Luke Fraley of Kampsvile began Aug. 1, as a Rural 1^st® country living loan officer based in the financial cooperative’s headquarters in Mahomet. He provides a wide range of financing products – including home loans, construction loans, lot loans, and recreational land loans – designed specifically for rural living in western Illinois.

What interested you in a career helping people make the move to Rural America?

I grew up in the country and made a career helping farm families find the financing and crop insurance coverage they needed to succeed as regional manager of the Jerseyville regional office for 15 years.

When FCI entered the country living business, I was interested in helping others pursue their dreams of a rural lifestyle.

What prepared you for this role?

I was raised on a grain and livestock farm in Calhoun County and graduated from Calhoun High School before receiving a bachelor’s degree in agriculture business from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

What’s one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?