Independent Bank Executive and Leadership Team

Denny Buchanan, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Independent Bank, directs the overarching strategic vision for the organization. Overseeing the entire financial services portfolio, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment between commercial banking objectives and long-term shareholder value. This leadership role involves constant evaluation of market conditions across the Michigan Lower Peninsula to maintain competitive advantage. By fostering a culture of exceptional personal service, Denny Buchanan drives the institution toward sustainable growth and operational excellence. The President & Chief Executive Officer collaborates closely with the Board to refine corporate governance and risk management frameworks. Through rigorous oversight of the state-chartered bank subsidiary, the President & Chief Executive Officer secures the financial health of the enterprise. Ultimately, Buchanan maintains the institution's reputation as a cornerstone of community banking while navigating complex regulatory environments and evolving consumer demands within the regional financial sector.

Jim Theal, the Chief Financial Officer at Independent Bank, manages the fiscal integrity and capital allocation strategies of the organization. Overseeing financial reporting, budgeting, and treasury functions, the Chief Financial Officer ensures the bank maintains a strong balance sheet to support mortgage lending and commercial banking activities. This leadership role requires precise analysis of economic trends impacting the Michigan market to optimize investment returns. By implementing robust financial controls, Jim Theal mitigates institutional risk and enhances operational efficiency. The Chief Financial Officer coordinates with executive leadership to allocate resources toward high-growth initiatives and digital transformation projects. Through diligent monitoring of liquidity and capital ratios, the Chief Financial Officer safeguards the institution against market volatility. Ultimately, Theal provides the financial clarity necessary for the bank to deliver consistent value to stockholders while expanding the reach of financial services across the Lower Peninsula.

Greg Mohr, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Amp at Independent Bank, manages specialized financial operations and strategic asset management. Overseeing the fiscal performance of specific business units, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Amp ensures that departmental budgets align with the bank's broader commercial banking goals. This leadership role involves analyzing complex financial data to identify opportunities for revenue enhancement within the Michigan market. By streamlining internal financial processes, Greg Mohr improves the overall agility of the organization. The Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Amp works alongside the executive team to refine capital strategies and support the expansion of title services. Through rigorous financial oversight, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Amp contributes to the stability and growth of the bank's diverse service offerings. Ultimately, Mohr ensures that specialized financial functions remain robust, transparent, and fully integrated into the corporate mission.

Melissa Esnard, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Independent Bank, manages corporate financial planning and investor relations. Overseeing the bank's long-term financial strategy, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer ensures that capital deployment supports the institution's commitment to community-based banking. This leadership role involves evaluating the financial viability of new investment products and title services. By maintaining transparent communication with stockholders, Melissa Esnard builds confidence in the bank's fiscal trajectory. The Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer coordinates with the broader finance team to ensure regulatory compliance and accurate financial reporting across all Michigan operations. Through the optimization of cost structures, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer enhances the profitability of the bank's commercial and mortgage lending divisions. Ultimately, Esnard provides the strategic financial guidance required to sustain the bank's market position and deliver consistent value to all stakeholders.

Gavin Mohr, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Independent Bank, directs the management of financial risk and liquidity across the organization. Overseeing the bank's asset-liability committee, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer ensures that the institution maintains a balanced portfolio capable of weathering economic fluctuations in the Michigan market. This leadership role involves stress-testing financial models to protect the bank's mortgage and commercial lending operations. By refining internal audit processes, Gavin Mohr strengthens the integrity of the bank's financial systems. The Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer collaborates with other senior leaders to ensure that capital reserves are sufficient to support community development initiatives. Through the rigorous analysis of market interest rates and credit trends, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer optimizes the bank's balance sheet. Ultimately, Mohr secures the financial foundation of the institution, enabling the bank to continue providing high-quality financial services to its customers.

Charlie Phillips, the President (Washington) at Independent Bank, oversees regional market expansion and business development initiatives. Directing the growth of financial services in the designated territory, the President (Washington) ensures that the bank's commercial banking and mortgage lending products meet the specific needs of the local community. This leadership role involves building strong relationships with local businesses and stakeholders to increase market share. By tailoring the bank's service model to regional nuances, Charlie Phillips drives customer acquisition and retention. The President (Washington) coordinates with the corporate office to ensure that regional operations align with the bank's overarching mission of exceptional personal service. Through the effective management of local teams, the President (Washington) fosters a culture of excellence and community engagement. Ultimately, Phillips expands the bank's footprint, ensuring that the institution's values and financial expertise reach a broader audience while maintaining the high standards expected of the brand.

Kyle Johns, the Regional President, Michigan (East) at Independent Bank, directs all banking operations and community outreach efforts within the eastern region. Overseeing the performance of local branches, the Regional President, Michigan (East) ensures that commercial banking and investment services are delivered with the high level of personal attention expected by customers. This leadership role involves identifying regional economic opportunities and tailoring the bank's service offerings to support local business growth. By fostering strong community ties, Kyle Johns enhances the bank's reputation as a trusted financial partner. The Regional President, Michigan (East) coordinates with corporate leadership to implement strategic initiatives that drive regional revenue and operational efficiency. Through the effective management of branch personnel, the Regional President, Michigan (East) maintains high standards of service and compliance. Ultimately, Johns strengthens the bank's presence in the eastern region, ensuring that the institution remains a vital contributor to the local economy.

Don Stevens, the Chief Information Officer at Independent Bank, architects the technological infrastructure supporting all banking operations. Overseeing cybersecurity, data management, and digital service platforms, the Chief Information Officer ensures seamless delivery of financial products to customers throughout Michigan. This leadership role involves modernizing legacy systems to improve the efficiency of mortgage processing and commercial banking workflows. By integrating advanced analytics, Don Stevens enables data-driven decision-making across the organization. The Chief Information Officer collaborates with other C-suite leaders to align technology investments with the broader mission of providing exceptional personal service. Through the implementation of secure, scalable cloud solutions, the Chief Information Officer protects sensitive customer information while facilitating innovation in digital banking. Ultimately, Stevens drives the technological evolution of the bank, ensuring the institution remains competitive in an increasingly digital financial landscape while maintaining the trust of the communities served.

Angela Champagne, the Senior Vice President Chief Human Resources Officer at Independent Bank, directs talent acquisition, organizational development, and employee engagement initiatives. Overseeing the human capital strategy, the Senior Vice President Chief Human Resources Officer ensures the workforce possesses the skills necessary to deliver exceptional personal service across the Michigan Lower Peninsula. This leadership role involves fostering a corporate culture that values integrity, professional growth, and community commitment. By implementing comprehensive training programs, Angela Champagne aligns employee performance with the bank's strategic objectives in mortgage lending and commercial banking. The Senior Vice President Chief Human Resources Officer collaborates with executive leadership to design compensation structures that attract and retain top talent in the competitive financial sector. Through the promotion of inclusive workplace policies, the Senior Vice President Chief Human Resources Officer strengthens the organizational foundation. Ultimately, Champagne drives the human element of the bank's success, ensuring a motivated team supports the institution's long-term goals.

Amy Anderson, the Secondary Marketing at Independent Bank, manages the sale and securitization of mortgage loans to optimize the bank's liquidity. Overseeing the secondary market pipeline, the Secondary Marketing ensures that the institution maintains a steady flow of capital to continue funding new mortgage lending opportunities across Michigan. This leadership role involves monitoring interest rate fluctuations and investor demand to maximize the value of the bank's loan portfolio. By executing strategic hedging activities, Amy Anderson mitigates the risks associated with mortgage market volatility. The Secondary Marketing collaborates with the lending team to ensure that loan products remain competitive and attractive to potential borrowers. Through the efficient management of investor relationships, the Secondary Marketing secures the funding necessary for the bank's ongoing growth. Ultimately, Anderson drives the financial performance of the mortgage division, ensuring that the bank remains a reliable source of home financing for the communities it serves.