Director Position 3: Bradford Hanson

Bradford Hanson 

Age as of March 1, 2023:       34

Residence Location:  Susanville, CA

Place of Operation:  Susanville, CA

Business Experience: Willow Creek Ranch – Ranch Hand, Plumas Bank – Ag Loan Officer (March 2011 – July 2020).

Education: Bachelor’s Degree, Ag Business with a concentration in Ag Finance

Current Boards: Director – Lassen County Farm Bureau, Director – Lassen County Cattlemen’s Association.

Strategic & Visionary Thinking: To operate a successful working ranch or farm, strategy and visionary thinking are necessary components. We incorporate succession planning into almost every decision we make from budgeting and marketing, to crop rotations and capital purchases. We host and participate in different workshops that help us to stay up to date on the newest research and best practices for our operation. As an Ag Loan Officer, I worked within the institution to help incorporate our board’s vision and strategic planning, while also working with borrowers on their visions and strategies.

Corporate Governance: While working for a community bank, I meticulously followed the board of director’s meetings and decisions. I believe an organization is only as strong as the ethics and morals of its guiding body.

Financial Expertise: I was an Ag Loan Officer for 9 years and, in this capacity, I learned all aspects of agricultural finance while helping my borrowers expand their operations and be profitable. I believe this relevant experience would help me greatly in this position. I have a BS in Ag Business with a concentration in Ag Finance from Cal Poly – SLO, December 2009.

Communication: During my time working in the ag finance industry, I learned to communicate in a financial setting with appropriate use of financial terms. As past President of both the Lassen County Farm Bureau and Lassen County Cattlemen’s, I often had to speak at local and state meetings on our membership’s behalf.

Technology: I have worked with a number current financial technologies in my capacity on my family’s ranch and the finance industry. I stay up to date with this evolving landscape, and understand the value and challenges technology will continue to bring to the financial industry.

Human Resource Management: I was interim Branch Manager for a community bank and managed several employees. During that time, I learned to effectively manage a team to achieve goals and expectations set by Executive Management.

Risk Management: I helped to educate borrowers on the variety of risk management tools available to them to help mitigate losses and create opportunities to better their financial positions. I was also tasked with managing my loan portfolio for risk and working with auditors to assess financial stability of our borrowers.

Leadership: President – Lassen County Farm Bureau (2017 – 2018), President – Lassen County Cattlemen’s Association (2019 – 2020).