Treye Girdner
Family: Wife, Natalie; sons, Quaid, 10, and Cash, 6
Hometown: Dwight Mission, Okla.
Town Life: “I used to work in pharmaceutical sales, but wanted a change with less traveling, as well as being closer to family. I found a position as a bank loan officer for Armstrong Bank in Vian, Okla., after a year I was offered the position of market president for the Muldrow branch three years ago. My wife Natalie and I also own rental property, with Natalie being in charge of renting the properties, collecting money and taking care of maintenance tasks.”
Country Life: “We own 160 acres outside of Sallisaw, Okla., in the Dwight Mission community, where we raise commercial Angus cattle on land next to my father’s ranch. Natalie and I being in the commercial cattle business is no big surprise. My grandfather, Frank Girdner, had a dairy farm and switched to commercial cattle and Mexican Longhorns after a fire. My father, Darren, had a laying house and commercial cattle ranch.
“The cattle provide relief from the business world with its computers and cell phones. I keep a small herd and am selling my cows this year because it is time to get younger ones. The herd management plan is to sell all calves and maintain this herd size for now because it’s manageable and provides the lifestyle and experiences I want for my boys, Quaid and Cash It also simplifies keeping track of genetics. The cows live solely on grass and minerals whenever possible and are supplemented with grain three times per week, hay and protein licks as needed. I purchase my hay because owning equipment is not economically feasible for a operation of this size. My wife, the boys and I, sometimes with other family help, work the cattle by banding, tagging, vaccinating and worming. It’s good for us to be outside and the boys love it when we ride four wheelers to check on fences.”
Future: “My first priority is my wife and boys. As a banker I know better than to put all my eggs in one basket, so I plan on maintaining the rental business and eventually increasing the herd size to 60 mommas. The boys will hopefully become involved in 4-H as a way of learning responsibility, respect and a good work ethic though other methods are available as well as.”
