Capital Farm Credit names Javier Lemus as CFO

Capital Farm Credit has promoted interim CFO Javier Lemus to executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective Sept. 1. The move follows a search after the death of longtime finance leader Sally Lawson and signals continuity for the Texas lender’s finance operations.

Why it matters: - Capital Farm Credit is locking in leadership for its finance team as it continues serving rural Texas borrowers and members. - The CFO role helps guide the lender’s financial strength, credit operations and long-term support for agriculture and rural communities.

What happened: - Capital Farm Credit named Javier (Javi) Lemus its executive vice president and CFO, effective Sept. 1. - Lemus had been serving as interim CFO after the passing of Sally Lawson. - Capital Farm Credit selected Lemus after a comprehensive search that included several candidates. - The announcement came from College Station, Texas, on Aug. 27, 2026.

The details: - Lemus previously served as senior vice president and controller at Capital Farm Credit. - He has more than 20 years of financial and accounting experience. - Lemus is a certified public accountant licensed in Texas. - Jeff Norte, Capital Farm Credit president and CEO, said Lemus stood out for his financial expertise and understanding of the CFO role. - Norte said Lemus provided steady leadership and continuity during the transition. - Lemus said he is excited to keep working with the executive management team to support Capital Farm Credit’s mission. - Lemus said he wants to help ensure the organization remains financially sound to support agriculture and rural communities across Texas. - Before joining Capital Farm Credit in 2018, Lemus spent 11 years in the assurance practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers. - At PwC, Lemus worked on audit services for banking, asset management, broker dealers, employee benefit plans and healthcare clients. - Lemus earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Texas at Austin. - Lemus earned a master’s degree in accounting from Texas State University. - Lemus is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Farm Credit System’s Accounting Standards workgroup and the Internal Controls over Financial Reporting workgroup.

Between the lines: - The promotion suggests Capital Farm Credit wanted a leader already familiar with the lender’s systems and finance operations rather than an outside hire. - The organization is signaling continuity after Lawson’s death and a desire to avoid disruption in a key leadership function. - Lemus’s background in banking-related audit work fits a lender focused on financial controls and credit quality.

What’s next: - Lemus will formally take over as CFO on Sept. 1. - Capital Farm Credit will continue using its leadership team to support lending and financial services for rural Texans. - The lender says it remains focused on keeping the organization financially sound for agriculture and rural communities.

The bottom line: - Capital Farm Credit is elevating an internal finance leader with deep industry and accounting experience to steer the lender’s next phase.