The American Bankers Association Center for Agricultural and Rural Banking will present Wisconsin banker Samuel J. Miller with its annual Bruning Award, honored for his leadership and dedication to providing credit and financial guidance to farmers, ranchers and businesses in rural America.
Among other things, Miller served as chairman of the ABA Agricultural and Rural Bankers Committee, a board member of the Wisconsin Dairy 2020 Council, treasurer and board member of the Dairy Business Innovation Center, and monthly columnist for Wisconsin Agriculturalist magazine.
“The most rewarding part of my career has been serving customers who are providing food and fiber for consumers both domestic and international,” Miller says. “Agricultural banking combines the best of art and science. There are the spreadsheets, programs and tools to measure and assess, but there’s still a great amount of art left in the business.
“Recognizing and understanding the cycles of agriculture and helping farmers navigate through the good times and more challenging periods, remain fundamental to the business.”
Miller has been an agricultural banker for 30 years and is currently the managing director and head of agriculture, BMO Harris Bank. He has been actively involved in agricultural education as school director for the Wisconsin Bankers Advanced Agricultural Banking School.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Miller, who lives in Appleton, Wisconsin, with his wife, Nadine, says he sees a bright future in agricultural finance, but recognizes potential challenges.
“Worldwide the population is growing and the standard of living is improving,” he says. “There is a bright future for agricultural business, but navigating this upward trend during periods of international volatility and uncertain trade flows remains a challenge.”
The award will be presented to Miller at the ABA National Agricultural Bankers Conference in Minneapolis on Nov. 12. PD
—From American Bankers Association news release
