First Midwest Bancorp has appointed Ellen A. Rudnick as lead independent director. Rudnick succeeds J. Stephen Vanderwoude, who decided to retire and will continue to serve as a director of First Midwest and as a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance and Enterprise Risk Committees.

“Since becoming a director in 2005, Ellen has always provided valuable strategic insight and important contributions to our board,” said Michael L. Scudder, chairman and chief executive officer of First Midwest. “Her extensive leadership, corporate governance and public company board experience, as well as her understanding of our company and our industry, made her an ideal choice to serve as lead independent director.”

Scudder continued, “I also want to thank Steve Vanderwoude for his leadership as our first Lead Independent Director. I am pleased Steve will remain as a director so that we may continue to benefit from his knowledge, perspectives and collaborative approach.”