Mel Koller

Mel Koller is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Alabama Farm Credit ACA, a position he has held since September 2018. He succeeded Ben Gore, who retired after a long tenure. Under Koller’s leadership, Alabama Farm Credit continues to focus on providing financial services to farmers, agribusinesses, and rural landowners across northern Alabama.12

Professional Background

Before joining Alabama Farm Credit, Koller had a significant career at the Farm Credit Bank of Texas, where he served in various roles from 2009 to 2018, including Vice President and Unit Manager of Association Direct Lending. His experience there included overseeing credit teams and managing direct loan relationships with affiliated cooperatives.13 Earlier in his career, he worked as an agricultural production lender at Bank of the West and Fresno Madera Farm Credit, where he contributed to building substantial agribusiness portfolios.1

Education

Koller holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business and Management from California Polytechnic State University, obtained between 1999 and 2003. He furthered his education with a Master’s degree in Agricultural Business from Arizona State University, completed in 2008. Additionally, he graduated from the Graduate School of Banking program at Louisiana State University.23

Personal Insights

Raised in a farming family as the youngest of seven children in Moraga, California, Koller brings a personal understanding of agriculture to his role. His leadership style is characterized by energy, enthusiasm, and a strategic vision aimed at enhancing the cooperative's services and operations.13

Current Role

As CEO, Koller is responsible for steering Alabama Farm Credit towards continued growth and innovation in agricultural financing. The organization is part of the larger Farm Credit System, which has been serving rural America since 1916.1