Stephenville native and longtime ag advocate is helping others reach success.
Updated: Aug 18, 2020
Lance Gilliland knows a thing or two about the ag industry.
He was just a kid when he secured his first loan to start a small cattle operation, and today, at 41, he works as a business lending specialist with Members Trust in Stephenville.
“I specialize in ag lending - from dairy farms to large farming operations,” Lance told Beneath the Surface News. “I got my first loan when I was about 14 years old. My banker at the time was Billy Hassler; he went out on a limb to help me get started.”
Now, Lance is returning the favor by helping others achieve their own dreams.
“When Lance came to work with Members Trust FCU in October 2018, he brought a tremendous amount of knowledge related to agriculture,” said president/CEO Brian Gilbert. “He also had experience doing collateral inspections for several financial institutions.
“Since coming on board, Lance has enhanced his analytical skills and become an accomplished agricultural and business lender. His skills, knowledge and willingness to work with members has been invaluable. I am proud that we have Lance on our team.”
A STEPHENVILLE NATIVE
Lance knows Erath County like the back of his hand and understands the important role agriculture plays here.
“I was born and raised in Stephenville and I never left,” he said. “I went to Tarleton State University for a couple of years right of high school, then I redirected my attention to my full-time farming and ranching operation.”
Lance and his wife Shelley have one son.
A PRESTIGIOUS PROGRAM
Lance learned in June that he was among 26 professionals selected for the Governor Dolph Briscoe Jr. Texas Agriculture Lifetime Leadership Program.
The two-year program more commonly referred to as “TALL” is led by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and provides an intense study of agriculture to equip industry professionals to lead their fields.
Lance dove into the program head first and plans to use the knowledge he gains to continue helping his customers.
“Ag is a way of life and we need to let people know that,” he said.
Lance can be reached by calling 254-552-7136 or emailing him at lanceG@mtfcu.coop.