---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000712534-26-000039"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "FRME"
cik: "0000712534"
company_name: "FIRST MERCHANTS CORP"
filed_at: "2026-05-19T20:11:27+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-19T20:12:11.007141+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.35
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.35
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# First Merchants appoints Paul Fultz to Board after Gary Lehman's retirement

## Summary
- Gary Lehman retired from the Board effective May 19, 2026, after serving since 2011; not due to any disagreement.
- Paul Fultz, retired KPMG audit partner with over 30 years of experience, appointed to fill the vacancy.
- Fultz will serve on the Audit Committee; term runs until the 2027 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
- Board now comprises 13 members, 10 of whom are independent outside directors.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000712534-26-000039
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: FRME
- cik: 0000712534
- company_name: FIRST MERCHANTS CORP
- filed_at: 2026-05-19T20:11:27+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.35
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.35
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000071253426000039/0000712534-26-000039-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000071253426000039/frme-20260519.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000712534-26-000039
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000712534-26-000039.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000712534-26-000039.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Paul Fultz was appointed as Director at FIRST MERCHANTS CORP.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Director
  source text: 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.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000071253426000039/0000712534-26-000039-index.htm
- Executive change
  Gary Lehman retired as Director at FIRST MERCHANTS CORP.
  - Action: retired
  - Role: Director
  source text: On May 19, 2026, First Merchants Corporation (the “Corporation”) announced the retirement of Gary Lehman from the Board of Directors effective immediately.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000071253426000039/0000712534-26-000039-index.htm

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