The board of directors for First Independent Bank has named Jack Muench to fill the position of president and chief executive officer.
“Jack joins us at a time when we are all striving to overcome our grief associated with the passing of John J. Lee, president of the bank since its inception,” said Charles Spangler, board chairman.
“I know if John was choosing his successor, it would be Jack Muench, hands down, due to their close friendship and business relationship. Both served together on bank boards at First Independent and Bank of Macks Creek for a number of years. They held each other in the highest esteem,” said Spangler.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to become active once again in the Aurora area and to work with an exceptional group of officers and employees who believe as strongly as I do in community banking,” said Muench about his new post.
“We’ll all work together to continue the fine banking tradition established by John J., Charles and a supportive board of directors consisting of, among others, John Marks, an Aurora native with 38 years of banking experience.”
This move is a homecoming of sorts for Muench, who grew up in Aurora. He graduated from Aurora High School in 1972, then attended the University of Missouri, earning degrees in accounting and law. He began his banking career in 1982 with Metropolitan National Bank in Springfield as executive vice president and later as president and a founder of Countryside Bank in Republic.
Muench indicated he would remain involved as a director of the Bank of Missouri (formerly Countryside Bank), which has offices in both Republic and Springfield.
Muench and his wife, Cyndy, have three children, Bryan, Robert and Leslie. His mother, Virginia, is a lifelong Aurora resident.
Muench began his new duties on March 30.
