First United Bank & Trust announced that Carissa Rodeheaver, chairman, president, and CEO, will retire after the 2026 annual meeting scheduled for May 7, 2026.
To facilitate the succession plan, Rodeheaver will serve as executive chairman of the corporation and the bank starting January 1, 2006, until her retirement.
Rodeheaver has served as CEO since 2016. Under her leadership, First United achieved record financial performance, increased its stock price, delivered steady dividend payments, and enhanced its reputation as a trusted industry leader.
“It has been the honor of my 33+ year career to serve First United and its stakeholders,” Rodeheaver said. “I am deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished together through our commitment to community banking and am confident in the Company’s future.”
Jason Rush, the current senior vice president and chief operating officer, will succeed Rodeheaver as president and CEO of both the corporation and the bank effective January 1, 2026. Further, the boards intend to elect Rush to serve as a director of the corporation and the bank.
Rush has served as senior vice president and COO at the company since January 2017. In addition, Rush has held various roles at the firm since joining the bank in 1993.
“On behalf of the board, I want to express our deepest gratitude to Carissa Rodeheaver for her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence,” Brian Boal, lead independent director, said. “Thanks to her dedication to long-term growth and focus on leadership development, First United is well-positioned for continued success.”
Following retirement, Rodeheaver will remain available in an advisory capacity to support a seamless transition. She looks forward to dedicating more time to family, travel and those items that bring her personal joy.
First United Corporation operates one full-service commercial bank, First United Bank & Trust. The Bank, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. The bank has a network of community offices in Garrett, Allegany, Washington, and Frederick counties in Maryland, as well as Mineral, Berkeley, and Monongalia counties in West Virginia.