Lakeland Financial Corporation (Nasdaq:LKFN) and Lake City Bank today announced that David M. Findlay will be appointed the chief executive officer of both organizations at the April 8, 2014, annual meeting of Lakeland Financial Corporation shareholders.

Michael L. Kubacki, who will retain the title of chief executive officer until the 2014 annual meeting, will remain the chairman of the board of both organizations following Findlay’s appointment. Findlay will continue in his current role as president and chief financial officer of Lakeland Financial Corporation and Lake City Bank until his appointment in April. The company has initiated a search to identify a new chief financial officer to succeed Findlay.

Kubacki commented, “This decision is the next step in an ongoing management succession process that the board has been implementing for the past several years. I have worked very closely with David for the past 13 years and have absolute confidence in his ability to lead the bank. He has been instrumental in our success and will be an excellent CEO going forward.”

Findlay added, “I am excited to be given this opportunity and look forward to continuing to work with Mike in his new role. He’s been an exceptional leader for the Lake City Bank team and I will be honored to succeed him as CEO. We are particularly happy that Mike will continue to serve as executive chairman through 2016, and that we will continue to benefit from his experience and leadership. It will be a critical step toward ensuring a successful transition.”

Findlay joined Lake City Bank as executive vice president and chief financial officer in 2000. He was promoted to president of Lakeland Financial Corporation and Lake City Bank and joined their respective boards in September 2010, while also retaining the role of CFO. His career in financial services began in 1984 with The Northern Trust Company in Chicago.

Findlay is active in a number of industry and community organizations, including the boards of OrthoWorx, Northern Indiana Workforce Board, Ivy Tech Community College Foundation, WNIT Public Television, The Logan Center, The Chicago Federal Reserve Bank Community Depository Institution Advisory Council, The American Bankers Association Government Administration Relations Council, The Elkhart County Community Foundation, Grow SJC Economic Development Governance Council, The Indiana Bankers Association Holding Company and The Indiana Bankers Association Service Corporation.

Lakeland Financial Corporation is a $3.0 billion bank holding company headquartered in Warsaw. Lake City Bank serves Indiana with 45 branches located in the following Indiana counties: Kosciusko, Elkhart, Allen, St. Joseph, DeKalb, Fulton, Hamilton, Huntington, LaGrange, Marshall, Noble, Pulaski and Whitley. A 46th office in Fishers, Ind., is expected to open in late 2013.

Lakeland Financial Corporation may be accessed on the home page of its subsidiary, Lake City Bank, at www.lakecitybank.com.