Skip to main content
FDIC FDIC-Insured - Backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government

Author: Trey Watkins

First Freedom Promotes Ring & Weldy

Written by Trey Watkins on . Posted in Bank News, New Hires/Promotions, Press Releases.

Kayla Ring has been promoted to Vice President. Kayla previously served as an Assistant
Vice President. She will continue to serve as Construction Manager for the bank,
overseeing the bank’s residential construction lending program.

“I am delighted to see Kayla continue to grow within our company. She is a top-tier member
of our team here at First Freedom and it shows in her job performance on a daily-basis.
Kayla’s dedication to her clients and to our bank is second to none. In every position she
has held at the bank over the years she has excelled,” stated J.B. Owens, Executive Vice
President of First Freedom.

Kayla joined our team in August of 2013 as a FSR at our Lebanon Office. She then moved
into the FSR Manager role, before joining our lending team in 2017

Kayla grew up in Lebanon, and now resides in Bethpage with her
husband Michael, and their son. Kayla and her family attend New
Rivers International Church where she is actively involved. Kayla
volunteers annually for Christmas for All, Imagination Library, and
Wilson County CASA.

Brooke Weldy has been promoted to Assistant Vice President and Mt. Juliet Office
Manager. Brooke previously served as a Personal Banker at our main office in Lebanon.

“Customers are at the heart of our operations, and Brooke exemplifies that in everything
she does,” said Sarah Poss, First Vice President and Director of Retail Banking. “I am proud
to see her grow in her role with our team and have no doubt her passion for helping others
and banking expertise will lead the Mt. Juliet office to further successes.”

Brooke joined our team in April of 2022 as Financial Services
Representative at our Lebanon Office. During her time with us she
moved into a management role as the FSR Manager at the Mt. Juliet
Office, shortly thereafter going back to the Lebanon Office as Personal
Banker. She has shown exceptional technical skills and customer
service in all her career stages, as well as consistently performing as a

Brooke grew up in Lebanon and still resides there with her husband and their 4 children.
They attend Hillcrest Baptist Church, where she has been a life-long member and part of
the choir team.

About Us
Wilson County

First Freedom Recognizes Employees for Exceptional Performance & Years of Service

Written by Trey Watkins on . Posted in Bank News, Press Releases.

Each year we recognize employees for their exceptional performance and years of service. Awards winners are selected by their coworkers and they are models of outstanding service, be it externally to our customers or internally to their fellow team members. We also acknowledge those that have been part of our team for five years as a show of appreciation for their work and commitment.

Holly Wolfe, Senior Personal Banker, Meagan Brown, Senior Personal Banker, and Veronica Acuña, Deposit Operations Clerk were presented with First Freedom Jackets in recognition of their five-years of service.  Thank you for your dedication!

Kaye Fajardo was presented with the Red Carpet Service Award. Kaye started with us in 2023 as an FSR and now is our FSR Manager and Personal Banker for our Providence office. Kaye always has a warm smile for customers and a great attitude to go along with it. She provides next level customer service and is an esteemed co-worker!

Jaylan Clemmons was presented with the Internal Service Award. Jaylan joined our operations team in 2024 and has been a helping hand from the start. Jaylan works diligently to serve his colleagues and always maintains a bright and positive demeanor that delights everyone that works with him.

We are thankful to have a team that exceeds expectations everyday. They are instrumental to our successes in all that we do. To learn more about our bank or to see what are staff are doing in the community, click the buttons below.

About Us
Community News

First Freedom Supports Rehab 23 Christmas Breakfast

Written by Trey Watkins on . Posted in Community Involvement.

Rehab 23 hosted their annual Christmas Breakfast this past week, allowing members of the community to show their support for local emergency responders. Rehab 23 is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to providing support to Wilson County First Responders. This year’s guest speaker was Tyler Smith, a Forensics Analyst for the U.S. Secret Service. First Freedom was happy to co-sponsor and attend this year’s breakfast. Rehab 23 accepts donations through their website or drop off can be arranged with the organization.

Pictured Above from L – R: Meagan Brown, Lebanon Personal Banker, Denise Bingham, VP and Providence Office Manager, Jim Carrol, President of Rehab 23, Tyler Smith, Network Intrusion Forensics Analyst, U.S. Secret Service, and Tatum Ortlepp, AVP and Retail Banking Sales Manager.

To discover more about First Freedom Bank and our involvement in the community, please use the buttons below.

Community Involvement
About Our Bank

      First Freedom Supports Christmas for All

Written by Trey Watkins on . Posted in Bank News.

With Christmas around the corner, First Freedom Bank is proud to show their support for underprivileged children by participating in the Wilson County Christmas for All. This organization provides Christmas toys to children up to 13 years old. Wilson County Christmas for All receives unwavering support from the Wilson County Department of Human Services and the Lebanon Fire Department who continue to make this happen every year since 1993. The program receives generous support from the Lebanon Fire Department Toy Drive, the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots, and many local businesses, churches, and individuals who donate toys or sponsor children by purchasing gifts directly for them! 

Pictured Above from L-R: Blair Fry, AVP and Credit Analyst, Meagan Brown, Personal Banker at Lebanon Office, Tatum Ortlepp, AVP and Retail Banking Sales Manager, Helen Green, Administrative Assistant.

Throughout the year, volunteers purchase and collect toys to prepare for the holiday season. In late October, the toys are moved from storage to a designated warehouse. There, volunteers sort and organize them by category to make shopping for each child’s gifts easier.

Pictured Below L-R: Allie Thomas, FSR at Lebanon Office, Holly Wolfe, Senior Personal Banker at Lebanon Office.

First Freedom Bank values the opportunity to contribute to meaningful initiatives that serve our communities. To learn more about our community involvement, please interact with the buttons below!

Community Involvement
Wilson County

First Freedom Supports FCA Fundraiser

Written by Trey Watkins on . Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement.

First Freedom Bank sponsored a table at the annual Wilson County Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) fundraiser. Formerly an evening banquet, it was converted to a breakfast event this year, with Darryl Strawberry, former New York Met, as the keynote speaker.

In attendance, from left to right, was Sarah Poss, First VP and Director of Retail Banking, John Bradshaw, President / COO & CLO, Helen Green, Administrative Assistant, Li Tisha Jobe, Lebanon FSR II, Tatum Ortlepp, AVP and Retail Banking Sales Manager, Trey Watkins, Providence Personal Banker, and John Hawkins, VP / Specialized Lending and FCA Board Member.

First Freedom Bank’s first office and headquarters opened in Lebanon, Tennessee, in 2006. We are a true community bank: of our more than 1,000 initial investors, more than 98% were from Middle Tennessee. Since then, the bank has expanded to six offices across three counties. We continue to invest in our communities, as evidenced by our regular support of the Wilson County FCA’s annual banquet fundraiser. To learn more about our main office in Lebanon, or to read more about our bank’s beginnings and mission, click the links below.

Lebanon Office
About Our Bank

First Freedom Bank Sponsors MJ Chamber Golf Tournament

Written by Trey Watkins on . Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement.

The Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce held its annual golf tournament at Pine Creek Golf Course, and First Freedom was happy to sponsor a team and host a hospitality tent for the event. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the chamber.

Pictured above, left to right: Ashley Montgomery, Mt. Juliet Office Manager & Vice President, Sarah Poss, First Vice President & Director of Retail Banking, Trey Watkins, Providence Personal Banker

Pictured below left to right: Ian Isbell, Sam Stradley, Philip Vance, First Vice President & Relationship Manager, Ryan Woodall, Vice President & Relationship Manager

First Freedom Bank’s headquarters opened in Middle Tennessee in 2006. We are a true community bank: of our more than 1,000 initial investors, more than 98% were locally sourced. Since then, the bank has expanded to six offices across three counties. To learn more about our presence in the Mt. Juliet community, click the buttons below.

Mt. Juliet Office
Wilson County

First Freedom Joins Gear Up Collegiate Tailgate

Written by Trey Watkins on . Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement.

Gear up collegiate table 2025

Last week First Freedom attended the Gear Up Collegiate Tailgate at Jackson County High School. Local businesses were invited to attend and share information about the respective jobs to Jackson County Highschool Students. First Freedom hosted a tent and answered questions and provided information about the different career paths in the banking industry. First Freedom also donated a financial literacy door prize.  We want to thank JCHS for the invitation and for putting on this great event!

Pictured is Sara Beth Kinnaird, Gainesboro Senior Personal Banker.

Gainesboro Office
Jackson County News

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.

FFB Team at Tent

First Freedom Participates in Chamber Golf Tournament

Written by Trey Watkins on . Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement.

For the 25th year in a row the Lebanon-Wilson County Chamber of Commerce held The Dr. Cary Harbrecht Memorial Golf Tournament at Five Oaks Golf & Country Club in Lebanon. First Freedom was happy to support the annual tournament with a hospitality tent and a hole sponsorship. The proceeds raised for the event go to the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce. Our team had such a great time competing in the tournament!

Pictured above is our team and hospitality tent staff, Phillip Vance, First VP and Relationship Manager, Sarah Ensey, Mt. Juliet Personal Banker, Tatum Ortlepp, AVP and Retail Banking Sales Manager, J.B. Owens, EVP and Director of Commercial Banking, John Bradshaw, President/COO & CLO, and Ryan Woodall, VP and Relationship Manager.

Pictured below is Jaylah Griffin, Lebanon FSR, and Sarah Ensey, also at our hospitality tent.

At First Freedom Bank, we’re committed to building strong relationships and making a positive impact in our community. To learn more about our banking services and how we can help you achieve your financial goals, click the interactive buttons below.

Personal Accounts
Personal Loans