F&M Bank Announces Board Leadership Transition: Andrew Briggs to Step Down as Chairman, Kevin J. Sauder Named Successor
F&M Bank (Nasdaq: FMAO) announced a significant leadership transition as Andrew Briggs steps down as Chairman of the Board, with Kevin J. Sauder appointed as his successor, effective immediately. Briggs, who has served on the Board for seven years and as Chairman since 2024, will continue as a director until his retirement in 2026.
Sauder, the former President & CEO of Sauder Woodworking Co., brings extensive leadership experience and has been a board member since 2004. The transition plan, initiated by Briggs, emphasizes continuity and strategic momentum, with both leaders working together over the coming year to ensure a seamless handover.
F&M Bank (Nasdaq: FMAO) ha annunciato un importante cambio alla guida: Andrew Briggs lascia il ruolo di Presidente del Consiglio di Amministrazione e Kevin J. Sauder è stato nominato suo successore, con effetto immediato. Briggs, che ha fatto parte del Consiglio per sette anni e ne è stato Presidente dal 2024, continuerà a ricoprire il ruolo di direttore fino al suo pensionamento previsto per il 2026.
Sauder, ex Presidente e CEO di Sauder Woodworking Co., porta con sé una vasta esperienza di leadership ed è membro del Consiglio dal 2004. Il piano di transizione, avviato da Briggs, punta a garantire continuità e slancio strategico, con entrambi i dirigenti che collaboreranno nel prossimo anno per assicurare un passaggio di consegne senza intoppi.
F&M Bank (Nasdaq: FMAO) anunció una importante transición en su liderazgo: Andrew Briggs renuncia como Presidente de la Junta Directiva y Kevin J. Sauder ha sido nombrado su sucesor, con efecto inmediato. Briggs, quien ha formado parte de la Junta durante siete años y ha sido Presidente desde 2024, continuará como director hasta su retiro en 2026.
Sauder, ex Presidente y CEO de Sauder Woodworking Co., aporta una amplia experiencia en liderazgo y ha sido miembro de la Junta desde 2004. El plan de transición, iniciado por Briggs, enfatiza la continuidad y el impulso estratégico, con ambos líderes trabajando juntos durante el próximo año para asegurar una transición fluida.
F&M 은행 (나스닥: FMAO)는 중대한 리더십 변화를 발표했습니다: 앤드류 브릭스가 이사회의 의장직에서 물러나고, 케빈 J. 사우더가 즉시 후임자로 임명되었습니다. 브릭스는 7년간 이사회에 몸담았으며 2024년부터 의장직을 맡아왔고, 2026년 은퇴할 때까지 이사로서 계속 활동할 예정입니다.
사우더는 전 Sauder Woodworking Co.의 사장 겸 CEO로서 풍부한 리더십 경험을 가지고 있으며 2004년부터 이사회 멤버로 활동해왔습니다. 브릭스가 시작한 이번 전환 계획은 연속성과 전략적 동력을 강조하며, 두 리더가 향후 1년간 협력하여 원활한 인수인계를 보장할 것입니다.
F&M Bank (Nasdaq : FMAO) a annoncé une transition majeure au sein de sa direction : Andrew Briggs démissionne de son poste de président du conseil d'administration, et Kevin J. Sauder est nommé pour lui succéder, avec effet immédiat. Briggs, qui siège au conseil depuis sept ans et en est président depuis 2024, continuera d’exercer en tant que directeur jusqu’à sa retraite prévue en 2026.
Sauder, ancien président-directeur général de Sauder Woodworking Co., apporte une vaste expérience en leadership et est membre du conseil depuis 2004. Le plan de transition, initié par Briggs, met l’accent sur la continuité et le dynamisme stratégique, les deux dirigeants collaborant au cours de l’année à venir pour assurer un transfert harmonieux.
F&M Bank (Nasdaq: FMAO) gab eine bedeutende Führungsänderung bekannt: Andrew Briggs tritt als Vorstandsvorsitzender zurück, und Kevin J. Sauder wurde mit sofortiger Wirkung zu seinem Nachfolger ernannt. Briggs, der seit sieben Jahren im Vorstand ist und seit 2024 als Vorsitzender fungiert, wird bis zu seiner Pensionierung im Jahr 2026 weiterhin als Direktor tätig sein.
Sauder, ehemaliger Präsident und CEO von Sauder Woodworking Co., bringt umfassende Führungserfahrung mit und ist seit 2004 Vorstandsmitglied. Der von Briggs initiierte Übergangsplan legt Wert auf Kontinuität und strategischen Schwung, wobei beide Führungskräfte im kommenden Jahr zusammenarbeiten, um eine reibungslose Übergabe sicherzustellen.
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ARCHBOLD, Ohio, July 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- F&M Bank (“F&M”), an Archbold, Ohio-based bank owned by Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: FMAO), announced that Andrew Briggs, Chairman of the Board, will step down from his position as part of a plan he initiated. Briggs, who has served on the Board for seven years and as Chairman since 2024, will continue serving as a director through his retirement from the Board in 2026 and will work closely with newly appointed Chairman, Kevin J. Sauder, to ensure a seamless transition.
Sauder, who currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Board and is Retired President & CEO of Sauder Woodworking Co., has been named Chairman of the Board, effective today. A member of F&M’s Board since 2004, Sauder brings extensive leadership experience, deep community ties, and a strong commitment to the mission and values of F&M Bank. He and Briggs will work together over the coming year to support board continuity and strategic momentum.
“Andrew’s guidance has been instrumental in helping F&M expand our footprint and deepen our community relationships,” said Lars B. Eller, President and CEO of F&M Bank. “He has been a passionate advocate for our employees, customers, and shareholders. His dedication to ensuring a smooth and collaborative transition is a reflection of his deep commitment to F&M’s future.”
Eller added, “Kevin is a thoughtful, strategic leader who understands the importance of relationship banking in the communities we serve. His business acumen, integrity, and vision make him an ideal successor. I look forward to working with Kevin in his new role as Chairman as we continue building on the strong foundation Andrew helped establish.”
Throughout his tenure, Briggs has played a vital role in advancing F&M’s strategic vision, supporting its community banking mission, and strengthening its governance. His leadership has positioned the bank for continued growth and sustained value for all stakeholders.
About F&M Bank:
F&M Bank is a local independent community bank that has been serving its communities since 1897. F&M Bank provides commercial banking, retail banking and other financial services. Our locations are in Butler, Champaign, Fulton, Defiance, Hancock, Henry, Lucas, Shelby, Williams, and Wood counties in Ohio. In Northeast Indiana, we have offices located in Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Jay, Steuben and Wells counties. The Michigan footprint includes Oakland County, and we have Loan Production Offices in Troy, Michigan; Muncie, Indiana; and Perrysburg and Bryan, Ohio.
Safe harbor statement
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements by F&M, including management’s expectations and comments, may not be based on historical facts and are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21B of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Actual results could vary materially depending on risks and uncertainties inherent in general and local banking conditions, competitive factors specific to markets in which F&M and its subsidiaries operate, future interest rate levels, legislative and regulatory decisions, capital market conditions, or the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and its impacts on our credit quality and business operations, as well as its impact on general economic and financial market conditions. F&M assumes no responsibility to update this information. For more details, please refer to F&M’s SEC filing, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Such filings can be viewed at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov or through F&M’s website www.fm.bank.
| Company Contact: | Investor and Media Contact: |
| Lars B. Eller President and Chief Executive Officer Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (419) 446-2501 leller@fm.bank | Andrew M. Berger Managing Director SM Berger & Company, Inc. (216) 464-6400 andrew@smberger.com |
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