Author: Sarah Poss

First Freedom a Casa de Moda Sponsor

Written by Sarah Poss on September 9, 2025. Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement.

First Freedom Bank was proud to once again sponsor a table at the annual Casa de Moda fashion show this past Thursday. Each year the show is complimented by a theme and the table sponsors choose how to incorporate it into their table designs. This year the theme was “decades,” and we chose to represent the 90’s!

Local boutiques not only participated in the fashion show but also hosted booths in which attendees could shop what they saw on the runway. A portion of the boutique’s sales were donated to Wilson County CASA. We were so happy to be there and show our support!

In attendance to represent the bank was Kaitlin Wattenbarger, Providence Personal Banker, Ashley Montgomery, Vice President and Mt. Juliet Office Manager, Olivia, Shelia Ferrell, Senior Vice President and Managerial Lender, Sarah Poss, First Vice President and Director of Retail Banking, Blake Smith, Accounting Clerk, Maliea Oakley, Senior Vice President and HR Director, Tatum Ortlepp, Assistant Vice President and Retail Banking Sales Manager, and Christy Trammel, Administrative Assistant.

To learn more about our community involvement and stay connected with upcoming events, please follow us on social media using the icons below.

First Freedom at Sundae Bar with Cedar Seniors

First Freedom Bank Celebrates with Cedar Seniors

Written by Sarah Poss on August 26, 2025. Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement.

We love celebrating our seniors here at First Freedom Bank and we had such a wonderful time hosting an ice cream event at Cedar Seniors in Lebanon in honor of National Senior Citizens Day. It was a great turn out and we loved seeing such happy faces. We are thankful to Cedar Seniors for letting us visit and bring some sweet treats to commemorate the day with them!

Pictured left to right is Blake Smith, Accounting Clerk, Ken Nelson Sr., and Tatum Ortlepp, AVP & Retail Banking Sales Manager.

First Freedom Bank values the opportunity to contribute to meaningful initiatives that serve our communities. Check out what else we’ve been up by clicking Community News, or read what others have to say about us by clicking Customer Testimonials.

Community Involvement

Customer Testimonials

First Freedom at the 2025 FFA Ham Breakfast

First Freedom Supports Tennessee FFA

Written by Sarah Poss on August 22, 2025. Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement.

The 10^th Annual FFA Ham breakfast was held on Monday, the18th at the Wilson County Expo Center. First Freedom was happy to sponsor a table and support the event. The proceeds from the breakfast went to the Tennessee FFA Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports FFA students in middle and high schools. This year, the country style ham sold for an impressive $35,000!

First Freedom Bank was not only proud to be a sponsor but to also be in attendance for breakfast this year. We have been a long-time supporter of FFA and understand the important role it has in students’ agricultural and leadership development.

Pictured from L-R: J.B Owens, EVP and Director of Commercial Banking, Ryan Woodall, VP & Relationship Manager, Shelia Ferrell, SVP and Managerial Lender, John Lancaster, Chairman & CEO, Maliea Oakley, SVP & Director of HR, and Sarah Poss, First VP & Director of Retail Banking.

Our bank had its start in Wilson County in 2006 and our headquarters remains in Lebanon to this day. We truly enjoy any chance to be out in the community and support our neighbors. If you would like to experience the difference of a local bank that is committed the legacy of our communities, we’d welcome the opportunity to serve you. Click the buttons below to learn about the personal and business checking accounts we offer.

Personal Checking

Business Checking

Montgomery Graduates Southeastern School of Banking

Written by Sarah Poss on August 7, 2025. Posted in Bank News, Press Releases.

This past month, First Freedom Bank’s Ashley Montgomery graduated from the Southeastern School of Banking. This prestigious two-year program is held at Belmont University where it focuses on critical baking functions, developing analytical skills, and honing management techniques. Ashley, who is our Mount Juliet office manager and Vice President, helped lead her team to first place in the school’s bank simulation assignment.

We are very proud of Ashley and her accomplishments inside and outside the bank. She is such a valuable part of what we do here at First Freedom and exemplifies leadership in her work with the bank and in the community.

Ashley Montgomery has been working in our Mt. Juliet market since 2015, and is a familiar face in the community. To learn more about the Mt. Juliet Office or to read about our involvement in the area, click the buttons below.

Mt. Juliet Office

Mt. Juliet Involvement

First Freedom Bank Joins Back-to-School Kickoff at Sycamore Elementary

Written by Sarah Poss on August 4, 2025. Posted in Community Involvement.

On Tuesday, July 29th, Sycamore Elementary School held their annual Back-to-School Kickoff. This event is open to local businesses in the community to set up tables and hand out gifts and goodies to all the new and returning students and their families. First Freedom Bank was happy to support Sycamore by hosting a table and handing out gift bags. We wish the school and students best of luck this year!

First Freedom has been a proud adopter of Sycamore Elementary School since 2016.

Pictured L-R: Abby McCann, Cookeville Personal Banker, & Rachel Honaker, VP & Putnam Co Market Manager

Since becoming an adopter, we have had the privilege of being a part of Sycamore Elementary’s back to school events. Being an active supporter of local organizations and serving our communities is part of our mission. To learn more about our past community involvement in the Putnam County market or to read more about our Cookeville office, click the buttons below.

Putnam County Involvement

Cookeville Office

First Freedom Promotes Thompson

Written by Sarah Poss on July 30, 2025. Posted in Bank News, Press Releases.

Christy Thompson, CRCM, has been promoted to First Vice President, announces John Bradshaw, President / COO & CLO. With this promotion, Christy will continue to serve as Chief Compliance & BSA Officer.

“Christy is beyond deserving of this promotion,” said Bradshaw. “She is a pivotal part of our team thanks to her indomitable work ethic and keen discernment and insight. We could not ask for any better leadership in these departments.”

As a legacy employee who was part of the original team that launched First Freedom, Christy’s contributions have spanned multiple departments and have had wide range of positive impacts. While she will be celebrating her 20th year with our bank this coming December, her banking career spans four decades.

Christy’s hands-on bank experience is complimented by her continued education. She earned her General Banking Diploma from the American Bankers Association (ABA), she is a graduate of the Southeastern School of Banking from the Tennessee Bankers Association (TBA) and earned the prestigious Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager designation (CRCM) from the ABA. Christy is also a member of the TBA’s Chief Compliance Officer and BSA Officer Forum.

Christy has been recognized with First Freedom’s Commitment to Excellence Award, a testament to her dedication and pride in her work. Continuously active in her hometown of Lebanon, Christy is a graduate of Leadership Wilson, has volunteered with Junior Achievement and is a lifetime member of Immanual Baptist Church. She and her husband of 39 years, Mark, reside in Lebanon and have two children and three grandchildren.

We prioritize promoting from within and are always excited to have the chance to recognize a staff member’s hard work and talents. We know that our successes are only possible with a great team, and we are proud to have that. To learn more about our team’s growth and development, click the buttons below.

Staff Recognition

Bank Promotions

First Freedom’s Montgomery Joins MJSAC Board

Written by Sarah Poss on July 24, 2025. Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement.

Ashley Montgomery, Vice President and Mt. Juliet Office Manager, has been appointed to the Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center (MJSAC) board. In her new role, she will serve on the finance committee. Ashley has been an active supporter of the center by hosting financial literacy presentations and volunteering with MJSAC events. We are excited to see her continue her work with the center.

“I’m truly honored to join the board of MJSAC,” said Ashley. “Supporting our seniors is a cause close to my heart and I’m proud to serve an organization that enriches their lives and strengthens our community.”

The Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center is located on North Mt. Juliet Road. They provide a place for adults 55 and older to enjoy recreational, educational, and social activities. The center promotes mental and physical wellness and endeavors to alleviate isolation by being a place for members to meet others in similar stages of life.

At First Freedom, we prioritize being a part of our community and appreciate the opportunity to serve our neighbors. For more information about our initiatives and impact, click the buttons below.

Community Involvement

Customer Testimonials

First Freedom Promotes Bryan Sweet

Written by Sarah Poss on June 3, 2025. Posted in Bank News, New Hires/Promotions.

Bryan Sweet has been promoted to Algood Assistant Manager and Bank Officer, announces Sarah Poss, Director of Retail Banking for First Freedom Bank. Bryan previously served as Personal Banker at the Cookeville Office.

“We are thankful to have a banker like Bryan as part of our team,” says Poss. “He has a wealth of knowledge built on an extensive career in banking, and he truly cares for his customers and his community. Our Algood Office is gaining an invaluable colleague.”

Sweet joined the First Freedom team in 2016 and has twenty years of experience in the banking industry. Prior to his role as a Personal Banker, Bryan served our Cookeville office as Financial Services Representative Manager and branch auditor for the Middle Tennessee locations.

Sweet’s dedication to volunteering and community involvement are reflective of First Freedom’s civic goals and make him a perfect fit to help lead the Algood Office. For over a decade, Sweet has been involved with a local rescue organization called A.A.R.F (All About Rescuing and Fixing), which fosters unwanted pets, gets them spayed or neutered, and finds them forever homes. He and his family have fostered well over 150 dogs since joining A.A.R.F. Sweet also volunteers at the local Cookeville Children’s Theater, helping behind the scenes with set builds and deconstruction. As for hobbies, he enjoys bowling and is part of the Tuesday Night Sportsman’s League, where he also serves as their secretary and treasurer.

Sweet currently resides in Cookeville with his wife and two children.

First Freedom joined the Algood community in 2016 with the acquisition of our Upper Cumberland locations. To learn more about the Algood Office or to read about our involvement in Putnam County, click the buttons below.

Algood Office

Putnam County News

First Freedom Donates to Jackson County Project Graduation

Written by Sarah Poss on May 9, 2025. Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement, Sponsorships/Community.

First Freedom Bank is proud to once again support the Jackson County High School’s Project Graduation, which aims to keep graduation night fun and safe! Jackson County is doing their part to help celebrate the students and families of this year’s graduating class by providing a fun and safe environment to commemorate this milestone achievement.

The event will take place right after the graduation ceremony on May 16th and the school expects a great student turnout!

Accepting the donation, left, is Belle Beaty, with Shelby Meadows, Senior FSR & UC Training Coordinator, and Anna Jean Ellis, FSR.

First Freedom Bank has been a part of the Jackson County community since the acquisition of our Upper Cumberland Offices in 2016. Since that time, we have made it a top priority to be engaged in and to support local organizations. To learn more about our Gainesboro Office or read more about our involvement in the Jackson County community, click the buttons below.

Gainesboro Office

Jackson County Support

Sycamore Elementary children gather and hold signs for a picture

First Freedom Supports Sycamore Elementary Choir

Written by Sarah Poss on May 2, 2025. Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement, Sponsorships/Community.

First Freedom Bank was proud to support the Sycamore Elementary School Choir through a sponsorship for a recent field trip that combined service, music, and community connection. The students visited Cedar Hills Senior Living, where they performed for the residents, sharing the joy of music across generations.

After their performance, the students enjoyed lunch and time outdoors at Dogwood Park, making the day both meaningful and fun.

We were overjoyed to receive a heartfelt thank you from the choir, who held up signs that read, “Thank you First Freedom Bank!” Additionally, pictured below, Rachel Honaker, Putnam County Market Manager, presents our sponsorship to Allyson Evans, School Counselor at Sycamore Elementary School.

Our support for initiatives like this demonstrates our dedication to the communities we serve and the students whose compassion inspires us every day. To learn more about how we connect with our communities or to find more about our Cookeville Office, please click the buttons below!

Community Involvement

Cookeville Office