Coldwater, Mich. (WKHM) — Southern Michigan Bankcorp and Southern Michigan Bank & Trust, known collectively as Southern, have appointed John Waldron as president and CEO effective today.

Previous CEO John Castle and President Kurt Miller are planning to retire after decades of leadership, according to a press release. Waldron joined Southern in May 2022 to serve as president of the bank’s Jackson market, bringing nearly three decades of commercial banking and leadership experience to the position. According to the statement by Southern, Castle will continue to serve as chairman of the board while Miller will transition to serve as vice chairman.

Headquartered in Coldwater, Southern was founded in 1872.

“I am honored to step into this leadership role with Southern,” Waldron said. “I am grateful for the confidence of John Castle, Kurt Miller, and Southern’s board of directors for trusting me as the new president and CEO.”

Southern has $1.4 billion in assets and 230 team members in 18 branches/offices across Branch, Calhoun, Hillsdale, Jackson, Kalamazoo, and St. Joseph counties.