Brett Challenger appointed as CoBank’s new chief banking officer

DENVER (September 2, 2025) — CoBank, a cooperative bank serving agribusinesses, rural infrastructure providers and Farm Credit associations throughout the United States, today announced the appointment of Brett Challenger as chief banking officer. Challenger will have responsibility for the bank’s agribusiness and rural infrastructure lending, along with capital markets. He will report to CoBank President Eric Itambo.

“Brett has a phenomenal track record as a banking leader who brings a wealth of experience in both agribusiness and rural infrastructure as well as a deep connection with our customer-owners across the industries that we serve,” said Itambo. “We are delighted he has accepted this appointment and look forward to the continued growth of our banking portfolio under his leadership.”

Challenger currently serves as head of the bank’s Rural Infrastructure Banking Group, with responsibility for digital infrastructure, electric distribution; project finance; power, energy and utilities; water and waste disposal; supply chain and trade finance; and customer interest rate derivatives. Previously, Challenger served as the head of CoBank’s Regional Agribusiness Bank Group, which serves farmer-owned cooperatives and other small and mid-sized agribusinesses in all 50 states. Challenger joined CoBank in 2006 after holding leadership positions with Duke Capital Partners and Banc of America Securities.

CoBank will be launching a search for a new leader for the Rural Infrastructure Banking Group.

Chief credit officer retirement

The bank also announced that Chief Credit Officer Michael Short will retire in 2026.

Short was appointed as chief credit officer in 2019 and has responsibility for the bank’s credit approval and credit-related administrative functions including loan approval, credit support and analysis, credit guidelines, credit training, loan compliance and monitoring, collateral audit and special assets. Short joined CoBank in 2013 as special assets group manager and held leadership positions in Capital Markets and Credit Approvals before his appointment as chief credit officer.

“Mike’s dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment over the years have been instrumental to our success,” said Timothy Curran, CoBank’s chief risk officer. “We are deeply grateful for the positive impact he’s made on the bank and wish him all the best in his retirement.”

The bank is launching a formal search process for Short’s successor, and Short will assist the bank in ensuring a smooth transition. Short's retirement date has been preliminarily scheduled for March 2026, subject to the appointment of his successor.

About CoBank

CoBank is a cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states. The bank also provides wholesale loans and other financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving more than 78,000 farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the country. CoBank is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of banks and retail lending associations chartered to support the borrowing needs of U.S. agriculture, rural infrastructure and rural communities. Headquartered outside Denver, Colorado, CoBank serves customers from regional banking centers across the U.S. and also maintains an international representative office in Singapore.