Bloomington, IL (January 29, 2026) First Mid Ag Services, a division of First Mid Wealth Management, announced the appointment of Craig Thompson as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Cory Kauffman as Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective in conjunction with the planned retirement of President Brian Thompson in June 2026.
These appointments are the result of a long-term succession plan designed to ensure continuity, leadership strength, and continued excellence in serving agricultural clients.
“Craig and Cory are highly respected leaders with extensive operational knowledge and strong client relationships,” said Brad Beesley, CEO of First Mid Wealth Management. “They represent the next generation of leadership for First Mid Ag Services, and we are confident in their ability to lead the organization forward while honoring the values and standards that define our Ag Services team.”
Craig Thompson currently serves as Regional Manager of the principal office in Bloomington and joined First Mid Ag Services in 2014 through its predecessor, Soy Capital Ag Services. He brings a unique blend of agricultural, real estate, and financial expertise to the CEO role. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Thompson holds Real Estate Broker licenses in Illinois, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and has earned the Accredited Farm Manager (AFM) and Accredited Land Consultant (ALC) designations. He remains active on his family’s grain and livestock farm in McLean County, IL.
Cory Kauffman currently serves as Regional Manager of the Mattoon office and joined First Mid Ag Services in 2011. A graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a degree in Business Finance, Kauffman brings extensive experience in farm management, valuation, insurance, and operations to the COO role. He earned his Accredited Farm Manager (AFM) designation in 2014 and is an Illinois State Certified General Real Estate Appraiser specializing in farmland valuations. Kauffman is also a licensed real estate broker and property and casualty insurance producer focused on crop insurance. He remains active in his family’s farming operation near Arthur, IL.
“Together, Craig and Cory bring complementary strengths that position First Mid Ag Services for continued growth and success,” Beesley said. “Their leadership, integrity, and deep roots in agriculture make them the right team to lead this organization into the future.”
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About First Mid Bancshares, Inc.: First Mid Bancshares, Inc. is the parent company of First Mid Bank & Trust, N.A., First Mid Insurance Group, and First Mid Wealth Management Company. First Mid is a $7.8 billion community-focused organization that provides financial services including banking, insurance, wealth management, brokerage, and ag services through a network of locations in Illinois, Missouri, Texas, and Wisconsin, and a loan production office in Indiana. Together, our First Mid team takes great pride in providing solutions and services to our customers and communities and has done so since 1865. This year, we proudly celebrate our 160th anniversary, marking a long history of dedication and service. More information about the Company is available on our website at www.firstmid.com. Our stock is traded in The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC under the ticker symbol “FMBH”. Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender.
Investments and Insurance Products: Not a Deposit | Not Guaranteed by the Bank or its Affiliates | Not FDIC Insured | Not Insured by Any Federal Government Agency | May Go Down in Value.