Four of our professional farm managers are licensed State of Illinois Real Estate Brokers, and two are State Certified General Appraisers specializing in farmland appraisals. Our farm managers were all raised with a farm background and have the minimum of a B.S. degree. All managers receive continuing education in farm management, real estate sales, and rural appraisals every year to assure that our customers receive the best up-to-date services available in the industry.
Raised on a farm in McLean County, Jim received a B.S. degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Illinois in 1979 after which he returned to the family farm. He began his career in 1986 with Magna Trust Company where he was named head of the Decatur Agricultural Services Center in 1994, then named head of the Agricultural Services division in 1997. When Union Planters Bank purchased Magna Bank in 1998, Jim went on to become head of their Agricultural Services division overseeing 115,000 acres of farmland in 10 states. Bruce Huber and Jim purchased the farm management contracts from Union Planters Bank in August 2001 and then joined Hickory Point Bank & Trust, fsb as Vice President of Agricultural Services in October 2001, and presently is Senior Vice President. Jim is an Accredited Farm Manager, Licensed State of Illinois Managing Real Estate Broker, member of the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Alumni Association, Past President of the Board of Directors of the Decatur Memorial Foundation, Past President of the Decatur Noon Kiwanis Club, President of the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Decatur, and member of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.
Bruce was raised on a grain and dairy farm in Montgomery County. He earned a B.S. degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Illinois in 1984 after which he began his career working with Farm Credit Services of Southern Illinois. In 1988, Bruce joined Magna Trust Company as a Farm Manager and Rural Appraiser. In 1994, he was named head of Real Estate Brokerage and Appraisal and continued this role for Union Planters Bank when they purchased Magna in 1998. Bruce and James Schroeder purchased the Agricultural Services division from Union Planters Bank in August 2001 and then joined Hickory Point Bank & Trust, fsb as Vice President of Agricultural Services in October 2001, and presently is Senior Vice President. Bruce is a State Certified General Appraiser, Licensed State of Illinois Managing Real Estate Broker, Licensed Auctioneer, Accredited Farm Manager and an Accredited Rural Appraiser. He is a member of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, a member and past President of the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, and a member of the Macon County AG Boosters.
Dale received his B.S. degree in Animal Science from the University of Illinois in 1992. Following graduation, he spent three months in Switzerland learning different agricultural practices. Upon returning to the United States, Dale began his career with Magna Trust Company in 1993. In 1999, he was named Assistant Vice President of Union Planters Agricultural Division and in August 2001 continued that role with Schroeder/Huber LLC. On October 1, 2001, he joined Hickory Point Bank & Trust, fsb as Assistant Vice President of Agricultural Services, is in charge of the Southern Region, and presently is Vice President. Dale is a Licensed State of Illinois Real Estate Broker, an Accredited Farm Manager and a State Certified General Appraiser. He is a member of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.
Brennen T. Kraft
Farm Manager
Contact Brennen Kraft Today
Office: 217.872.6294
Brennen comes from a farming background on a grain and goat farm in McLean County. He received a B.S. degree in Agriculture Economics with a concentration in Agribusiness Markets and Management from the University of Illinois in May of 2017. Brennen is an associate Trainee Appraiser and is a member of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. He joined First Illinois Ag Group in May, 2017.
Mark J. Nappier
Associate Appraiser
Contact Mark Nappier Today
Office: 618.622.9465
Mark comes from Valmeyer, IL, a small farming community just south of St. Louis. He received his associate degree from Southwestern Illinois College and completed his Bachelor of Science degree at Southeast Missouri State with a concentration in Agribusiness. Mark is a member of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers and joined First Illinois Ag Group in May, 2021.
Megan E. Finfrock
Farm Manager
Contact Megan Finfrock Today
Office: 217.872.6299
Megan was raised on her family’s grain farm in DeWitt County. She attended the University of Illinois where she earned a B.S. degree in Agricultural Economics with a concentration in Farm Management and an M.S. degree in Agriculture and Applied Economics with a concentration in Agricultural Markets and Finance in May of 2022. She completed internships in farm management and with Farm Credit. Megan joined First Illinois Ag Group in June of 2022.
Mark Winkler
Broker
Contact Mark Winkler Today
Office: 618.973.6403
Services offered by Hickory Point Bank & Trust’s Stock Transfer Department are not FDIC-insured, are not deposits or other obligations of Hickory Point Bank and have no bank guarantee, and are subject to investment risk including possible loss of principal value.
