Michael E. Schrage, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Centier Bank, is pleased to announce Anthony Contrucci has been named President of First Bancshares Inc., the bank’s holding company.
Contrucci, who is married to Schrage’s middle daughter, Melissa, joined Centier Bank in 2011 and has a total 20 years of experience in the financial and banking industries. Contrucci currently serves on First Bancshares’ and Centier Bank’s Board of Directors. His prior roles at Centier Bank included Director of Investment Services, and Senior Vice President of Community Relations, as well as in the bank’s wealth management department as a strategic products consultant.
Headquartered in Merrillville, Indiana, First Bancshares, Inc. is the parent holding company of Centier Bank. Founded in 1895, Centier Bank is the largest, private, family-owned bank in Indiana, offering a full range of financial services with 60 offices in 35 communities across Indiana.
As Schrage’s son-in-law and co-leader of the fifth generation of Centier Bank family ownership, Contrucci’s contributions within the broader family enterprise have provided him with a focus on governance, strategic planning, succession planning, and business continuity.
“It’s my sincere honor to be named the President of First Bancshares, Inc.,” Contrucci explained. “I am dedicated to my role of living out Centier’s purpose of enriching lives through financial guidance for an even better tomorrow and upholding our family’s commitment to remain family-owned for generations to come.”
Schrage said he’s looking forward to continuing the organization’s 128-year legacy and is proud of the leadership displayed by his sons-in-law and three daughters as they represent the Fifth Generation of the bank’s private family ownership.
“Anthony is driven and has a passion for Centier’s perpetuity,” Schrage explained. “He possesses a strong commitment to impacting and enriching lives in our communities and sharing our Servant Heart Culture with others.”
First Bancshares has recently welcomed Ethan White as Director, Troy Borlick as Senior Associate, and Shelly Bugajski, Office Manager, Private Investments. The Private Investments Team, along with First Bancshares Management Team, is responsible for the organization’s investments in privately held financial services companies across the country.
Contrucci holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from Bentley University, as well as a Masters of Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University in Florida, and is a graduate of Stonier Graduate School of Banking.
Contrucci resides in Porter County, Indiana with his family. He is a devoted family man and is a generous philanthropist to dozens of nonprofit organizations, donating his time, talent, and treasure to those in need across Indiana communities.
For more information about Anthony Contrucci, email acontrucci@fbancshares.com. For more information about Centier Bank, go to centier.com and First Bancshares, go to www.fbancshares.com .
