(STURGIS) - Sturgis Bancorp, Inc. has announced that Eric Eishen is retiring after 45 years of service to Sturgis Bank, its subsidiary community bank.

The announcement marks the completion of a planned succession process that began in July 2022 when Eishen turned over day-to-day operations of the community bank to Jason Hyska as chief executive officer and Matt Scheske as president and chief operating officer. Eishen, who retained the Sturgis Bancorp roles of president and CEO and added Sturgis Bank roles of executive vice president and chief strategy officer, is now retiring from all responsibilities with Sturgis Bancorp, Sturgis Bank and its subsidiaries.

Sturgis Bancorp’s board of directors unanimously appointed Hyska to serve as president and CEO effective immediately.

Eishen began his work at Sturgis Bank at age 12, mowing the grass, weeding flower beds and washing windows for his father, Leonard, who was then Sturgis Bank president and CEO. He began his banking career as a teller at age 15, serving in roles of increasing responsibility until he became president, CEO and a director of Sturgis Bancorp in 2002 and of the Bank in May 2003.

Active professionally in the banking industry and business community, Eishen is a past chair and board member of the Michigan Bankers Association, which named him Banker of the Year in 2014. He served in various leadership roles with the Michigan League of Savings Banks, America’s Community Bankers, Michigan Bankers PAC and the Robert M. Perry School of Banking, as well as on committees for the American Bankers Association. Eishen serves as board member and treasurer of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.

Eishen also serves on the boards of the Sturgis Downtown Development Authority, Sturgis Improvement Association and Sturgis Brownfield Development Board. He is a trustee and Finance Committee advisor of the Sturgis Area Community Foundation and a board member and treasurer of St. Joseph County EDGE.