---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000712534-24-000168"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "FRME"
cik: "0000712534"
company_name: "FIRST MERCHANTS CORP"
filed_at: "2024-05-08T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-02T14:32:28.280993+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.6
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# First Merchants appoints Jean Wojtowicz as Board Chair, replacing retiring Charles Schalliol

## Summary
- Charles Schalliol retired after 17 years as Chair; oversaw growth from $3B to >$18B assets via 10 acquisitions.
- Jean Wojtowicz, board member for 20 years, becomes Chair and Chair of Compensation and HR Committee effective May 7, 2024.
- Michael Rechin, former CEO (2007-2020), appointed Vice Chair of the Board.
- Wojtowicz also serves on Audit and Nominating & Governance Committees; CEO Mark Hardwick expresses confidence in new leadership.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000712534-24-000168
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: FRME
- cik: 0000712534
- company_name: FIRST MERCHANTS CORP
- filed_at: 2024-05-08T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.6
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000071253424000168/0000712534-24-000168-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000071253424000168/frme-20240507.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000712534-24-000168
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000712534-24-000168.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000712534-24-000168.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Jean Wojtowicz was appointed as Chairperson at FIRST MERCHANTS CORP.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chairperson
  source text: On May 7, 2024, First Merchants Corporation (the "Corporation") appointed Jean Wojtowicz as Chairperson and Micheal C. Rechin as Vice Chairperson of First Merchants Corporation and First Merchants Bank Board of Directors.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000071253424000168/0000712534-24-000168-index.htm
- Executive change
  Micheal C. Rechin was appointed as Vice Chairperson at FIRST MERCHANTS CORP.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Vice Chairperson
  source text: On May 7, 2024, First Merchants Corporation (the "Corporation") appointed Jean Wojtowicz as Chairperson and Micheal C. Rechin as Vice Chairperson of First Merchants Corporation and First Merchants Bank Board of Directors.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000071253424000168/0000712534-24-000168-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.