Paul Kohls

Paul Kohls is the Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel at Compeer Financial, overseeing lending operations, legal, compliance and business process improvement. His leadership has been vital to key initiatives, including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and technology advancements such as a new loan origination platform and the consolidation of systems following Compeer’s 2017 merger, advancing the organization’s mission to support agriculture and rural communities.

Born in Elmhurst, Ill., and raised in New Hope, Minn., Paul holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of St. Thomas and a Juris Doctor from the University of Minnesota. He began his career clerking for a judge on the Minnesota Court of Appeals before joining the law firm Rider Bennett. Paul later served as Vice President of State Government Affairs at Allianz Life Insurance and spent eight years in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Paul’s leadership journey began at Allianz, where he navigated regulatory challenges and advocated for key initiatives. His experience spans law, government, financial services and agriculture, bringing a well-rounded perspective to his role at Compeer Financial.

Outside of Compeer, Paul serves on the Board of Governors for Farm Credit Captive Insurance Company and the Board of Directors for Farm Credit Foundations. He’s also a church volunteer and President of a local flying club. Paul lives in Victoria, Minn., with his wife and their three children. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, traveling, reading, boating and flying.