The Middlefield Banking Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Middlefield Banc Corp., expanded by hiring Josh Riley as senior vice president and chief commercial market executive in central Ohio and Jerry Benko as senior vice president and chief commercial market executive in northeast Ohio. Riley and Beno will help expand and manage Middlefield’s commercial banking brand in their respective regions.

“Josh and Jerry are proven bankers both with over 20 years of experience serving the unique needs of their respective markets,” James R. Heslop II, CEO of Middlefield, said. “We look forward to Josh and Jerry’s contributions as Middlefield expands its community-focused teams in central and northeast Ohio.”

Riley has more than 21 years of financial services experience within the central Ohio market. Prior to joining Middlefield, Riley was a vice president at First Merchants Bank and was responsible for developing middle-market and small corporate banking relationships while also stewarding internal partnership collaboration initiatives in Ohio. Before joining First Merchants Bank, Riley held officer positions with investment, regional and community banks.

Benko has more than 21 years of banking experience within the northeast Ohio market. Benko is a commercial banker and former business owner. Most recently, he was the market manager and vice president at Huntington National Bank, where he managed a cross-functional team of business development officers, an SBA specialist and a portfolio manager. Prior to his six years at Huntington National Bank, Benko spent 15 years at PNC Bank in a variety of progressive banking roles.