Farmers and Merchants Bank adds two new board members, names Chief Lending Officer

Kyle Ludwig and Dr. Chris Morgan have been elected to three-year terms of the board of directors of Stuttgart-based Farmers and Merchants Bank and its holding company, Farmers and Merchants Bankshares, Inc.

Also, Kirk Vansandt has been promoted to Chief Lending Officer of Farmers and Merchants Bank.

Ludwig is a native of Springdale, Arkansas and resides in Stuttgart with his wife Whitney Ludwig, and their three daughters. A graduate of Springdale High School, he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

After graduating college he began his career working at Ludwig Distributing Company. He held various positions in the company and currently serves as Vice President and General Manager. Ludwig has more than 20 years of experience with Ludwig Distributors. During his career, he has also served as Chairman of the Board of the Wholesale Beer Distributors of Arkansas. He is currently the Treasurer and a member of the board of the Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce.

“His indispensable knowledge of business and the community serves an integral part of his role as our new board member,” said Farmers and Merchants Bank President and CEO Gary Hudson. “This organization benefits greatly from the knowledge and expertise he brings to the table.”

Morgan is a native of Stuttgart. He and his wife Kimberly Morgan have two sons. A graduate of Stuttgart High School, Morgan attended Hendrix College where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. He then studied at UAMS College of Medicine where he became a practitioner of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics.

Morgan practices medicine at the Baptist Health Medical Center in Stuttgart. He also serves as a board member for the Stuttgart Memorial Hospital Foundation. In addition to his professional work, his civic activities include serving as Vice-President of the Stuttgart Public School Board and President of the Harry “Butch” Richenback Scholarship Foundation. He is a managing member of Coastal Laboratories of Arkansas and the President of Walker Jones Land Company.

“His extensive business and community leadership background contributes to his qualification as an essential part of our banking family,” said Hudson. “We are confident he will enrich our organization as we continue to expand into new markets.”

Farmers and Merchants Bank recently acquired Integrity First Bank bringing the bank’s footprint to 28 branches in 18 communities across the state.

Vansandt has served as Market President and Loan Officer based in DeWitt. He was promoted to Senior Vice-President in 2013. He began his career with the bank in September 2008 as a Loan Officer before his promotion to Chief Lending Officer.

“The board and I are excited to add Kirk to our executive team of leaders,” said Hudson.

A graduate of DeWitt High School, Vansandt attended college at the University of Central Arkansas graduating in 1992 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.

“I look forward to the opportunity to work with the great group of lenders and banking staff we have across the state from Farmers & Merchants Bank and The Bank of Fayetteville, as well as the upcoming merger with Integrity First Bank and their employees as we have the common goal of serving our customers and our communities,” said Vansandt.

He and his wife Holly reside in St. Charles. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting and being outdoors with family and friends.