Meet Barbara Britenriker - OFIC Trustee Spotlight

Barbara Britenriker is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Chair of The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges (OFIC) Board of Trustees.

Britenriker has a bachelor's degree in math and business with an emphasis in computer science from one of our member campuses, Defiance College. She has also received her master’s degree in business administration from the University of Toledo.

Since her graduation from Defiance College, Britenriker has enjoyed the energy, opportunities and challenges she has been granted at Farmers & Merchants State Bank, fulfilling many different roles over the years.

Britenriker was introduced to OFIC through the fundraising side and was excited to eventually accept the offer of being a board member.

“When you are passionate in what you are helping, I believe in acting upon that,” she said.

When asked about how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the work field, Britenriker believes the social aspect, specifically soft skills, are lost within the virtual world. Skilled positions work well being 100% remote, but in a position of leadership, those people need to be seen.

“The pandemic changed how the current workforce viewed work. I don’t think our workforce will ever change back to how it was pre-pandemic,” Britenriker said.

In her free time, Britenriker enjoys going on jogs to allow her to clear her head and collect her thoughts. OFIC is grateful to have Barbara as the Chair for the OFIC Board of Trustees. Barb graciously shared insights into OFIC's Core Values during her closing remarks at the Awards Luncheon. Read Now.

To learn more about Britenriker and Farmers & Merchants State Bank, click here.