Thomas C. Shafer is the Chief Executive Officer and Board member of First Foundation Bank and its holding company First Foundation, Inc. With a wealth of experience in the banking industry, Mr. Shafer previously retired from Huntington National Bank in 2022, where he held the positions of SEVP and Co-President of the Commercial Bank following the acquisition of TCF Bank in June 2021. At TCF Bank, he served as CEO and Vice Chair of the holding company.
Before his time at TCF, Mr. Shafer served as CEO and President of Chemical Bank and as Vice Chairman and Director of Chemical Financial Corporation. Prior to this role, he was the President of Talmer Bank and Vice Chairman of Talmer Bancorp, Inc. Additionally, during his tenure at Talmer, he was the CEO, President and Director of First Place Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Talmer Bancorp, Inc., from acquisition until the merger into Talmer Bank. Prior to Talmer, Mr. Shafer held various executive positions at Citizens Republic Bancorp, where he spent 16 years in roles such as EVP of Regional Banking, EVP of Commercial Banking, and Chief Credit Officer. He began his banking career at Michigan National Bank of Detroit.
Mr. Shafer holds a bachelors degree from Hillsdale College, majoring in economics and business administration, and political economy. He is also a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Graduate School of Banking.
Mr. Shafer's commitment to community service extends across the Midwest region, where he has held positions with many organizations. He currently serves as a Board member of Hillsdale College. Noteworthy previous roles include serving as a former director of the Detroit Regional Chamber, fostering economic growth and development in the Detroit area, and as the past chair of Detroit Public Television, reflecting his dedication to promoting educational programming and cultural enrichment within the community. His commitment to community service and philanthropy is further illustrated by his tenure as the former President of the Tall Pine Council of Boy Scouts of America and his previous role as a Trustee of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. These experiences underscore his dedication to youth development and the arts, showcasing a well-rounded and influential leader who continues to make a positive impact in both local and national arenas.