CULLMAN, Ala. – Steve Tate Insurance is joining the Alabama Farm Credit family of companies. Since 1992, Steve Tate Insurance has provided crop insurance to north Alabama farmers. Alabama Farm Credit has provided north Alabama farmers with rural agricultural credit and financial services since 1916.
Tate said he and his wife had been thinking it was time to make a change, and he had received several offers from prospective buyers, but didn’t feel any were the right fit. Then Mel Koller, CEO of Alabama Farm Credit, and someone he’s known for several years, expressed interest. For Tate, it was the fit he was looking for. “They conduct business the right way. My friends, my customers will be taken care of by a company that provides exemplary service,” Tate said. “AFC will bring even more efficiency and will take great care of my customers.”
Koller called the deal a win-win. “I have a lot of respect for Steve and what he’s built. It’s a good match for AFC,” Koller said. “Steve’s brand has a lot of value for our customers, and we share many of the same customers. We’re going to deliver added value with the same focus on service and relationships. We’ve brought on a talented team that knows our clients and will service them well.”
Nathan Kinnaman will lead this new team as Farm Shield’s director of insurance. He brings 20 years of crop insurance experience and comes to Farm Shield from Farmer’s National Company, the number one land management company in the country, where he served as vice president of insurance. Farming is in Kinnaman’s blood. He was born and raised in the small farming community of Guide Rock, Nebraska, and says he learned an appreciation of farming legacies and relationships, which will guide him at Farm Shield. “Insurance is a relationship business. We’re dedicated to building and maintaining relationships and working in our client’s best interest,” Kinnaman said. “We believe in working with the client from the ‘table to the tailgate,’ wherever and whenever best fits their needs.”
Even though Tate will no longer be the business owner, he said he isn’t going anywhere. “The only thing changing is the name of the company. I’ll serve as a consultant and will be available to advise and interact with our customers,” Tate said. Koller added that having Tate stay on with Farm Shield is part of their commitment to a seamless transition for their customers.
To learn more visit www.alabamafarmcredit.com
