ALMA, Mich., Feb. 1, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Edward B. Grant, Chairman of Firstbank (Mt. Pleasant) Board of Directors, and Thomas R. Sullivan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Firstbank Corporation (Nasdaq:FBMI), announced that the bank's Board of Directors has appointed Douglas J. Ouellette, President and Chief Executive Officer of Firstbank (Mt. Pleasant), and a Vice President of Firstbank Corporation.
Ouellette joined Firstbank (Mt. Pleasant) in 2000 as Vice President of Commercial Lending. In 2003, he was named Senior Vice President and in 2005 was named Executive Vice President responsible for marketing, business development and the retail operations of the bank. Previously, Doug had been Community Bank President -- Cadillac for Old Kent Bank. Doug and his wife, Amy, are both graduates of Central Michigan University, and reside in Mt. Pleasant with their three children.
Grant said "Doug has been a tremendous asset to our bank and has been instrumental in our continued success and growth to over $200 Million in assets." Grant continued, "Tom Sullivan remains the President and Chief Executive Officer of Firstbank Corporation, and will remain a member of the Mt. Pleasant Board of Directors, but his energy will now be focused on our holding company. We have been preparing for this day and are confident that Doug will continue our record of success in the Mt. Pleasant community."
Sullivan commented, "I am certain that Doug Ouellette will be successful in his new role as the President of Firstbank (Mt. Pleasant). His strong banking background combined with his community involvement has prepared him for this leadership position. His community activities include having served as the Chair of Mid-Michigan Industries, the Chair of the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce, and as a member of the Mt. Pleasant Country Club. Doug also serves the banking industry as a member of the Education Committee of the Michigan Association of Community Bankers. Doug and I have worked very closely since his hiring in 2000, and I fully support him in his new role as President of our Mt. Pleasant bank."
Firstbank Corporation, headquartered in Alma, Michigan is a six bank financial services company with assets of $1.1 billion and 41 banking offices serving Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Bank subsidiaries include: Firstbank -- Alma; Firstbank (Mt. Pleasant); Firstbank -- West Branch; Firstbank -- Lakeview; Firstbank -- St. Johns; and Keystone Community Bank.