Chapter Leadership

Mike Lansford is the Vice President for the Southern Area for Farmers National Company in Fort Worth, Texas.  Farmers National Company is a asset management company serving America's landowners since 1929.  Headquartered in Omaha, NE, Farmers National Company managers over 2 Million acres of farm and ranch land in 24 states.  In addition to personally managing properties, Mike's primary responsibilities as Area Vice President are hiring, training, and mentoring farm and ranch managers in the Southern Area, working with clients and field staff to provide comprehensive management solutions, assisting clients in identifying and reaching their goals of ownership, and managing the regional office of ten employees.

Before joining Farmers National Company in 2010, Mike was the Southwestern Regional Manager for JPMorgan's Farm & Ranch Trust Department where he managed trust properties in Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Colorado.

Mike Lansford graduated from Texas A&M University in 1987 with a Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Economics, and then again in 1989 with Master's of Ag in Land Economics and Real Estate.  Mike is a State Certified General Real Estate Appraiser in Texas, a licensed Real Estate Broker in Texas, and an Accredited Farm Manager (AFM) of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.  He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Farmers National Company, as well as the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show of Fort Worth.  Mike is also a 38 year member of the Texas Forestry Association and an associate member of the Society of American Foresters.

Rebecca McWilliams is a Regional Appraiser Officer for Lone Star Ag Credit, responsible for coordinating the evaluation needs for the southern and far eastern territory of Lone Star.  Rebecca has been with the Farm Credit system for over 8 years and primarily specializes in farm and ranch property appraisals and appraisal reviews throughout Central Texas.  Prior to that, she worked as an independent appraiser.

Rebecca holds a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and a Master’s degree in Land Economics and Real Estate, both from Texas A&M University.  She also holds the Accredited Rural Appraiser (ARA) designation from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.

Carmen Bierschwale is an Affiliate member of ASFMRA and has served as the Secretary/Treasurer for the Texas Chapter since 2010. She is also the Office Manager for Bierschwale Land Company, LLC, a family owned and operated company located in Junction, Texas. Carmen manages the Texas Chapter out of her office in Junction.
Carmen graduated from Texas A&M University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics. She is married to Justin Bierschwale and together they have three kids.

Patty served as the Vice President Regional Appraiser with Lone Star Ag Credit and has worked in Farm Credit since 2005. She began appraising in 1983, beginning her career completing commercial assignments in the Houston area prior to moving to central Texas in 1990. She then operated her own fee appraisal business for 15 years prior to her employment with Texas Land Bank. She now specializes in ranch and rural properties.
Patty holds the ARA designation with ASFMRA and has served as a Director. She also holds the MAI designation with the Appraisal Institute and served as President of the Heart of Texas Appraisal Institute chapter. She graduated from Texas A&M University.
In her spare time, Patty manages the Adrian Foote Ranch in Coryell and Hamilton Counties which is a sheep, goat and cow-calf operation. The ranch has been in the Foote-Weber family since 1874.

Robby Vann served as Vice President of Collateral Risk Management/Chief Appraiser for the Farm Credit Bank of Texas until his retirement in 2015, after 33 years with Farm Credit. He now offers farm and ranch sales and appraisals through his association with Chas. S. Middleton and Son.

He has served on national committees including the Appraisal Foundation Advisory Council (TAFAC) in Washington, D.C from 2001 to 2007.  Vann is also a member of the Rural Land Council of the Texas A&M Real Estate Center and was presented with the Award of Appreciation in 2015 for outstanding dedication and service to the rural real estate industry. He is a member of the Texas Alliance of Land Brokers and has served as a board member and president.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education from Tarleton State University and is a state-certified general appraiser in Texas. He was awarded the Accredited Rural Appraiser (ARA) designation from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA) in 2006. He served as president of the Texas Chapter of the ASFMRA in 2016 and currently is a member of the chapter’s Ethics and Standards Committee. He is a past president of the Lampasas County Livestock Association.