Company: MCHB
Filing Date: 2025-04-15
Form Type: DEF 14A
Source: 0001518715-25-000066
Chunk: 26

Company: Mechanics Bancorp
Filing Date: 2025-04-15
Form: DEF 14A
Chunk 26
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5) the Company’s stakeholders; (6) how the directors’ own background, knowledge and skillsets can contribute to the Board’s work and the Company’s goals; (7) the background, knowledge and skillsets of each of the other directors and key leaders of the Company; (8) how Board decisions are made; and (9) the Company’s formal governing policies and practices. The onboarding and orientation process involves several meetings with the CEO, the lead independent director, standing committee chairpersons, a Board mentor, key executives including the general counsel and other staff members. These meetings cover a broad array of topics including the strategic plan and planning process; the Company’s vision values goals and culture; the Company’s recent successes and challenges; charters of the Company, its principal subsidiaries and various committees; Board and executive compensation details and philosophies; recent CEO performance reviews; executive leadership and succession planning; organization charts; biographies; Board development and training. Copies of key Board documents are scheduled and provided in hard copy or by electronic access to each new member.

#### Board Leadership Structure
Our Board believes that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders for the Board to retain discretion to determine whether to separate the roles of Chairman of the Board and CEO based upon varying circumstances, and the majority of our shareholders have supported this approach, voting against a proposal to require the separation of those roles at our 2019 annual shareholder meeting. The Board is currently chaired by Mr. Mason, our CEO, who is subject to re-appointment as Chairman of the Board each year by the Board. Our Principles of Corporate Governance provide that if the Chairman of the Board is an executive of the Company, the independent directors shall elect a Lead Independent Director.

The Company’s Bylaws and Principles of Corporate Governance provide a clear description of the role of the Lead Independent Director. The Lead Independent Director presides over all executive sessions of independent or non-management directors, and in the absence of the Chairman of the Board presides over shareholder meetings and Board meetings; serves as the liaison between the Chairman and the independent directors; meets with the Chairman prior to all Board Meetings to review and discuss the agenda; and has the right to approve meeting agendas, meeting schedules and other information sent to the Board. The Lead Independent Director also serves as the primary point of contact (through the Corporate Secretary) for shareholders wishing to engage with the Board.

The Board maintains a Lead Independent Director to facilitate discussion, coordinate and reflect the views of the independent directors and, most importantly, to