Jon Reiter Joins Conterra Board of Directors

Jon Reiter

EXPERT ON WATER AND AGRICULTURE JOINS CONTERRA AG CAPITAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

DES MOINES, Iowa — Jon Reiter, founder of Cavalrei, a consultancy offering services in the agriculture, finance, solar and water/water storage industries, has joined the Conterra Ag Capital Board of Directors. Reiter is also the sole owner of McConnell Farms, an owner operator of almond, blueberry and pistachio ranches in California’s San Joaquin Valley.

“We are pleased to add Jon’s proprietary knowledge of water issues and water constraints in the West,” said Board Chairperson Michael Endres. “As water becomes an increasing challenge, it is important for Conterra to have a complete understanding of this resource and its impact on American agriculture. Jon also brings broad expertise in agricultural and finance issues that will be key as Conterra continues to develop innovative ag lending solutions.”

From 2013 to 2019, Reiter served as the CEO of Maricopa Orchards, a leading almond, pistachio and fresh produce grower. He led the company on a multi-pronged water strategy that included federal and state surface water, long-term surface water contracts and underground water storage. He also founded Maricopa Sun in 2009, a utility scale solar development company, part of Maricopa Orchards.

Prior to joining Maricopa Orchards, Reiter was a finance attorney for Milbank, where he represented developers, lenders and investors in the water and renewable energy industries. Before that, he worked for British Telecommunications (BT), a Global Fortune 500 communications company, where he was responsible for global procurement and real estate transactions, as well as leading BT’s renewable energy efforts in the Americas. Reiter joined BT after selling his previous technology company to BT in 2004. Prior to that, he was a mergers and acquisitions attorney with O’Melveny.“Jon’s knowledge of and involvement in western agriculture will be a significant asset as Conterra expands our loan product offering and engages in an aggressive growth strategy,” said Conterra President and CEO Paul Erickson.

Reiter graduated from University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts degree emphasizing political science/environmental science policy and management. He went on to earn his JD/MBA from the University of Southern California. He’s a member of the State Bar of California, a real estate broker and a private pilot.

He also sits on the boards of Wheeler Ridge Maricopa Water Storage District, White Wolf Groundwater Sustainability Agency, Arroyo Passajero Mutual Water Company, Nickel Family Farms, Dave Wilson Nursery and Sustainable Conservation.

Reiter’s vast and varied experience along with Conterra’s positive reputation has been a winning combination for both parties. “I have done business with Conterra for a number of years,” said Reiter. “I have always viewed the team as true capital partners when it comes to agricultural lending — market-leading pricing, flexible terms, straightforward underwriting processes and responsiveness to borrower needs with a deep understanding of the challenges farmers face in running their businesses.”

Conterra Ag Capital focuses exclusively on agriculture, providing traditional farm and ranch loans, development and alternative lending to America’s farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses. Conterra also offers its loan products as well as asset management to institutional investors, banks, and other agricultural lenders throughout the United States.

Conterra has loan products to help meet the challenges of today’s agricultural environment:

• Long-term fixed rate loans

• Flexibility through revolving lines of credit

• Restructuring debt to improve cash flow

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