BEHIND THE SCENES

In this behind the scenes, GreenStone employees share how their role allows them to support rural communities and agriculture!

Brian Peariso VP of Lending Bay City, MI

10 years of service

How does your role carry out GreenStone’s mission of supporting rural communities and agriculture.

I am the contact point, and the facilitator of the products Greenstone offers to our part time farm customers and to our rural resident customers. I provide them with sound advice and guidance as to what would best fit their needs.

What do you enjoy about your role?

Creating a best fit product scenario for our customers and new potential customers. Having the many years of lending and life experiences in my playbook, I feel I can give sound advice as to what direction customers could go, even if it does not lead to a new loan for GreenStone. I always try to do what is best for the customer.

What changes have been incorporated to meet evolving customer needs?

The ever-changing need for digital delivery of our products and services.

How do you see GreenStone moving forward?

I believe we continue to try and improve our delivery systems of our products and services. With the move to our new backend customer and loan system, Journey+, I hope this opens up more opportunities for improvements on the digital front for employees and customers alike.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I love spending time with my wife, Sandy, camping, hiking, biking, boating, traveling, and fishing. We live on over 18,000 acres of private land that we enjoy every day when we are at home.

Eric Vandivier Senior Tax Accountant

10

How does your role carry out GreenStone’s mission of supporting rural communities and agriculture. My role as a tax accountant is crucial for our customers, particularly as they approach year-end or look to make changes in their business (creating, selling, expanding, transitioning, etc.). I try to take the knowledge I have in tax, accounting and payroll law and pass that on to customers so that they can make the best financial decisions for their particular situation.

What do you enjoy about your role?

I enjoy being the go-to person for one of the most complicated issues our customers deal with. Taxes aren’t fun but they don’t have to be the headache that some people think they are. Tax accountants can be as trusted of an advisor as doctors or therapists. I enjoy building that personal relationship with my customers as well.

What changes have been incorporated to meet evolving customer needs?

Tax laws and regulations change on an almost annual basis. So, no tax year is ever the same. My role requires me to stay on top of all these changes so I can educate and serve my customers to the best of my ability.

How do you see GreenStone moving forward?

Our department has gone through a good deal of changes since I started back in 2013, but every change has been made to make our lives as tax accountants, and the lives of our customers, easier. We’ve used automation in our software to allow us to provide better financial reports in a timelier fashion to our customers. We’ve educated ourselves on ever-changing financial programs like PPP loans and Employee Retention Credits to try to get as much money back in our customers pockets as possible. We’ve used better technology to streamline how information flows back and forth between our department and our customers.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I most enjoy spending time with my family. My wife and I recently welcomed our second child, Tristan, to the world back in November. With my 2-year-old daughter, Addison, loving her role as big sister, we spend as much time as possible making irreplaceable memories. Of course, when there is a moment to catch our breath as parents you might find us golfing, at our cabin up north or relaxing and watching a movie.

Mark Buuck VP of Lending

Adrian, MI

20 years of service

How does your role carry out GreenStone’s mission of supporting rural communities and agriculture.

In my role, I’m able to provide reliable products and services to farmers that assist them in running an efficient and profitable business. Their success is GreenStone’s success, giving me the opportunity give back through donations and volunteering to support the rural community and be involved in local agriculture.

What do you enjoy about your role?

What I enjoy about being a part of GreenStone is the people I get to work with and the people we serve together. Whether it’s buying a piece of farmland or receipting a loan payment, it’s all of us working together towards a common goal.

What changes have been incorporated to meet evolving customer needs?

Improvements in technology have allowed me to be more flexible in my role. It also allows me to be more accessible to customers, and improving our ability to meet their needs that much faster.

How do you see GreenStone moving forward?

Moving forward at GreenStone, I’m in a position to grow with our customers in good times and in times of stress. Building strong relationships with customers and being involved in the rural community positions me to be a reliable resource that understands what is happening on a local level.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I enjoy spending time with my family, whether at our kids sporting and school events, or going to the lake. ■