Adam Torres and Kayla Robinson discuss Texas FFA.
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Show Notes:
Texas FFA prepares students for many of life’s challenges. In this episode, Adam Torres interviewed Kayla Robinson, CEO at AgTexas Farm Credit. Explore how Texas FFA helped prepare her early on for a successful career in finance.
Watch Full Interview:
About Kayla Robinson
“Kayla’s leadership experience, knowledge of Association operations and passion for agriculture align with the mission of AgTexas. We are confident in her ability, with the support of an outstanding team, to effectively lead this organization into the future.”
Kayla has 19 years of experience with AgTexas. She began in 2003 as an intern before moving to a credit officer role for 11 years. Robinson joined the senior management team in 2016, where she specialized in human resources and operations.
Combined with her years of experience in credit, human resources and operations, Kayla has the real-world experience needed to lead AgTexas.
Receiving her Bachelor of Science in agricultural and applied economics from Texas Tech University, and later a Master of Business Administration, Robinson went on to receive her Certificate of Leadership from Texas Tech University in 2015.
Kayla has remained active with the university serving on the Davis College of Agriculture Advisory Board, Matador Institute of Leadership Engagement Advisory Board and Texas Tech Mentor MILE Program. In 2021, she received the Distinguished Alumni award from Texas Tech University and was recognized by Farm Credit Council Services as the 2021 Accelerator of the Year.
“I am honored and humbled to be named president and CEO of AgTexas,” Robinson said. “I believe in AgTexas, our employee team and our loyal stockholders. Working together, doing the right thing every time, every day, every one, we will build upon past successes while forging ahead to a bright future for agriculture and rural America.”
About AgTexas Farm Credit
AgTexas Farm Credit Services is a rural lending cooperative, providing competitive and reliable credit to Texas farmers, ranchers and rural property owners since 1934. Their lenders understand the unique needs of agriculture and customize loans to fit producers’ financing needs.
Full Unedited Transcript
Hey, I’d like to welcome you to another episode of Mission Matters. My name is Adam Torres and I’m so happy and proud to announce I’m at the 95th Annual Texas F F A convention, and my guest today is Kayla Robinson, who is the C e O of Ag Texas Farm Credit. Hey, Kayla, just wanna say, first off, welcome to the show.
Yes. Thanks for having me. Alright, Kayla. So lot going on here today. Lots of blue jackets. I’ll tell you, this is my second time covering the convention and I mean, I’m always excited the, the, the energy, the kids, the, the members. It’s just infectious. Um, why do you come here? So we are proud to support the youth of agriculture ’cause really it is the future.
We think of, of looking at all of these students in the, in the blue corduroy. They’re the leaders of the industry in the future, and so we’re proud to be here to support them. Um, I’ll also say that I used to wear that blue corduroy jacket when I was in high school, and so it’s something that is really important to me and instilled a lot of values in me.
So I wanna, I wanna stay, um, on those earlier days a little bit longer. I didn’t know you were a former member, so this is exciting for me and wait till you hear some more about Kayla’s story. But, um, those early years, like, what did that mean, like that connection or being part of, of the f f A for you? So one, when you’re a part of the F F A, it’s something to be very proud of.
Just that feeling you get when you put the official dress on. Mm-hmm. And you know that it is something that has been around for 95 years, um, and something that you can be proud going into communities. It builds a lot of leadership skills. Um, I competed in several of the contests. That were available through, um, F F A.
I was also, um, an area officer, so area four I grew up in, in Stephenville and was able to do that and just met lots of friends over those years. Um, just a strong affection for F F a. Hmm. And so now let, let’s go a little bit further. So f f A, then obviously college, we get into the, in the professional life.
Like, tell us a little bit more about how you kind of roast through the ranks. Okay, so, um, when I graduated high school, I went to Texas Tech University, um, and got a degree in ag economics. Um, throughout that time, I already knew where I wanted to work. Mm-hmm. Um, so I knew about AG Texas from growing up.
My parents were borrowers and so I already knew, um, I was one of those weird people. Wait, you knew that earlier? I knew actually. I knew in junior high. I’m not lying. I knew in junior high. Uh, what I wanted to do. So I was one of those kind of nerds that, that did that. But, um, so whenever I was in college at Texas Tech, I went to Ag Texas and I asked them for an internship.
Wow. Um, they didn’t even have one available at the time. Um, but I was persistent enough where they allowed me, um, to intern at the company. Um, and just kind of start, you know, getting to know everybody, get embedded in the culture and learn everything there is about ag lending. Wow, that’s so, that’s so interesting to me.
First that you knew that young, what you wanted to do, and then you, you, you got your internship, you were persistent, and then so, so what happened next? So when I graduated, um, with my bachelor’s degree, I went to work for AG Texas. I worked, um, in our credit department for 12 years. Um, and that’s where I really learned why we do what we do.
Um, ’cause it really is about that, that borrower, um, we’re cooperative and so, um, we’re owned by our customers and what that means to them is that they have a say in the way that our company runs. Mm-hmm. Um, but it also means that all we do is agriculture. Mm-hmm. So we are not doing the loans that some of the commercial banks.
Do. Yeah. Uh, which basically means that in the good times and the bad Ag Texas is there for our customers. Yeah. And that’s really what I learned, um, during that phase of my career is this is their livelihood. Mm-hmm. And it’s, it, what they do really does feed and clothe the world. Um, and it, it’s something.
Just huge to be a part of and exciting to be a part of. Um, so after I had been in credit, I had the opportunity, I actually worked in human resources. Um, so I kind of had an odd career path to get to where I am. Um, and then I was Chief Operating Officer, um, before having the opportunity to be the, the C E O.
Wow. I, I already know the title of this one from, from intern to c e o, like the Chronicles, like the, it’s, it’s amazing. I want, can you talk a little bit more, ’cause I don’t know much about it. So the, um, the agricultural side of lending, you mentioned that absolutely you specialize in that. Like, what’s unique about that?
So literally all we do is ag loan. So if it doesn’t have anything to do with agriculture, we’re not doing it. Mm-hmm. What that means is, is in a year where, you know, in West Texas, it doesn’t rain. Yeah. And so there may not be a crop or, you know, cattle prices tank or you know, the, the milk prices tank, something like that.
We understand those ups and downs of agriculture and we’re gonna be there for those producers, um, because it is important that they have reliable credit and insurance services in order to continue. The, the amount of risk that these farmers and ranchers take every single year. They put everything on the line to, to really help enforce our nation’s security with our, with our food and fiber.
Mm-hmm. So what is one of your favorite parts? Now that you’re on the other side and you’re in corporate America, what’s one of your favorite parts of attending the the na, the convention. So I love the energy, the energy in these students. Everybody says that if somebody’s been watching this whole series, they’re gonna be like, why does that, what’s this energy?
Everybody keeps talking. I’m telling you. Come, you’ll see. It is, it is phenomenal. These kids are excited and they’re, they’re. They’re excited to be a part of something bigger, you know? And I think there’s that comradery that comes when they walk in and they’re, they’re in their official dress and it’s hot outside, but they come inside and they see all of these people, and it’s like immediate friendships and just opportunities to grow for these students.
Yeah, it’s, I mean, I find as an adult, me being an adult here, it’s just as much fun for me. Like I’m seeing this, it is it really’s. And now that it’s like my second year, I’m seeing some of the other people that I met last year and this and that, and it’s like I’m coming to see my friends too. It really is.
And these, I’m telling you, these are the best and brightest. Mm-hmm. They really are the best and the brightest students and they are the future of agriculture. Mm-hmm. And so anytime I get an opportunity to be around them and invest in them and get to know these students, it’s important for me to do that.
So this particular show, a lot of business owners, entrepreneurs, executives, watch it and, um, from, from many different industries, not just agriculture. Um, and what would you say to some of the other corporate leaders out there, why they should get involved or why they should have representation at Texas f f A or the f f A in general?
Uh, I really, I think it comes down to these, these are some of the absolute best leaders. Yeah. Um, that our high schools can produce. The, the Texas F F A association really invests in these students mm-hmm. And builds them. They’re, these are the ones that you wanna hire. Yeah. These are the ones that you wanted, your neighbors.
I mean, these are, um, salt of the earth, good, hardworking kids. Um, and they’re, it’s fantastic to be able to support them. Yeah. And I’ve noticed like you look out here and not everybody’s glued to their phone. I know, right? They’re nice. Yes, ma’am. Yes. They’re talking to each other. Actual, like communication is going on and I’m just shocked because I go to a lot of places, a lot of conferences, a lot of things, and I, I don’t, I rarely see that this is a very different like, Level of, I don’t know if the words maturity or like, I don’t know, what would you say?
Like what makes it different? You know, I think, I think F F A does a really good job of instilling that professionalism in students. Um, and as someone who speaks in, you know, college classes and stuff, it’s not something you see every day. Um, None of these students would choose to wear the official dress, you know, as their normal day-to-day outfits.
Right? Yeah. Um, but there’s something happens when they put that on and they know the importance and they know the history. Um, and I think they’re proud to wear it. Hmm. I’ll tell you, it. Been, I look forward to every year coming to this. I can’t wait to the next one. I’m gonna, I’m gonna keep on coming to it and I hope to see you again the next time.
Yes. Um, I, I, I have to, I have to circle back on this one. So you start as an intern. Are you out here recruiting too as well? Like that’s, I am always recruiting. I say that all the time. I am, I am in recruiting mode. All the time. Absolutely. Oh, I love it. Well, Kayla, I really appreciate you making some time for us and coming on this show, and I appreciate you being a leader in the community and also a living testament from starting there all the way up to internship, all the way up to c e o.
I mean, it’s just a great, great success story and a testament to the great work that Texas F f A is doing and the f f A organization really to breed and to, to grow and cultivate, I should say, our our future leaders. So thank you again for coming on the show. Yes, absolutely. I enjoyed it.
