Richard Monson BAINBRIDGE - Richard Monson, president and chief executive officer of Southwest Georgia Farm Credit, announced that Mark Stevens has been named the Association's chief lending officer. Mr. Stevens, formerly of Atlanta, joined Farm Credit from Prudential Capital Group, where he served as chief credit officer.

"Mark brings an incredible amount of knowledge in the area of corporate lending policies, underwriting, operations and portfolio and asset management," Mon- son said. "Mark is a proven leader who will help us move our Association toward our growth and profitability targets. He brings a willingness to learn, listen, and above all, meet the needs of our customers."

Mr. Stevens has served in executive level positions at GMAC Commercial Finance, Bank of America and GE Capital Corporation. He earned a bachelor's degree at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and an MBA from the University of North Florida, Jacksonville.

About Southwest Georgia Farm Credit (www.swgafarmcredit. com): Headquartered in Bainbridge, Georgia, Southwest Georgia Farm Credit serves 21 counties in Georgia and is part of the AgFirst Farm Credit district, which covers 15 eastern states and Puerto Rico. The AgFirst district is part of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of agricultural and rural lending institutions cooperatively owned by their borrowers. Farm Credit helps maintain and improve the quality of life in rural America and on the farm, through its constant commitment to competitive lending and expert financial services.