John Pelizzari named to Chemical Financial Corp.'s Board of Directors

John Pelizarri

MIDLAND, MI — John Pelizzari, chief operating officer of Burnette Foods Inc. and former chairman of the board of Northwestern Bancorp Inc., has been appointed to the Chemical Financial Corp. Board of Directors.

His appointment, which was effective Nov. 1, increases the board's membership to 12, according to a Chemical Financial Corp. news release.

"We are very pleased to welcome John to the Chemical Financial board," David Ramaker, chairman of the board, CEO and president of Chemical Financial Corp., said in a prepared statement.

"His business expertise, extensive knowledge of the banking industry and his demonstrated community leadership will be a tremendous asset to our company as we not only expand our presence in northern Michigan but continue on our Michigan-centric strategic growth trajectory."

Related: Midland's Chemical Financial Corp. announces senior management changes

In 1997, Pelizzari was named president and CEO of Fifth Third Bank Northern Michigan. He served as president and CEO until he was promoted to president and CEO of the then $4 billion asset, Fifth Third Bank Central Indiana.

In 2009, Pelizzari left the bank to join Burnette Foods, a family-owned company with five fruit and vegetable processing plants in western Michigan.

Pelizzari, who lives with his wife and four children in Traverse City, has long been active in his community.

He currently serves as vice-chairman of the board and chairman of the finance committee of Munson Health Care. He also serves on the corporate board of directors of Crystal Mountain Inc.

Pelizzari previously served as chairman and board member of Wishard Foundation, now Eskenazi Health, a large safety net hospital; chairman of Northwestern Michigan College Foundation; and an advisory council member for Central Michigan University School of Business.

Related: Chemical Financial Corp. to partner with Monarch Community Bancorp Inc.

In 2001, he was named Alumni of the Year by Northwestern Michigan College.

He received his associate's degree from Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse City, his BBA from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and his MBA from The George Washington University, Washington D.C.

Related: Chemical Financial Corp. completes acquisition of Northwestern Bancorp Inc.

Chemical Financial Corp. is the second largest banking company headquartered and operating branch offices in Michigan.

Chemical operates through a single subsidiary bank, Chemical Bank, with 182 banking offices in 46 counties in southwestern, central and northern Michigan.

— Heather Jordan covers business, Saginaw Valley State University, health and hospitals for MLive/The Saginaw News/The Bay City Times. She can be reached at 989-450-2652 or hjordan@mlive.com. For more news, follow her on Twitter and Facebook.

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