First Busey Shakes Up Management Ahead of Pulaski Acquisition

First Busey in Champaign, Ill., has abruptly changed the responsibilities of several executives.

The $4 billion-asset company disclosed in a regulatory filing Monday that it removed Robert Plecki Jr. as its chief operating officer and as president and chief executive of its wealth management unit. Plecki will remain First Busey's chief credit officer and Curt Anderson will serve as the wealth management unit's interim president and CEO until a permanent replacement is named.

Robin Elliott was named to succeed Plecki as chief operating officer; he will also join First Busey’s board. Elliott, who is the company’s chief financial officer, will remain in that post until a replacement is found.

First Busey said its board is conducting searches for a new CFO and a leader for the wealth management business.

Susan Miller, the company's deputy CFO, was named chief accounting officer.

The company said in its filing that the changes were made "after assessing the current operating environment, evaluating future growth opportunities" and discussions with the board and management. First Busey said the changes also take into account its pending acquisition and planned integration of Pulaski Financial in St. Louis.