F&M Bank made several executive leadership appointments designed to strengthen operational execution, enhance legal and compliance capabilities, advance its people strategy and position the organization for continued growth.
“As F&M continues to grow, it is important that our leadership structure evolves alongside the organization,” Lars Eller, president and CEO of F&M, said. “These appointments strengthen our ability to execute strategically, make timely decisions and continue delivering the relationship-focused banking experience our customers and communities expect.”
F&M promoted Eric Faust to executive vice president and chief operating officer. Faust joined F&M in 2022 as chief risk officer and has successfully led the bank’s enterprise risk management, compliance, internal audit and Bank Secrecy Act functions while helping build a strong risk framework to support the organization’s continued growth.
As chief operating officer, Faust will oversee bank operations, compliance, legal, enterprise risk management, information technology and information security, ensuring F&M’s strategic priorities are translated into operational excellence across the organization.
“Eric has been instrumental in strengthening our risk framework and guiding the organization through a period of tremendous growth,” Eller said. “His leadership, strategic perspective and operational discipline make him exceptionally well-suited to serve as our chief operating officer.”
F&M also appointed Melody Charlton as chief legal and compliance officer. Charlton brings extensive legal and regulatory expertise to F&M, having held compliance leadership positions with Prudential Financial, GE Capital, Bank of the Sierra and Northrim Bank. She has also served as a licensed practicing attorney, a course facilitator for the American Bankers Association, and an examiner with the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.
In her role, Charlton will establish F&M’s in-house legal function while leading the bank’s compliance organization. The addition of this position reflects the bank’s continued investment in supporting its increasing size and complexity while enhancing legal oversight, managing legal expenses and advancing strategic initiatives.
“Melody’s depth of experience in both banking law and regulatory compliance will be a tremendous asset as we continue to grow,” Eller said. “Bringing this expertise in-house enhances our ability to support the organization while strengthening our legal and compliance capabilities for the future.”
Benét Rupp will continue serving as executive vice president and chief people officer, following a successful interim leadership period. Rupp previously served as F&M’s chief people officer and later chief administrative officer before returning to the organization in late 2025 to provide stability and leadership for the human resources function. Since her return, she has helped advance the bank’s strategic focus on organizational culture, employee experience, leadership development and workforce excellence.
“Benét has been instrumental in strengthening our people strategy during an important period of growth,” Eller said. “Her leadership, experience and commitment to our employees continue to make a meaningful impact, and I’m excited to have her leading this critical area of our organization.”
Dave Gerken, executive vice president and chief lending officer, will undertake an expansion of responsibilities. Gerken joined F&M in 2016 and was promoted to chief lending officer in 2024. In his expanded role, he will provide leadership and strategic guidance to the bank’s regional presidents, supporting growth initiatives, aligning regional execution and helping move decision-making closer to customers while maintaining strong credit quality and service standards.
“Dave has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership, deep market knowledge, and a strong commitment to relationship banking,” Eller said. “Expanding his role will further strengthen our regional strategy and help ensure we continue delivering local decision-making while supporting disciplined growth.”
Eller concluded, “F&M’s success has always been driven by our people. These leadership appointments position us to continue executing our strategy while remaining focused on building lasting relationships with our customers, investing in our employees, and creating long-term value for our shareholders.”
