Chemical Financial Corporation, the holding company for Chemical Bank, and Michigan’s largest headquartered banking company, announced the addition of Brennan Ryan as chief operating officer.

“Adding a strong executive, like Brennan, is crucial in successfully managing our organization as a leading regional bank,” said Thomas C. Shafer, vice chairman of Chemical and president and CEO of Chemical Bank. “He is an industry leader in mergers and acquisitions with a deep knowledge in risk management and regulatory requirements. As a seasoned and trusted leader I am confident he will deliver results.”

Ryan, 49, has worked with various members of Chemical’s management team for the last decade, and in his role as COO, will be responsible for oversight of the Bank’s overall risk as well as its legal, compliance, credit risk and regulatory functions. Ryan previously served as a partner at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, a 600+ attorney law firm with offices across the United States. In this role, he helped lead the firm’s services in financial institution activities, mergers and acquisitions, public and private capital financings, and multi-company acquisition strategies for large corporate entities. 

“This is a tremendous opportunity for Brennan, and we extend our congratulations and wish him the best of luck,” said Jim Lehman, Managing Partner of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough.  “This demonstrates the trusted business advisor relationship that we try to foster with our clients.  Brennan is one of our leading corporate lawyers, and we will miss his leadership, but we are confident that he will serve Chemical well in his new role.”