Offices & officials

The FCA board manages, administers, and establishes policies for FCA. The board approves the policies, regulations, charters, and examination and enforcement activities that ensure a strong FCS. The board also provides for the examination and supervision of the FCS, including Farmer Mac, and oversees the activities of the FCS Building Association, which acquires, manages, and maintains FCA headquarters and field office facilities. 

The chairman of the FCA board serves as the chief executive officer (CEO). The CEO enforces the rules, regulations, and orders of the FCA board. He or she directs the implementation of policies and regulations adopted by the FCA board. The Office of the Chief Executive Officer plans, organizes, directs, coordinates, and controls FCA's day-to-day operations and leads the agency’s efforts to achieve and manage a diverse workforce. Glen R. Smith is the board chairman and CEO.

The chief operating officer (COO) has broad responsibility for planning, directing, and controlling the operations of the Offices of Agency Services, Examination, Regulatory Policy, Data Analytics and Economics, Information Technology, Chief Financial Officer, and General Counsel in accordance with the operating philosophy and policies of the FCA board. He or she supervises and provides policy direction to the executive staff responsible for managing these offices. The COO oversees and coordinates the development and implementation of the agency-wide strategic, operating, and budget plans and activities. The COO also coordinates the resolution of internal policy, personnel, and program issues with agency executive leadership and the FCA board. 

Robert Coleman is chief operating officer. You can read more about Mr. Coleman on our Meet our leaders page. 

The Office of Agency Services manages and delivers human capital and administrative services for the agency. The office consists of three service delivery teams: Human Resources Division, Operations Division, and Learning and Organizational Change Team. Services provided include strategic human capital management, staffing and placement, job evaluation, compensation and benefits, payroll administration, performance management, awards, employee relations, employee training and development, property management, personnel security, continuity of operations and emergency preparedness, supply services, and mail service.

Vonda Bell is FCA’s chief human capital officer and the director of the Office of Agency Services. You can read more about Ms. Bell on our Meet our leaders page. 

The Office of the Chief Financial Officer supports FCA’s operations by providing financial management policy advice, reporting the agency’s financial results, and facilitating the agency’s strategic planning efforts. The office manages the agency’s compliance with federal financial management requirements. It also reports on the accuracy and propriety of transactions, the extent to which assets are accounted for and safeguarded, and the adequacy of internal controls to detect and prevent material financial misstatements. It oversees the agency’s budget, the investments committee, the FCS assessments, and the agency’s purchasing, credit card, and travel/relocation programs. It also facilitates the agency’s risk management and internal control efforts to help ensure operational and fiscal effectiveness and efficiency.

Stephen G. Smith is chief financial officer and director of the Office of the Chief Financial Officer. Previously, from 2005 to 2016, he served as the agency’s director of the Office of Management Services. From 2001 to 2005, he served as the agency's inspector general. He joined FCA in 1981 as a technical specialist. He is a commissioned FCA examiner and served in several leadership roles, including associate regional director for the Albany, New York field office; senior staff director for the chief examiner; and director of the Technical and Operations Division. In 1993, he assumed responsibilities as director of the Information Resources Division. He was named chief information officer in 1996, directing all technology and information operations for FCA. Before joining the agency, he worked at the North Central Jersey Farm Credit Association.  

The Office of Congressional and Public Affairs serves as the agency’s principal point of contact for Congress, the media, other government agencies, FCS institutions, employees, System borrowers, and the public. The office develops and monitors legislation pertinent to FCA and the FCS, serves as the agency’s congressional liaison, facilitates intergovernmental relations, and prepares testimony for the chairman and other board members. It also provides information to external audiences through news releases, fact sheets, reports, videos, and other publications. The office cultivates relationships with media representatives who report on matters related to agriculture and rural credit, and it manages the content of the FCA website and social media channels. It also organizes special meetings, briefings for international visitors, and field hearings. 

Michael Stokke is director of the Office of Congressional and Public Affairs. Before joining FCA, Mr. Stokke was founder and president of Prairie Strategies, a consulting firm based in Illinois, where he advised corporations and nonprofit organizations. He served as deputy chief of staff to former speaker of the House Dennis Hastert from February 1998 to October 2007. Prior to this, Mr. Stokke served as chief of staff for the Office of the Speaker in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1995 to 1998. He served as chief of staff for Representative Thomas W. Ewing of Illinois from 1991 through 1994. From 1987 to 1991, he was assistant director of personnel for the Office of the Governor of Illinois. He also served as assistant to the secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation from 1985 to 1987. 

The Office of Data Analytics and Economics evaluates strategic risks to the System and agency using data, analytics, economic trends, and other risk factors. Its staff members serve as stewards for agency data and provide information to the board and management for objective, evidence-based decision-making across FCA. The office facilitates an agencywide strategy for analytics and collaborates on business intelligence tools and the development of models to meet the strategic needs of the agency.

Jeremy D’Antoni is the agency’s chief data officer and director of the Office of Data Analytics and Economics. He was named to these positions in 2019. Since joining FCA in 2015, Mr. D’Antoni has helped the agency evaluate risks to agribusinesses and lenders by tracking commodity markets, farm policy, and rural economic issues. He has also helped improve the data analytics FCA uses to measure the System’s service to young, beginning, and small farmers and ranchers. Mr. D’Antoni is a CFA charterholder and holds a Ph.D. in agricultural economics and an undergraduate degree in finance from Louisiana State University. 

The Office of Examination is responsible for examining and supervising each FCS institution in accordance with the Farm Credit Act and applicable regulations. The office develops oversight plans; conducts examinations; monitors the System’s condition and current and emerging risks to the System; and develops supervisory strategies to ensure that the FCS operates in a safe and sound manner, complies with the law and regulations, and fulfills its public policy purpose. For more information about the role of the Office of Examination, read Examination Philosophy (Word) (Board Policy Statement FCA-PS-53). 

Roger Paulsen is the chief examiner and director of the Office of Examination. He was named to this position in October 2019. An FCA employee for over 36 years, Mr. Paulsen served as deputy chief examiner and deputy director of the Office of Examination from 2013 to 2019. He is also director of the Office of Examination's Risk Supervision Division.

The Office of General Counsel provides the FCA board and staff with legal counsel as well as guidance on the Farm Credit Act and general corporate, personnel, ethics, and administrative matters. The office supports the agency’s development and promulgation of regulations, enforcement of applicable laws and regulations, and implementation of conservatorships and receiverships. It represents and advises the agency on civil litigation. It also serves as the liaison to the Federal Register, administers the agency’s ethics program, and handles Freedom of Information Act requests.

Charles R. Rawls is the FCA general counsel. Before joining FCA in March 2003, he was general counsel and vice president for legal, tax, and accounting at the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. During the consideration of the 2002 farm bill, he served as the general counsel of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. From 1998 to 2001, he was general counsel for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and from 1993 to 1998 he was chief of staff to the deputy secretary of agriculture. From 1988 to 1993, he was legislative director and then administrative assistant to Congressman Martin Lancaster. From 1985 to 1988, he was associate general counsel of the House Committee on Agriculture. He was counsel to the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Forests, Family Farms, and Energy from 1983 to 1985.

The Office of Information Technology supports the information, solutions, and IT infrastructure that empower FCA to fulfill its mission. It is a respected partner in fulfilling FCA’s mission through innovative solutions. The office is responsible for protecting agency technology assets, planning and controlling information technology investments, leading change to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of agency operations, and maintaining compliance with IT regulatory mandates. It is responsible for continuing to leverage FCA’s investment in technology by collaborating across agency offices to identify and re-engineer business applications, data systems, and processes.

Jerald Golley is chief information officer (CIO) and director of the Office of Information Technology. Before joining FCA in November 2015, Mr. Golley had 25 years of IT management experience. Most recently, he was the deputy CIO for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission for six years. In 1996, he founded AMI Technical Consultants, Inc., a software development, internet hosting, and technical consulting company based in Denver; he served as chief executive officer there until 2009. He began his career as a programmer and geographic information system specialist at American Management Systems in Rosslyn, Virginia, where he worked from 1990 to 1994. Mr. Golley served in the 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army based out of Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, from 1982 to 1984. He holds a bachelor's degree in geography, with a minor in computer science from the State University of New York at Oneonta, as well as a Master of Arts in geography and geographic information systems from the State University of New York at Binghamton. 

The Office of Inspector General provides independent and objective oversight of agency programs and operations through audits, inspections, evaluations, investigations, and the review of proposed legislation and regulations. The office promotes economy and efficiency within FCA and seeks to prevent and detect fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the agency’s programs and operations.

Wendy Laguarda is inspector general. From May 2015 to July 2017, Ms. Laguarda served as executive assistant to the FCA board chairman and chief executive officer. She joined FCA's Office of General Counsel in 1990, eventually becoming assistant general counsel and the designated agency ethics official. She served as legal counsel for personnel issues and undertook assignments on rulemaking and policymaking. Before coming to FCA, Ms. Laguarda was an attorney adviser at the Office of Thrift Supervision and its predecessor agency, the Federal Home Loan Bank Board. In 1995 and again in 2004, she was detailed to the White House Counsel’s Office for brief periods to work on ethics issues. A graduate of Tufts University and George Washington University National Law Center, she is a member of the Maryland and District of Columbia Bars and is a mediator certified by the Supreme Court of Virginia.

The Office of Regulatory Policy manages policy and regulation development activities that ensure the safety and soundness of the FCS and support the System's mission. Policy and regulation development activities include the analysis of policy and strategic risks to the System on the basis of economic trends and other risk factors. The office also evaluates all regulatory and statutory prior approvals for System institutions on behalf of the FCA board, including chartering and other corporate approvals as well as funding approvals.

David Grahn is director of the Office of Regulatory Policy. He was named to this position in August 2019. Mr. Grahn joined FCA in early 2018 as associate general counsel in the Office of General Counsel. He came to FCA from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where he was serving as associate general counsel for the International Affairs, Food Assistance, and Farm and Rural Programs Division in the Office of General Counsel. Mr. Grahn was offered a clerkship in USDA’s Office of General Counsel when he was a student at the University of Minnesota Law School. After earning his law degree, he came back to USDA, where he built a 30-year career.

The Office of Secondary Market Oversight provides for the examination, regulation, and supervision of the activities of Farmer Mac to ensure its safety and soundness and the accomplishment of its public policy purpose as authorized by Congress. It also ensures that Farmer Mac complies with applicable laws and regulations, and it manages FCA’s enforcement activities with respect to Farmer Mac.

Laurie A. Rea is director of the Office of Secondary Market Oversight. She was named to this position in January 2011. Ms. Rea joined FCA in 1986 after graduating from San Diego State University. She has held several positions with the agency, beginning with the Office of Examination where she became a commissioned FCA examiner in 1989. In 1992, she joined the Office of Policy and Analysis (now the Office of Regulatory Policy), where she gained experience in policy and regulation development. From 2005 until 2011, Ms. Rea served as associate director and finance and capital markets team leader in the Office of Regulatory Policy, where she managed the approval of Systemwide debt securities and led the agency's regulatory capital and investment policy development. Ms. Rea is a chartered financial analyst from the CFA Institute and a certified risk professional.

The secretary to the board serves as the parliamentarian for the board and keeps permanent and complete records of the acts and proceedings of the board. He or she ensures that the board complies with statutory, regulatory, and internal operation reporting requirements. The secretary to the board also serves as secretary to the Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation board. In addition, he or she serves as the Sunshine Act official for the FCA board.

Dale L. Aultman became secretary to the FCA Board in January 2011. He began working at FCA in 1988. For the first 10 years, he worked in the Office of Examination, where he became a commissioned examiner. Then for 12 years, he was in the Office of Regulatory Policy, where he became a senior policy analyst. Mr. Aultman is a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians. In 2010, he became Virginia's eighth electronic notary. In 2007, he completed FCA's Supervisory Development Program. Mr. Aultman graduated with distinction from Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at the Southern Methodist University and holds a finance degree from the University of Oklahoma.

The Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Inclusion manages and directs the agencywide diversity, inclusion, and equal employment opportunity (EEO) program for FCA and FCSIC. The office serves as the chief liaison with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Office of Personnel Management on all EEO, diversity, and inclusion issues. The office provides counsel and leadership to agency management to carry out its continuing policy and program of nondiscrimination, affirmative action, and diversity.

Thais Burlew is director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Inclusion. You can read more about Ms. Burlew on our Meet our leaders page. 

The Designated Agency Ethics Official (DAEO) is designated by the FCA chairman to administer the provisions of title I of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, as amended, to coordinate and manage FCA's ethics program and to provide liaison to the Office of Government Ethics with regard to all aspects of FCA's ethics program.

Jane Virga is the designated agency ethics official. As DAEO, Ms. Virga administers the ethics program for FCA and the Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation. In addition to serving as DAEO, Ms. Virga is an assistant general counsel in the Office of General Counsel and the agency’s chief FOIA officer. She joined FCA in 1990 as an employee in the former Litigation and Enforcement Division. While at FCA, Ms. Virga has held the position of alternate DAEO, as well as deputy ethics official. Before joining FCA, she was a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps, where she served as a prosecutor and later as an administrative law attorney. A graduate of the University of Connecticut, Western New England University School of Law, and Georgetown Law School, she is a member of the Connecticut State Bar. 

You can read more about Ms. Virga on our Meet our employees page.