---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-22-179599"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "FRME"
cik: "0000712534"
company_name: "FIRST MERCHANTS CORP"
filed_at: "2022-06-23T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-24T23:46:21.269510+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.25
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.25
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# First Merchants expands board to 14, appoints Kevin Johnson and Jason Sondhi; amends director term limit

## Summary
- Board size increased from 12 to 14; Kevin D. Johnson and Jason R. Sondhi appointed to fill vacancies in Class I and Class III.
- Johnson is CEO of Detroit Economic Growth Corp; Sondhi is founder/president of Sondhi Solutions.
- Both serve initial terms until 2023 annual meeting; will receive pro rata director retainer and participate in equity plan.
- Bylaws amended to bar independent directors from nomination after 12 years of continuous service as of May 10, 2022.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-22-179599
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: FRME
- cik: 0000712534
- company_name: FIRST MERCHANTS CORP
- filed_at: 2022-06-23T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.25
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.25
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 5.03, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000119312522179599/0001193125-22-179599-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000119312522179599/d266761d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-22-179599
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-22-179599.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-22-179599.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Kevin D. Johnson was appointed as Director at FIRST MERCHANTS CORP.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Director
  source text: the Board appointed Kevin D. Johnson to fill the vacancy in Class I.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000119312522179599/0001193125-22-179599-index.htm
- Executive change
  Jason R. Sondhi was appointed as Director at FIRST MERCHANTS CORP.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Director
  source text: the Board appointed Jason R. Sondhi to fill the vacancy in Class III.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000119312522179599/0001193125-22-179599-index.htm

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