Wells Fargo has named Karen Hardy to the new post of Central Region head for the company’s National Food & Agribusiness Division. Based in Denver, she will lead growth of Wells Fargo relationships with farmers, ranchers, producers, and processors between the Rocky Mountains and the Mississippi River in the U.S., and between British Columbia and Manitoba in Canada.

In her 22-year Wells Fargo career, Hardy has built broad Commercial Banking experience. She has served in roles as relationship manager, loan team leader, and loan team manager. Since 2007, she has worked in the regional credit office for the Commercial Banking group’s Mountain and Central regions in Denver.

As the Food & Agribusiness Division’s Central Region head, Hardy will lead a 30-person team that works with Wells Fargo Commercial Banking offices across the U.S. and Canadian breadbaskets – 21 states and four provinces – to provide customers with specialized agricultural financing and other resources, including crop insurance. Additional leadership positions on Hardy’s team will be filled in Chicago; Kansas City, Kansas; and Texas.

“Karen’s extensive experience in credit and risk management will be a strong asset in Wells Fargo’s growth of new business in the heart of the U.S. and Canada,” said Rob Yraceburu, head of the company’s National Food & Agribusiness Division, which was formed in April. (Follow link to Wells Fargo news release archive.) “And from her tenure as a regional credit officer, Karen also knows the industry’s regional traits.”