Michael J. Stewart was named President and Chief Executive Officer of First Merchants Corp. As of November 6, 2026, First Merchants Corp has reported 3 leadership change filings to the SEC under Item 5.02 of Form 8-K, from May 19, 2026 to October 1, 2026, naming 2 appointments and 1 departure (Form 8-K, October 1, 2026).
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Key facts
- · In / out: In · Person: Michael J. Stewart · Role: President and Chief Executive Officer · 8-K, 2026-10-01
- · In / out: Out · Person: Mung Chiang · 8-K, 2026-07-02
- · In / out: In · Person: Paul Fultz · 8-K, 2026-05-19
First Merchants Corp reported changes in 3 filings among its directors and officers to the SEC on Form 8-K, Item 5.02, from 2026-05-19 to 2026-10-01. They name 3 people, with 2 appointments and 1 departure. Every row below is cited to the filing it comes from, and this page adds each new change as First Merchants Corp files it.
Also on the record for First Merchants Corp
| Date | Record | Figure | Our page | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 29, 2026 | Stake report, Schedule 13G, by Vanguard Capital Management | 5.04% of the class | 5%+ stakes | Source |
| April 29, 2026 | Stake report, Schedule 13G, by Vanguard Portfolio Management | 5.37% of the class | 5%+ stakes | Source |
| March 26, 2026 | Stake report, Schedule 13G/A, by The Vanguard Group | — | 5%+ stakes | Source |
| October 17, 2025 | Stake report, Schedule 13G/A, by BlackRock, Inc. | 7.6% of the class | 5%+ stakes | Source |
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More on First Merchants Corp and the records around it.
First Merchants Corp elsewhere on the record
Companies that share a holder
- Vanguard Portfolio Management also filed stake reports on 941 other companies: Newmark Group Inc (Nov 2026), A10 Networks Inc (Oct 2026), ADT Inc (Oct 2026)
- Vanguard Capital Management also filed stake reports on 1495 other companies: A10 Networks Inc (Oct 2026), Altisource Portfolio Solutions SA (Oct 2026), Alto Neuroscience Inc (Oct 2026)
- BlackRock, Inc. also filed stake reports on 1596 other companies: AvePoint, Inc. (Nov 2026), BIOMARIN PHARMACEUTICAL INC (Nov 2026), MSG RANGERS CORP (Nov 2026)
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Timeline
| Filed | In / out | Person | Role | Effective | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | In | President and Chief Executive Officer | 8-K, 2026-10-01 | ||
| 2026-07-02 | Out | 8-K, 2026-07-02 | |||
| 2026-05-19 | In | 8-K, 2026-05-19 |
Who leads First Merchants Corp, as last reported?
For each role that changed in the filings below, the most recent change reported. A role that did not change in these filings is not listed.
- President and Chief Executive Officer: Michael J. Stewart, appointed (filed 2026-10-01).
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Find candidates like President and Chief Executive Officer at First Merchants CorpEvery change, in the filing's words
Appointed: Michael J. Stewart, President and Chief Executive Officer
(c) As part of the Company's executive succession plan, as a result of Mr. Hardwick's retirement, Michael J. Stewart will assume the position of President and Chief Executive Officer and will become the Company's principal executive officer.
- (b) On October 1, 2026, First Merchants Corporation (the "Company") announced the upcoming retirement of the Company's current Chief Executive Officer, Mark K. Hardwick, effective January 1, 2027.
- Such appointment will be effective on January 1, 2027 and will continue until the next annual meeting of the Board of Directors or otherwise until his successor is duly appointed and qualified.
Departing: Mung Chiang
On July 1, 2026, Dr. Mung Chiang notified First Merchants Corporation (the "Company") of his resignation from the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board"), effective immediately.
- Dr. Chiang's resignation is not the result of any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company's operations, policies or practices.
- Rather, Dr. Chiang is stepping down from the Board in connection with a change in his professional responsibilities that will result in his relocation outside the Company's primary market area, which will limit his ability to continue to serve on the Board.
- The Company thanks Dr. Chiang for his service and contributions to the Board and the Company.
- Upon the effectiveness of this resignation, the size of the Company's Board shall be decreased from thirteen (13) members to twelve (12) members.
Appointed: Paul Fultz
Also, on May 19, 2026, the Corporation's Board of Directors appointed Paul Fultz to fill the vacancy on the Board created by Mr. Lehman's retirement.
- DEPARTURE OR APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTORS OR CERTAIN OFFICERS On May 19, 2026, First Merchants Corporation (the "Corporation") announced the retirement of Gary Lehman from the Board of Directors effective immediately.
- Mr. Lehman has served on the Board since 2011 and was a member of the Compensation and Human Resources Committee.
- The retirement of Mr. Lehman is not the result of any disagreement with the Corporation on any matter relating to the Corporation's operations, policies, or practices.
- Mr. Fultz's initial term will continue until the 2027 Annual Meeting of the Shareholders, at which time he will be considered for election for a one (1) year term.
- For his service as a Director, Mr. Fultz will be entitled to receive his pro rata portion of the standard Director annual retainer and will be a participant in the Corporation's Equity Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors.
- Other than being eligible to receive Director compensation, Mr. Fultz did not enter into any material plan, contract, or arrangement in connection with his appointment as a Director.
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Where this comes from
A public company must file a current report on Form 8-K with the SEC within four business days when a director leaves or is elected, or when its chief executive, chief financial, chief accounting or chief operating officer, or another named executive, departs or is appointed. That disclosure goes under Item 5.02 of the report.
Every change on this page is taken from one of those filings and quoted in the company's own words, with a link to the filing, so it can be checked at the source. Where a filing names the person, the role and the date a change takes effect, they are shown beside the quote. Where it does not, the quote stands on its own. A filing states what changed; it rarely states why, and neither does this page.