Shaun Gress is regional vice president for the Effingham, Lawrenceville, Marion, and Mt. Vernon offices. A native of eastern Iowa, Shaun earned an associate’s degree in production agriculture from Kirkwood Community College before earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agribusiness economics from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Shaun began his Farm Credit career in 2003 as a loan officer. Shaun and his wife Andrea reside in rural Lawrenceville with their two children – Westin and Becca.

Chuck Foran is the regional vice president for the Decatur, Jacksonville, Jerseyville, Mahomet, Paris, Sherman, and Watseka offices. Raised on a grain farm in Champaign County, Chuck earned agricultural degrees from Parkland College and the University of Illinois. Chuck returned to FCI in 2010 as vice president of credit services, having previously worked for Farm Credit in the 1990s. Chuck and his wife Tricia reside in White Heath and have four children – Will, Sarah, Abdullah, and Owen.

Justin Knobloch serves as regional vice president for the Effingham, Lawrenceville, Highland, Marion, Mt. Vernon, Red Bud, and Taylorville offices. He was raised on a small livestock operation in Monroe County. Justin earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from St. Louis University and a master’s in business administration from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He joined Farm Credit as the regional manager of the Red Bud regional office in 2015 with nine years of agriculture lending experience. Justin and his wife Kristin reside in Columbia with their two children – Mason and Audrey.

Birgit Volk is regional vice president for related services. She has spent most of her career as head of operations at two community banks in the Lawrence County area. She most recently held the position of vice president of insurance and branch operations at Peoples State Bank, headquartered in Newton. Birgit and her family are residents of Sumner.