigan, Alabama and Colorado.  Licensed in 21 states, he actively lists and sells land and manages commercial properties across the country and is a member of the National Association of Realtors, the Iowa Association of Realtors, Des Moines Area Association of Realtors, Realtor's Association of Southern Minnesota, Arkansas Realtor's Association and Realtor's Land Institute. 

Andrew utilizes skills learned throughout his career in real estate and during his time as an IT professional to solve problems and create opportunities for property owners, investors and potential buyers.  He has served as a court appointed Reciever for a host of large commercial foreclosures and has rehabilitated and liquidated numerous REO investment portfolios. Andrew focuses on building lasting relationships with, and delivering innovative solutions to, our clients. 

Affiliations

National Association of Realtors

Iowa Association of Realtors

Des Moines Area Association of Realtors

Iowa Commercial Real Estate Association

Realtor's Association of Southern Minnesota

Arkansas Realtor's Association

Dave has more than 40 years of professional leadership experience in natural resource conservation with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and in the private sector. Starting as a conservation aid in Missouri helping a technician survey and design terraces, Dave worked in numerous locations throughout the United States, culminating his career as Chief of the NRCS from January 2009 to December 2012. As Chief, Dave led, directed, and managed the nation’s largest private lands natural resource conservation organization. At his time as Chief, NRCS’s annual budget exceeded $4 billion, employed almost 11,000 professional staff, and worked out of 2,800 offices across the United States and its territories.

During his time as Chief, Dave’s North Star encompassed three goals: 1) Make conservation more accessible; 2) Engage new partners in supporting conservation; and 3) Develop and test new approaches that provide farmers, ranchers, and their communities with a more varied set of tools and incentives.

To this end, he was responsible for several innovations in conservation programs including the development and implementation of natural resource initiatives. These initiatives were unique in that the Agency moved away from its previous way of evenly distributing funding across the country (regardless of resource issues) to shifting funds to specific areas to solve precise resource concerns. By increasing both funding and technical assistance on identified resource issues, the Agency began the long process of reversing and solving many of the Nation’s most vexing resource problems.

Dave was directly responsible for initiating 15 landscape initiatives, focusing on a variety of regionally important resource issues from wildlife species, such as the greater sage grouse and lesser prairie chicken, to water quality in Mississippi River Basin, Great Lakes, and Chesapeake Bay, to iconic landscapes such as the New England forests and North Central wetlands.

Dave was also responsible for moving NRCS toward Soil Health and under his leadership the Agency launched the first Soil Health information campaign in 2012.

Dave has also spent significant time on Capitol Hill. In 2001 he served on a detail to Indiana Senator Richard Lugar and helped developed the conservation title of the 2002 Farm Bill. In 2007, he was detailed to Iowa Senator Tom Harkin’s office in Washington, D.C., where he helped craft the conservation title of the 2008 Farm Bill.

Currently, Dave serves as president of Ecosystem Services Exchange which focused on advancing edge-of-field conservation practices to improve water quality. He is also partner in the 9b Group, a benefit corporation dedicated to conservation and the sustainability of our natural resources.

Dave is married, has two grown children, one grandson, and three rescue dogs. Dave refuses to watch TV, believes that dogs are the most wonderful species on Earth, and still marvels that he somehow managed to graduate from the University of Missouri.

Erika joined Peoples Company in 2021. Erika has been around her family real estate business since she was a young girl. She attended the Arkansas Academy of Real Estate in 2020. Erika currently serves on the Nettleton Schools Education Foundation Committee, as well as the Smile Foundation Committee and Northeast Arkansas Board of Realtors. Erika enjoys serving her community and is looking forward to serving Northeast Arkansas for all of their real estate needs.

Mark Williams has been licensed as a Certified General Appraiser since 1994 and has obtained his designation as an “Accredited Rural Appraiser” from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. He has extensive knowledge and experience with all types of agricultural properties including animal production facilities, grain storage systems, permanent plantings, certified organic cropland, and recreational tracts. He also is considered a leading expert in the valuation of market analyses, eminent domain, Yellow Book, conservation easements, and partial interest appraisals. Mark is also a qualified reviewer for Yellow Book and Eminent Domain appraisals and is a two-time President of the Michigan Chapter of ASFRMA. Mark has served on the ASFRMA National Education and Accreditation Committee as Vice Chairman.

Mark and his wife Debi are blessed with six children, 17 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. They also operate a 90-acre, certified organic hay farm and enjoy traveling in their spare time. In the past three years, they have also been active with Samaritan's Purse mission teams, assisting with rebuilding homes in flood-ravaged areas of North Carolina, West Virginia, and Louisiana.

Adam's entire career, spanning the last 27 years, has been focused on the regional agricultural industry with many of those years spent in farm and food production management and operations. Since 2006, he has been specializing in the representation of clients involved in large agribusiness transfers totaling tens of millions of dollars. With his extensive agribusiness background and hands-on agricultural experience, he is able to understand and appreciate the unique needs of agricultural business and real estate owners throughout the process of divestment or acquisition much better than a generalist real estate broker. Adam is obsessed with placing his client’s needs above his own and always takes the ethical and moral high ground in all dealings.

Adam also considers one of his most important attributes, which can be directly related to years of involvement in the agricultural community, to be a highly ingrained work ethic and belief that hard work and attention to detail will always assist him in exceeding his client’s expectations. Adam's formal education consists of an Associate of Arts degree and extensive, additional undergraduate work in agricultural business and science with ongoing education in commercial real estate business operations, valuation and marketing.  Adam is licensed to sell real estate in Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana.

Adam's passion is agribusiness. His ambition is to exceed expectations while assisting clients in the realization of their goals.  Adam would love to put that passion and ambition to work for you!

Expertise

Doug Yegge is the Broker at Peoples Company located in DeWitt, Iowa.

For almost four decades, Doug has sold farmland throughout the Midwest. These years of experience have given him an unusual depth of knowledge in real estate matters.  Doug enjoys “the feeling of accomplishment when a real estate transaction is completed and both parties — seller and buyer — are satisfied.”  He specializes in land sales and 1031 Tax Free Exchanges and is licensed in the states of Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Arkansas, Mississippi and Missouri.

Leah Young grew up in rural SW Kansas, but she considers Wichita her home where she raised her two sons, and she and Dan, her husband of 18 years, still reside.

Whether in her career or her home life, Leah can be defined by her pragmatic, confident approach to any project she undertakes. Her dedication and competence have led to satisfied
clients, a positive reputation for her employers, and a zest for the activities in which she is involved.

Being licensed in Kansas to sell real estate, and having graduated from the Professional Ringman’s Institute in Tennessee, Leah’s focus is assisting clients in the land auction process.

Molly Zaver has extensive experience in business operations, management and marketing. She joined the Peoples Company team in January 2017 and previously served as executive director of the Iowa Chapter of Realtors Land Institute (RLI) and executive secretary for the Iowa Chapter of American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA). During her time working with the Iowa Chapter of RLI, she led the Chapter to win the 2013 Chapter of the Year award and also earned the 2015 Chapter Administrator of the Year award from the National Realtors Land Institute. She has also served as executive director of the Bondurant Area Chamber of Commerce and Bondurant Development, Inc.

After her battle with cancer in 2011, she founded Can Do Cancer, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization providing free support services for women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. She serves as its board president and previously served on the board of directors for the Ankeny Art Center and Bondurant Community Library Foundation.

Molly is a member of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers and serves on its Scholarship Committee. She is also a member of the Realtors Land Institute where she has served on the National Future Leaders Committee.

Molly graduated from the University of Iowa with a bachelor of business administration degree in marketing. She has a broker associate license to sell real estate in Iowa and Minnesota.

Ross joined the Peoples Company team in December of 2021 as part of the Land Brokerage Division, focusing on agriculture, recreational, and residential real estate. He graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree and an Ag Business Minor. Ross has a passion for farming and improving his family farm in Carlisle, Iowa.

Andrew Zellmer is a land agent and shareholder of Peoples Company, a nationally recognized land transaction and advisory firm that offers land brokerage, land management, land appraisal and land investment services in twenty-two states across the country.  At Peoples Company, Andrew focuses on serving the land brokerage and land investment needs of land owners, investors and operators. With his in-depth industry knowledge and backed by a collaborative team at Peoples Company, Andrew is able to offer unmatched solutions to his clients. He works closely with landowners to market their properties through public auction, listings, and off market deals.  When farm operators look to expand their footprint in a region, Andrew helps source potential deals as well as finds capital sources, programs and innovative ideas that can help secure these acres for years to come. He also caters to the investor, facilitating deals that meet client-directed investment mandates and are structured to maximize investment returns.  

In recognition for his hard work and dedication, Andrew has received the National REALTORS® Land Institute (“RLI”) Apex Award in 2017, 2018 and 2019 for being a top producing land agent in the United States.  He also won the 2017 Deal of the Year Award from the Iowa RLI Chapter.  In addition, Andrew was the recipient of the “A” Player award for Peoples Company in 2018 and also received Peoples Company’s Top Producer Award in both 2017 and 2019.  Andrew is a proud graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, where he graduated with a double major in Finance and Real Estate in 2012.

Associations

• REALTORS® Land Institute
• National Association of Realtors
• Iowa Auctioneers Association

Richard has 20+ years of agriculture experience in both production and Land Management. He grew up on a family farm in southeastern Idaho growing sugar beets, small grains, and alfalfa. This helped create his passion for agriculture. He graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Ag Business and Business.

Richard connected with a farm management company out of college whom he worked with for almost 20 years. He has farmed in the Willamette Valley growing grass seed and vegetable crops and in the Columbia Basin growing potatoes, sweet corn, field corn, carrots, and canola. Most recently he spent 7 years in Iowa managing an investment farm portfolio in Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri. Richard brings experience in a variety of crops and growing practices. He understands the importance of working hard but most importantly working smart, utilizing all the resources available to make the best decisions.

Richard has been able to return to Idaho and spent the last year as an Ag Lender for Zions Bank in Idaho. This helped him to understand the financial metrics necessary for a farm and ranch to succeed in an ever-changing economic environment.

Land Management Experience

• Understands production practices in variety of row crops, both irrigated and non-irrigated
• Develop capital and crop budgets
• Manage land improvement projects to enhance property value and production returns
• Maintain historical records for farm inputs, yield records and capital improvements
• Create irrigation plans to effectively schedule, apply, and report water usage
• Collaborate with landowners and farm operators for best management strategy
• Achieve compliance with government programs, sustainable programs, and contract terms
• Perform due diligence for farmland acquisitions
• Execute farm leases

Richard joined Peoples Company in 2021 as a Land Manager in the Pacific Northwest. He is excited to help landowners reach their investment goals and farm operators to reach their production goals.