PSU trustee relishes chance to aid those in ag industry
Detwiler, senior VP at Reliance Bank, specializes in agricultural lending

Valerie Detwiler, senior vice president and senior commercial banker at Reliance Bank, was recently re-elected to a fourth three-year term on the Penn State board of trustees. Mirror photo by Walt Frank
MARTINSBURG — Valerie Detwiler likes to make life better for others, something the Martinsburg woman has been able to do through her roles at both Reliance Bank and as a member of Penn State’s board of trustees.
Detwiler has been at Reliance Bank since 2018 and today is a senior vice president and senior commercial banker, specializing in agricultural lending.
She has been involved in agricultural lending since 2004, when she began working for USDA Farm Service Agency’s farm loan program. She has also worked as a vice president, agricultural banking officer with CBT Bank before coming to Reliance Bank.
She helped start agricultural lending programs at both CBT and Reliance banks.
“Valerie was instrumental in starting the bank’s agriculture lending program. In terms of industries to which we lend, it has grown to be one of the largest in our overall loan portfolio,” sad Reliance Bank President/CEO Phil Freeman. “One of the things I appreciate and admire most about Valerie is the relationship she maintains with her customers. They truly are family, and she works tirelessly to ensure their financial service needs are met.”
“I enjoy the fact that what I do directly impacts families. The resources are important that I provide and gives them the chance to better their lives. Seeing their success makes you feel you were part of it,” Detwiler said.
Detwiler grew up on a dairy farm near Martinsburg. She graduated from Central High School in 2002 and graduated from Penn State University in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a minor in legal environments of business.
She was always intrigued by Penn State.
“My dad was a big Penn State sports fan. I enjoyed that. He said I should consider Penn State. We went to many events at Penn State, it was the only place that I applied,” Detwiler said. “The part of Penn State that appealed to me was its history, what it had accomplished and being part of something bigger appealed to me.”
She served as a Lion Ambassador from 2004-06.
“You were like the student face of Penn State to different groups,” Detwiler said.
Although she grew up on a farm and was heavily involved in 4-H, she admits she never expected to be involved with agriculture.
Receiving an internship to be a farm loan officer for USDA changed her plans.
“It was a good foundation step for my career. I saw a lot of success and some that were not successful,” Detwiler said.
Detwiler and her husband C.A. were married in 2007 and in 2009 bought Forshey’s Ag & Industrial, a New Holland machinery dealership in Martinsburg.
“We were very young and thankful for the opportunity and what it has provided. It was challenging as young people taking on a business of that size,” Detwiler said.
They also operate Golden Rule Farms in New Enterprise, where they have 200 feeder cattle and a crop farm of about 400 acres.
Her time on the board of trustees came about when she talked with Chris Hoffman, then-vice president of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, at the Blair County Farm City Dinner, as Detwiler was chairperson of the Farm City Committee. Hoffman had recently been elected to the board of trustees. Hoffman told Detwiler she should consider running for the board.
“She thought no one would give her a chance, she felt like she didn’t have the notoriety and personal connections, she felt being a trustee was bigger than life,” Hoffman said. “I encouraged her to put her name in. I told her I would be the first person to support her in that endeavor.”
Detwiler then went to a Farm Bureau meeting along with a few other potential candidates.
“It was clear, clear, clear that she understood the university, knew the issues and was by far the best candidate,” Hoffman said. “She wanted to give back to the university and make it better. The board voted unanimously to support her.”
Detwiler was elected to the board of trustees by delegates from Agricultural Societies effective July 2016.
Detwiler, who was recently re-elected to a fourth three-year term on the board, appreciated the support from the Farm Bureau.
“I campaigned and contacted every county farm bureau for support. I was encouraged by the entire board of Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. They have always been very supportive,” Detwiler said.
Detwiler was 32 years old when first elected and was one of the youngest members of the board.
“I was not the stereotypical person who got elected to that position. There are a lot of successful people on that board. It was intimidating to begin with when I was younger and brought a different perspective,” Detwiler said. “I never felt I couldn’t say what I thought. I’ve always felt I could say what I thought and it mattered. My viewpoint is not always the same as others, but every voice deserves to be heard.”
Fellow trustee Randy Black, president/CEO of First Citizens Community Bank, said Detwiler is well-respected by fellow board members.
“Valerie brings energy and is highly engaged in making sure that the land grant mission is carried out. Her focus as well on others to make sure we are providing an affordable higher education opportunity for the students of our commonwealth is a major driving force,” Black said. “She currently chairs the Committee on Student Success, which reflects her leadership and experience.”
Detwiler is chairperson of the Student Success Committee and is a member of the Executive Committee.
“She has done a great job and is in a leadership role. She really works on making sure the students have what they need,” Hoffman said. “She has worked her way up to a leadership role and is very much engaged, she is not afraid to let her thoughts be known and takes on the hard issues.”
Hoffman said Detwiler is very knowledgeable on how the university runs and what she feels its needs are, putting in a lot of time and effort.
“I believe Neeli (President Bendapudi) appreciates her leadership and what she has done for the university to help it move forward,” Hoffman said.
Detwiler said there are moments that are really tough.
But, “there are moments beyond rewarding, when we see students get opportunities they couldn’t afford,” Detwiler said.
The board has faced many issues during her time on the board, most recently the decision to close seven commonwealth campuses.
During her tenure, student Tim Piazza died as a result of hazing activities related to Beta Theta Pi fraternity, the board hired Bendapudi as president and hired Troy Ott as Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences.
“We brought in a new president, that is the most important job the board will ever do,” Detwiler said.
Detwiler said the board faces numerous challenges.
“The financial side of the university has been a challenge. There is a lot of decision-making to shape the future of Penn State. We have to determine what our priorities are, there is only so much money to go around. As a land grant university, it is our duty to serve the citizens of the commonwealth,” Detwiler said. “The allocation of limited resources is the broadest challenge, it impacts so many things. How do we rank priorities, how do we prepare students to be the best citizens, it all takes money to do.”
Another challenge is governance.
“There is often a disconnect between the goals of the board and the behavior of much of the board, that can impact how effective we can be. Having been on the board for nine years, it is easier to navigate that space,” Detwiler said.
She enjoys her time on the Student Success Committee.
“I want to form narratives to help the average Penn Stater, not just the high achievers. I want the average student to have a great Penn State experience and come out to work and build their life. We should not overlook those students. I like to give a voice to the average student when I can,” Detwiler said.
She said she is proud to serve Penn State and attributes her success to being “relationship driven.”
“I enjoy being able to serve the university that provided me with a great foundation for my professional career,” Detwiler said. “I am motivated by relationships. As long as you have a relationship with people, it is easy to work hard for them. On the board, it is easier to do things if you have relationships with them.”
Detwiler said she would like to become an emeritus board member — one who has retired from a regular board position but is still recognized for their contributions and often retains an honorary or advisory role with the organization — once her term expires.
“I would bring a unique perspective,” Detwiler said. “I have a lot of experience.”
Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.
The Detwiler file
Name: Valerie Detwiler
Age: 41
Position: Senior vice president and senior commercial banker at Reliance Bank and member of Penn State’s board of trustees.
Education: 2002 graduate of Central High School, 2006 graduate of Penn State with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a minor in legal environments of business.
Family: Husband, C.A.; children, Carly and Gabe
Quote: “I would say I am willing to do things to help people when other people are not willing to make that effort. I get my reward when the people I work with succeed. Your goal is to make it happen.”