Mr. Mark K. Hardwick has been the Chief Executive Officer and Director of the company since 2021. He joined First Merchants as Corporate Controller in November 1997 and was promoted to Chief Financial Officer in April of 2002. He assumed leadership responsibilities related to operations, technology, and risk management for the company in June 2007. He was named as the Chief Operating Officer in 2016. In 2021, he was promoted to Chief Executive Officer. Previously, Mr. Hardwick served as a Senior Accountant with BKD, LLP in Indianapolis and as a Trustee for Ball State University. He is also a Member of Next Muncie.

Ms. Jean L. Wojtowicz has been the Chairwoman of the company since November 2024. She currently serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Cambridge Capital Management Corp. She also works as a Director of American United Mutual Insurance Holding Company.

Ms. Michele M. Kawiecki has been an Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the company and First Merchants Bank since 2021. She started her career at First Merchants as Director of Finance in March 2015 and later she assumed responsibilities for facilities in 2017. Prior to this, she spent 11 years at UMB Financial Corporation in various positions, including Senior Vice President of Capital Management and Assistant Treasurer for 4 years; Chief Risk Officer for 4 years and, Director of Corporate Development and the Enterprise Project Management Office for 3 years. Previously, she worked as an Audit Manager at PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP.

Mr. Stephan H. Fluhler has been the Chief Information Officer and Senior Vice President of the company since 2014. Prior to this, he served as the Chief Technology Officer of the company from 2004 to 2014. Previously, he served as Director of Technology Services and Change Management in the company from 2003 to 2004.

Mr. Chad W. Kimball has been the Chief Risk Officer and Senior Vice President of the company since 2021. He held various risk leadership positions with KPMG and EY. He worked for GMAC, ALLY, Chase, SunTrust, Fifth Third Bank, Old National Bank, Republic Bancorp, Provident Bank, Sky Bank, and more. He served as the Global Director of Regulatory Risk and Compliance at GE Aviation. Most recently, he served as a Senior Vice President of Risk with Huntington Bank.