2023 Annual Meeting & Director Elections

2023 Director Candidates

Four candidates are seeking election for two seats in 2023. The nominating committee conducted an extensive candidate search starting with an orientation session in the early summer, followed by fall Customer Service Council meetings, a committee conference call in December and an interview meeting in January. Following are this year's candidates.

Seat One

Nominated from the Central Region: Bridgeton, Claverack, Cooperstown, Flemington, Greenwich and Middletown offices.

Kurt William Alstede (age 59), of Chester, NJ, is primary owner and general manager of Alstede Farms, LLC, an 800-acre vertically integrated direct-to-consumer fruit and vegetable farm. Learn more about Kurt

Amy L. Walker-Bailey (age 58) of Fort Ann, NY, is chief financial officer of her family’s three businesses: Walker Farms, LLC, a 1,300-cow family dairy operation with 2,700 crop acres of hay and corn; MGK Enterprises, LLC, a contract hauling trucking company; and Walker’s Farm, Home & Tack, a retail farm store. Learn more about Amy

Seat Two

Nominated from the Western Region: Batavia, Burrville, Cortland, Geneva, Hornell and Mayville offices. 

Robert James Colby (age 64), of Spencerport, NY, is vice president and co-owner of Colby Homestead Farms, Inc., a 285-cow dairy with 1,800 crop acres of corn, alfalfa, wheat and soybeans. Learn more about Robert

Brett D. Kreher (age 55), of Clarence, NY, is partner at Kreher Family Farms (and related entities), an egg production business raising approximately two million hens that produce conventional, organic and pastured organic eggs across three locations. Learn more about Brett

Meet the 2023 Director Candidates

Hear from the four candidates about why they seek your vote in this year's Board of Director election. In this short video, all candidates were interviewed at their place of business, answering questions about their background and operation; their involvement in agriculture organizations and other leadership experience; what they'd bring to the Farm Credit East Board of Directors; and why members should vote for them.
Headshots of four 2023 director candidates.