Shokrina Radpour Beering is the General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of USAG, responsible for leading legal and compliance operations for the firm. Ms. Beering has spent her career focusing on banking, finance, commercial real estate, and corporate sectors. She has served in executive leadership and legal roles for one of the largest national banks in the country, a regional law firm, and a Big 10 university. Her responsibilities included overseeing a $7.5B real estate portfolio and related legal strategy, as well as managing a $3.2B pension fund with over 22,000 accounts. Ms. Beering holds both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master’s in Education from Purdue University, in addition to a J.D. from Indiana University. She is admitted to practice law in the State of Indiana. Ms. Beering actively serves on several nonprofit organization boards and is a founding member of IndyCREW, a chapter of CREW Network.
Pete Drost is an Investment Analyst for US Agriculture, responsible for working with Portfolio Management and Asset Management to evaluate investment opportunities, assess and report portfolio performance, and submit recommendations to the firm’s Investment Committee. In addition to his analyst responsibilities, Pete is responsible for the data management and reporting of the firm’s sustainability commitments. Prior to joining US Agriculture, Pete interned at Farm Credit Canada for two years, where he worked on various research projects for the Ag Economics and Valuations teams. Pete holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business and a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics both of which are from Purdue University. Pete is Canadian, but he grew up in Oregon and Texas.
Formerly of Teays River Investments, LLC, Ms. Farr has over 15 years of private equity agricultural investment experience. She is an accomplished Executive Assistant with over 30 years of expertise in corporate communications, human resource management, and high-level administrative projects for leadership teams. She strives to serve as an inventive problem solver and independent worker who continually seeks new ways to streamline and create operational efficiencies. She provides support to all staff members primarily in accounting, farm insurance and property tax management. Outside of the office, Ms. Farr enjoys family, fly fishing, and football.
Zach Geswein is a Senior Accountant for US Agriculture, responsible for financial statement and budget preparation, financial reporting and analysis, accounts payable, and financial audit preparation. Prior to joining US Agriculture, Zach was a Cost Analyst for ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor responsible for departmental month-end close activities, financial reporting, and budgeting. Prior to that Zach served as an Internal Auditor for ArcelorMittal USA conducting financial, operational, and SOX audits. Zach graduated from Purdue University with a B.S. degree in Accounting and Management, with a concentration in Finance. Zach grew up on his family’s grain farm in Central Indiana.
Casey Gunnels is Regional Director for USAG Farm Management Services covering the Delta and Southeast Region. Mr. Gunnels focuses on farm management, acquisitions, asset management and industry research. Prior to joining USAG, Mr. Gunnels was an agricultural relationship manager with Regions Bank. Mr. Gunnels started his career as an agricultural lender with Farm Credit in Northwest Florida. Mr. Gunnels was born and raised in Monticello, Florida. Mr. Gunnels still lives in North Florida with his wife, daughter and 2 dogs. Mr. Gunnels is a member of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, working toward his accreditation of Accredited Farm Manager.
Matt Harmon is Regional Director for USAG Farm Management Services, focused on farm management, acquisitions, asset management, and industry research. Prior to joining USAG, Mr. Harmon was an agricultural land broker, closing over $350MM in land transactions. Mr. Harmon started his career as an agricultural lender with a regional bank based in Utah, growing a portfolio of credit facilities to over $30MM in outstanding commitments. Mr. Harmon was born and raised in rural Central Utah. Growing up in an agriculturally based community helped him understand and love the culture. Mr. Harmon continues to live in rural Utah with his wife and 2 sons. Mr. Harmon is an accredited member of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, holding the designation of Accredited Agricultural Consultant.
Mr. Leman is Director of Portfolio Management, responsible for managing select client portfolios, overseeing investment analysis, and performing all other aspects of portfolio management and is a member of USAG’s Board of Managers. Clint was previously an Investment Analyst, assisting with investment analysis, portfolio management, acquisitions, asset management, and industry research. Prior to joining USAG, Clint was an Equity Analyst and Portfolio Manager at Martin Capital Management, a value-oriented, investment advisor. Clint earned a B.S. in Business and Economics, with a concentration in Finance, from Indiana University South Bend. Clint is a CFA® charterholder, and a member of the CFA Society of Indianapolis. Clint grew up on a pork and grain farm in northwest Indiana. Clint is a member of the Pension Real Estate Association and the National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries (“NCREIF”).
Kyle Maple is a Regional Director for USAG Farm Management Services, focused on farm management, acquisitions, asset management, and industry research. Prior to joining USAG, Mr. Maple was an Investment Analyst at Halderman Real Asset Management. Mr. Maple began his career as a Special Accounts Representative for Halderman Farm Management Services, providing support for asset management services to multiple HFMS clients. Mr. Maple earned a B.S. in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University and is an Accredited Farm Manager through the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. Mr. Maple grew up on his family’s grain farm in Central Indiana.
David Martin is Managing Director, overseeing all strategic and operational aspects of the firm and is a member of USAG’s Board of Managers. Prior to joining USAG, Mr. Martin was Vice President at Halderman Real Asset Management, where he was responsible for directing the day to day activities of the institutional farmland investment program, and was responsible for overseeing select separate accounts. Prior to joining Halderman Real Asset Management, Mr. Martin was Special Accounts Manager for Halderman Farm Management Service, where he coordinated management activities for multiple farmland funds. For ten years prior to that, Mr. Martin worked in various capacities for a worldwide pork producer where he served in multiple operational roles. As Director of Production, he was responsible for all production facilities located in four states. His production responsibilities included procurement, feed manufacturing, environmental compliance, logistics, human relations, and genetics. Mr. Martin is a graduate of Purdue University with a Bachelor of Arts in Agricultural Economics. Mr. Martin is a member of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers and the Pension Real Estate Association. Mr. Martin grew up on a pork and grain farm in central Indiana and maintains involvement in family-related agriculture investments.
Tracy Martin is the Controller for US Agriculture, responsible for management of all corporate accounting functions. Tracy has over 20 years of accounting and systems experience across many types of businesses; sports and concert entertainment, manufacturing, commercial construction, and specialty finance to name a few. Tracy comes to US Agriculture from the specialty finance sector which was a start-up company she helped build over 5 years. Her experience includes budgeting, systems implementations, creating efficiencies and maintaining bank relationships. Tracy graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting.
Mr. Newton is Director of Business Development overseeing all aspects of the firm’s institutional sales and marketing function. Evan was previously Director of Business Development at Frontier Partners and prior to that was responsible for consultant and client relations at Evanston Capital. He started his career in investment management in San Francisco at Hall Capital and Passport Capital. Evan earned a B.S. in Finance from Bradley University. He is a CFA® charterholder and a member of the CFA Society of Chicago. While he currently lives in the Chicago area, Evan is the son of a fourth-generation farmer and grew up on a grain farm in central Illinois
Pete is the Director of Accounting at US Agriculture. He is responsible for all accounting and finance functions. Pete has over 40 years of accounting and finance experience in a wide variety of industries ranging in size from startups to Fortune 500. His industry experiences include distribution, software, long-term care, construction, engineering, banking, consulting, investment management, and distillery. For several years he was a partner at one of the nation’s largest CFO consulting firms. Prior to joining US Agriculture in November 2022, he served as the CFO of an institutional pharmacy. Pete has served on the Board of Directors for CICOA Aging, In-Home Solutions, Dance Kaleidoscope as well as on the Board of Elders with his church. Pete graduated from Indiana University Kelly School of Business and earned an MBA with an emphasis on accounting. He also earned a BA from DePauw University with a major in economics.
Mr. Schlemme is an Investment Analyst for US Agriculture, responsible for working with Portfolio Management and Asset Management to identify and evaluate investment opportunities, assess and report portfolio performance, and submit recommendations to the firm’s Investment Committee. Prior to joining US Agriculture, Colton was a Senior Investment Analyst with PGIM Real Estate in Sacramento, California where he worked on the agricultural debt investment team covering northern California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, & Idaho. Colton holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business from Iowa State University. Colton grew up in rural northeast Iowa and passed Level II of the CFA Program.
Shane Hageman is a member of USAG’s Board of Managers and serves as President of Hageman Group, LLC. Mr. Hageman has been involved in the agriculture and real estate industry his entire life. He was very active in his family’s farming operation from an early age and purchased his first farm at age fifteen. Prior to attending Purdue, Mr. Hageman was elected President of the Indiana FFA Association and spent one year in that role. As President of Hageman Group, Mr. Hageman leads the agricultural, real estate, and investment divisions of the business. Prior to joining Hageman Group, Mr. Hageman practiced law at Bose McKinney & Evans, LLP in Indianapolis focusing on real estate, estate and wealth transfer planning, and agribusiness. Mr. Hageman is admitted to practice law in the State of Indiana. Mr. Hageman’s academic degrees include a Bachelor of Science in agricultural economics, a Bachelor of Arts in political science, and a Master of Science in Food and Agribusiness Management from Purdue University, as well as a Juris Doctorate and Master of Business Administration Indiana University. In addition to his professional pursuits, Mr. Hageman is actively involved in the Young Presidents Organization and is involved with the Hageman Foundation’s philanthropic activities.
Steve Hageman is a founding member of USAG and serves on the USAG Board of Managers. Mr. Hageman is also Chairman of the Board of Hageman Group, LLC, focusing on Agriculture and Commercial Real Estate, and Private Equity Investments. A founding partner in Hageman Farm Inc. and several other successful Ag business companies including Remington Seeds, which became the nation’s largest non-retail corn, and soybean seed production, conditioning and distribution company, producing 20% of the US seed corn and 15% of the US soybean seed. Mr. Hageman currently serves in leadership positions with the Boone and Crockett Club, Conner Prairie, Farm Foundation, and has previously served in a variety of leadership positions for the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), US Grains Council, Purdue University’s College of Agriculture, and as Chairman of the Indiana FFA Foundation. Growing up on a grain and livestock farm in Northwest Indiana he has never forgot his roots and believes strongly in giving back through his talents, time and treasure. The Hageman Foundation was founded to support organizations focused on leadership, rural development, promotion of agriculture, and Christian values. Mr. Hageman is a member of the Pension Real Estate Association.
Howard Halderman is a founding member of USAG and is Executive Chair of USAG’s Board of Managers. Mr. Halderman serves as President and CEO of Halderman Farm Management Service and Halderman Real Estate Services, Inc. family businesses that have been in operation since 1930 and 1990 respectively. Mr. Halderman has previously served on the Board of Directors of Teays River Investments, a private equity agriculture investment firm. Mr. Halderman received his B.S, with high distinction, in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University in 1988. Mr. Halderman earned the Accredited Farm Manager designation from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers in 1996. Mr. Halderman holds real estate broker licenses in the states of Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Georgia and Kentucky. Mr. Halderman currently serves on the Board of Directors of First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ: FRME), is Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Honeywell Foundation, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Parkview Wabash Hospital, and serves on the Parkview Health Board, along with many other community organizations in Wabash, Indiana. Mr. Halderman is a member of the Pension Real Estate Association.
Tom Peck is a member of USAG’s Board of Managers and serves as Vice-President of Real Estate and Investments for Hageman Group. Mr. Peck is a senior executive experienced in acquisitions, development, capital raising, accounting, and investor relations for both publicly traded and privately held real estate companies. As Vice President – Investments for Hageman Group, Mr. Peck heads the company’s real estate acquisition and development efforts. He also helps evaluate and pursue select non-real estate investments for Hageman Group. Prior to joining Hageman Group, Mr. Peck held positions as Executive Vice President of Real Estate with Meyer Najem, Chief Financial Officer of Lauth Group, Inc., and Senior Vice President of Investor Relations and Capital Markets with Duke Realty Corporation. Mr. Peck holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Business Administration from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business. Mr. Peck is a Certified Public Accountant (license inactive) and an adjunct real estate finance instructor at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business in Bloomington. In addition to his professional pursuits, Mr. Peck is actively involved with various philanthropic and community organizations including the board of directors for Families First, Hamilton County Area Neighborhood Development, and the Indiana University Center for Real Estate Studies.
