Bressner retires from long ag career

PONTIAC – Gary Bressner has worked in the ag industry for many years and considers farmers individuals with very high character and moral values and an overall good group to work with.

Bressner is retiring from the State Bank of Graymont where he has worked in ag lending since January 1999. Prior to his banking career, he worked for many years as a county extension advisor in Fayette County before working with the Illinois FBFM (Farm Business Farm Management) program. He worked as an FBFM field man in Champaign County before moving back to Pontiac.

“Early on, we went through some very difficult times in agriculture with commodity prices and cash flow,” Bressner recalled. “We had some very profitable times and we are back in some pretty difficult times for agriculture again.”

Bressner has served as treasurer for the Livingston County Soil and Water Conservation District and is also active in the local First Presbyterian Church, FFA Alumni Association and Kiwanis.

Bressner plans to stay involved in the numerous organizations and still prepare a few tax returns in the winter. He is hoping for a more relaxed schedule during retirement.

“There will be a few more days of snow skiing in some of the winters and bicycling a little more in the summer months hopefully,” Bressner said.

An open house was held in Bressner’s honor Wednesday at the Pontiac office of State Bank of Graymont.