Kim McCuistion, Associate Vice Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of National Farm Life Insurance Co., following a shareholder vote at the company’s annual meeting last month. McCuistion, who is directing the development of A&M’s new downtown Fort Worth campus, joins Dr. David Barrera of Texas Oncology-Southwest Fort Worth and Texas Tech University Vice Provost Cindy Akers on the board.
As director of Texas A&M-Fort Worth, McCuistion is working with city and county leaders, industry partners, and A&M System universities and agencies to create a unified hub focused on workforce development, research, and technology. The first facility of the new campus, the Law and Education Building, is expected to be completed by next summer, with classes starting in fall 2026.
McCuistion has a strong background in education and agriculture, having served as dean of Tarleton State University’s Fort Worth campus before her current role. She also spent 11 years at Texas A&M-Kingsville in a joint role with the Department of Animal, Rangeland and Wildlife Sciences and the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management. McCuistion holds degrees in animal science from Texas A&M University and Kansas State University, as well as a doctorate in agriculture from West Texas A&M University.
“I am humbled to be selected to the NFLIC Board of Directors,” McCuistion said. “I look forward to helping continue the company’s dedication to policyholders, agents, employees, and the communities we serve.”
The new board members bring extensive experience in healthcare and higher education. Dr. Barrera has nearly three decades of experience caring for patients at Texas Oncology-Southwest Fort Worth and serves as medical director for Journey Hospice. Akers is nationally recognized for her leadership and innovation in agricultural education and recently became Texas Tech’s vice provost for academic affairs.
Company President Kyle McGregor noted that the three appointees are “a perfect fit for NFLIC,” highlighting their expertise in healthcare delivery, higher education, and agriculture. National Farm Life Insurance Co., founded in 1946 in the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards, offers products through over 1,300 independent agents, with whole life insurance as its cornerstone product, complemented by financial services.
