Meet the Team
Mark Hardwick
Chief Executive Officer of First Merchants Corporation and First Merchants Bank
Mark K. Hardwick currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of First Merchants Corporation and First Merchants Bank.
Mark joined First Merchants in November of 1997 as corporate controller and was promoted to Chief Financial Officer in 2002. In 2007, Hardwick also assumed all leadership responsibilities related to operations, technology, and risk management for the corporation. In 2016, Mark’s title expanded to include Chief Operating Officer, overseeing the leadership responsibilities for finance, operations, technology, risk, legal, and facilities for the corporation. In 2021, Mark was promoted to Chief Executive Officer. Prior to joining First Merchants Corporation, Mark served as a senior accountant with BKD, LLP in Indianapolis.
Mark is a graduate of Ball State University with a master’s in business administration and bachelor’s degree in accounting. He is also a certified public accountant and a graduate of the Stonier School of Banking.
As a leader in the Central Indiana community, Mark serves as the Chair for the Audit Committee at Ball State University and Board of Directors for the George & Frances Ball Foundation.
Mark is a member of the Ball State University Athletics Hall of Fame.
Mark and his wife, Cathy, live in Carmel and have two children, Halie and Bryce.
“Next Muncie is focused on accelerating the economic vitality of our city. Positive outcomes are the priority, and the team is committed to the long-term success of this exciting revitalization effort.”