Mattoon, IL (November 20, 2024) First Mid Bancshares, Inc. has appointed Paul L. Palmby to the company’s board of directors, effective November 19, 2024. Palmby will also serve on the board of directors of First Mid Bank & Trust, which is a subsidiary of the company.
Palmby currently serves as the President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director for Seneca Foods Corporation, a publicly traded food procurement and processing company based in Janesville, WI. His career at Seneca Foods has spanned more than 35 years with increasing levels of responsibility providing broad experience in P&L responsibility, mergers & acquisitions, manufacturing, and food processing. Palmby brings additional depth and expertise to the board, as it relates to the First Mid’s existing portfolio and growth opportunities in those sectors. He will serve on several key committees, including Audit and Risk.
“We are thrilled to welcome Paul to the First Mid team,” said Joe Dively, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at First Mid. “His extensive experience in the food industry, deep knowledge of agriculture and manufacturing, and thorough understanding of banking, including his previous role as a board member for Blackhawk Bank, bring a unique perspective to our team. As we continue to build on the legacy of Blackhawk and expand our impact, Paul’s insights and leadership will be invaluable in helping us drive meaningful value for our customers, employees, and shareholders.”
“I am honored to join First Mid’s board of directors and work alongside such a talented and dedicated group of leaders,” said Palmby. “Having previously served on the board of Blackhawk, I have witnessed firsthand the company’s commitment to excellence and its focus on delivering value to customers and communities. I look forward to contributing my experience and insights to support the continued growth and success of First Mid.”
Involvement in various organizations and activities reflects Palmby’s passion for helping people, businesses, and communities at local, state, and national levels. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Farming For The Future Foundation. Previous positions include past director of the Midwest Food Processors Association and Northwest Food Processors Association boards, past board member of Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, past board member of the Wisconsin FFA Foundation and past chairman of the Wisconsin FFA Foundation Sponsors Board, and former executive committee member and board of trustees’ chairman of the Produce for Better Health Foundation.
A proponent of agriculture, Palmby remains active in industry-related Farm Bill advocacy, having testified twice in front of congressional committees on Fruit and Vegetable Industry matters. In 2004, 2006, and 2018, he was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to the USDA Fruit and Vegetable Advisory Committee. After being appointed by former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, Palmby served on the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection Board of Directors from 2015-2021. He was reappointed by current Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and is currently serving his second term through 2027.
Palmby grew up on a farm in southeastern Minnesota and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business from Iowa State University. He has participated in Agribusiness Seminars at Harvard Business School and has attended The Chicago Executive Institute through the University of Chicago School of Business.
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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, Inc., and First Mid Wealth Management Company. First Mid is a $7.6 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. 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.