Central Texas Farm Credit CEO announces retirement

EARLY, Texas — Central Texas Farm Credit (CTFC) Chief Executive Officer Jimmy Chambers announces his retirement after a 36-year career with the Farm Credit System. CTFC board of directors appoints Zach May to succeed Chambers on July 1, 2023. 

Chambers has been part of Farm Credit since 1987 when he began his career as a loan officer trainee at Western Federal Land Bank Association in Marfa, Texas. Since then, Chambers has served Farm Credit in capacities such as loan officer, branch manager and chief credit officer. Chambers was named CTFC CEO in 2011.

“I have been blessed to work with and do business with a lot of awesome people during my Farm Credit career,” Chambers said. “Over the years I’ve developed friendships with coworkers and customers that will remain long after I’m gone from CTFC. Our staff, our senior management team, and our board of directors are all fully engaged and focused on providing a great experience to our customers and our employees. I believe the board made an excellent decision in naming Zach May as my successor, and I’m excited to see what great things the future has in store for CTFC under his leadership.”

Chambers will remain CEO until June 30, 2023, to provide guidance and support the transition.

“Jimmy has invested boundless time and energy, as well as insightful leadership, in our association,” Robby Halfmann, CTFC board chairman said. “Jimmy has fostered a culture of trust, teamwork, and fun with our team. We appreciate everything he has done for our association.”

CTFC’s board of directors and leadership team have a long history of staff development and succession planning, allowing the cooperative to be well-positioned for Chambers’ departure. The naming of May as the successor is the culmination of this process.

“We (the board) are proud of our organization and everything that has been achieved through our outstanding team members,” Halfmann said. “We congratulate Zach, and we look forward to working with the new management team to explore additional ways to continue to provide exceptional service to our members.”

May has served as CTFC chief operating officer for 12 years. Previously, he was the operations manager at CTFC and a senior credit analyst with another Farm Credit association in Texas. He also spent more than three years as an examiner with the Farm Credit Administration. May holds a bachelor’s degree in international affairs and a master’s degree in public policy, both from Texas A&M University. May is also a graduate of the Southwestern School of Graduate Banking.

“It has been a privilege to work for and learn from Jimmy, and I look forward to carrying out and building on the vision that he and the board have for CTFC,” May said. “I wish him the best and thank him for all that he has done for me and this association.”