Employee Highlight: Sarah Frelsi, Loan Officer

Akiptan is proud to introduce you to the team of people who are helping make a change in Indian Ag Finance. This month, we are highlighting our Loan Officer, Sarah Frelsi.

Sarah lives on the Pine Ridge Reservation and helps run a multi-generation cow calf operation with her partner and their daughter.  She is originally from Wyoming where she attended the University of Wyoming and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Animal and Veterinary Science and Bachelor’s of Science in Agricultural Business in 2018.  Sarah worked at a Native owned Federal Credit Union as a Loan and Collection specialist before joining Akiptan, Inc.  She believes that agriculture is the single most important industry to any community, and that by providing Native ag producers with financial education and patient capital we can help build their business and strengthen the communities.

How did you begin in the Native Ag Lending Industry? 

"So ag lending was kind of the goal in college. In college I went to school to pursue  Business and Vet Sciences and had a minor in Accounting. I went into the ranching part of it, rather than the finance side. I worked for Kurt and his family and was in the swather a lot. From there I went to town to get a job, I started as a teller, then a Loan Officer and then joined Akiptan as a Loan Officer. "

What is your favorite part of working at Akiptan? 

“We are committed to our jobs and what Akiptan stands for yet we are also relatable for the clients. We know how to have fun with each other and with our producers, most are pretty laid back, which may put producers at ease when applying for our lending products and services. The relaxed style of conversation we are able to have with fellow producers while understanding their needs, ends up benefiting each of us. Akiptan builds relationships which allows the producers to feel comfortable chatting with us informally about their operation and addressing solutions to any challenges they may be having.”

What do you think makes Akiptan Important/Unique?

"Obviously, because we use our lending dollars to support Native ag, and the fact that we do it nationwide is unique. There are other organizations who are similar, but they are specific to their region or community and we are able to support those nationwide, which is very unique. We may have a possible client in one state and maybe they have a CDFI in their area, but they don't do lending, but because we do nationwide lending we can assist that client." 

How has your passion for assisting those in Native Agriculture financing developed?

"It's definitely grown while here at Akiptan, the more I work with the producers from all varieties of operations the greater my passion grows.  It's fulfilling to hear the producers visit about where they started and where they see their operations going in the future. It’s great to be a part of that success as a partner." 

What are some of the successes that have happened while in your role at Akiptan? 

"A success of mine as a loan officer with Akiptan  has been  loaning capital into a new industry.  My third loan was something Akiptan had never done before, which was a commercial fishing company in Alaska, we successfully underwrote and loaned to the company to help them grow. To have this new industry under our belts is a huge feat. I’m currently working on our first tribal allotted land loan which is a huge stepping stone for Native agriculture lending."

What are your goals for the next few months or years in your role as a loan officer? 

"My goals are to continue uplifting the mission of Akiptan by assisting our producers, getting our first Allotted Trust Land mortgage loan off the ground, continuing to see our producer's successes through the loans and technical assistance, and improving at doing my job."

What would you say about the Akiptan team you work with? 

"They're all fantastic, I don’t think I’ve ever worked with a more passionate group of people helping Native business and ag producers in general with those who have a positive mindset and the overall teamwork in general." 

What is one thing you would like people to know about your job? 

"Loan officers really want their clients to be successful. We really do. So all of the questions, the double checking and sometimes annoying amount of documentation that we ask you for, is all so that we can make sure that what we are doing will get you closer to your goals, not further away. We understand that numbers and finances aren't always fun, but when you're able to see the successes that come from working with us it'll all be worth it!"

Learn more about the team at Akiptan by visiting our website at https://www.akiptan.org/staffandboard. For more information on our products and services email us at info@akiptan.org