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Ashley Montgomery standing with MJPD Officers at the training

First Freedom Partners with Mt. Juliet Police Department

Written by Miah Lamb on . Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement, Sponsorships/Community.

First Freedom Bank is proud to uphold its commitment to financial education through our partnership with the Mt. Juliet Police Department. This initiative has provided officers with essential financial literacy training and ongoing support to enhance their financial well-being.

As part of this collaboration, First Freedom Bank facilitated the department’s annual in-service training for officers, covering key financial literacy topics such as budgeting, saving, and credit management. This training equipped officers with the necessary knowledge to make informed financial decisions, build long-term stability, and plan for the future.

In addition to the annual training, First Freedom now conducts monthly financial literacy sessions at the police department. These sessions provide officers with direct access to financial guidance, allowing them to ask questions and receive personalized support as needed. Whether seeking advice on budgeting, credit improvement, or long-term financial planning, officers have a dedicated resource available to assist them.

Pictured at the annual training are Records Clerk Monica West, Lt. Josh Workman, Ashley Montgomery, VP & Mt. Juliet Office Manager, Sgt. Scott Fulton, and Cpl. Kyle Holtmeyer.

First Freedom Bank is dedicated to promoting financial literacy throughout our communities and strives to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools needed for long-term financial wellness. To learn more about how we can support you in reaching your financial goals, please interact with the buttons below!

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Jennifer Mancuso and Miah Lamb posing with Betty Morgan.

First Freedom Volunteers at Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center

Written by Miah Lamb on . Posted in Bank News, Sponsorships/Community.

On February 28th, First Freedom Bank employees volunteered at the Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center (MJSAC), where they served root beer floats to attendees. This event provided a great opportunity to engage with the community and express our gratitude for local seniors.

First Freedom Bank is dedicated to supporting the communities it serves and is appreciative of the Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center for hosting this lively event. The team members had a great time connecting with everyone who came by to enjoy a float!

Pictured above are Jennifer Mancuso, Mt. Juliet Personal Banker, and Miah Lamb, Providence Personal Banker, alongside MJSAC member Betty Morgan. Additionally, Miah is depicted below serving root beer floats at the event.

Miah Lamb serving root beer floats to MJSAC Members

We are proud to engage with our community and appreciate the opportunity to serve our neighbors. For more information about our initiatives and impact, please interact with the buttons below!

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First Freedom Sponsors Valentine Gala

Written by Miah Lamb on . Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement, Sponsorships/Community.

First Freedom Bank was honored to sponsor and attend the Lebanon Senior Citizen Center’s annual Valentine Gala, a formal dinner and dance held at The Mill at Lebanon on February 15th. This event serves as one of the center’s largest fundraisers, and we are glad to offer our support.

First Freedom associates, including Holly Wolfe, Lebanon Senior Personal Banker, and Brooke Weldy, Lebanon Personal Banker, are pictured at the event alongside other Gala attendees.

To learn more about our recent involvement in the community, please interact with the button below!

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First Freedom Supports Cookeville-Putnam Co Annual Meeting

Written by Miah Lamb on . Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement, Sponsorships/Community.

First Freedom Bank was proud to support and attend the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber‘s Annual Meeting held at the Leslie Town Center on February 11th. This event provided a valuable opportunity to network and learn more about the positive impact the Chamber has on our local economy. This year, the keynote speaker was Bobby Wilder, Tennessee Tech Head Football Coach. We value our partnership with the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber and are proud to support their efforts to foster growth and prosperity in our region.

Pictured in attendance are Meleah Payne, Cookeville FSR, Rachel Honaker, VP & Putnam County Market Manager, Sarah Poss, First VP & Director of Retail Banking, Donna Elrod, VP and Gainesboro Office Manager, Bryan Sweet, Cookeville Personal Banker, Ashley Tippit, Gainesboro Assistant Office Manager, and Kelly Emory, Cookeville Assistant Office Manager.

First Freedom Bank believes in the power of community and collaboration. We are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a vibrant and thriving business environment. To learn more about how we can support you and your business, please interact with the buttons below!

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First Freedom Supports Annual Mt. Juliet Chamber Celebration

Written by Miah Lamb on . Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement, Sponsorships/Community.

First Freedom Bank was proud to once again support the Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce at their annual celebration. Held at the Hilton Garden Inn & Tru on January 31st, this celebration recognizes individuals who have made a significant impact in the business community over the past year.

Pictured in attendance from left to right is Kaitlin Wattenbarger, Providence Personal Banker, Jennifer Mancuso, Mt. Juliet Personal Banker, Miah Lamb, Providence Personal Banker, Denise Bingham, VP & Providence Office Manager, Sarah Poss, First VP & Director of Retail Banking, and Ashley Montgomery, VP and Mt. Juliet Office Manager.

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

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First Freedom Recognizes Employees with Chairman’s Cup Award

Written by Miah Lamb on . Posted in Bank News.

First Freedom recognized several Financial Services Representatives (FSRs) this past quarter for their exceptional performance in enhancing and expanding customer relationships. Their outstanding achievements allowed them to earn the prestigious recognition of Chairman’s Cup Member for the quarter.

Congratulations to the following Staff for qualifying for Chairman’s Cup:

Sarah Ensey, Mt. Juliet FSR

Kaye Fajardo, Providence FSR Manager

Rebecca Birman, Gainesboro FSR Manager

Shelby Meadows, Gainesboro Senior FSR

Chrissy Wright, Lebanon FSR Manager & Training Coordinator

Alexia Borrero, Lebanon FSR II

Miah Lamb, Providence Personal Banker

Sydney Hughes, Providence FSR

Anna Jean Ellis, Gainesboro FSR II

Rayne Grace, Lebanon FSR

Hannah Philpot, Algood FSR Manager

Abby McCann, Cookeville FSR Manager

Rebecca Birman received additional recognition as the Chairman’s Cup Top Performer for achieving the highest overall performance score among all participants. Additionally, three FSRs attained a perfect operational score for the quarter, demonstrating exemplary quality of work. These outstanding professionals are Miah Lamb, Sydney Hughes, and Rebecca Birman.

Pictured in attendance are John Lancaster, Chairman & CEO, Sarah Ensey, Sarah Poss, First VP & Director of Retail Banking, Rebecca, Kaye, Chrissy, Miah, Alexia, Sydney, Shelby, Anna Jean, and Tatum Ortlepp, Assistant VP & Retail Banking Sales Manager.

First Freedom Announces Staff Promotions

Written by First Freedom Bank on . Posted in Bank News, New Hires/Promotions, Press Releases.

We are excited to announce the following staff promotions at our bank:

Sarah Poss – First Vice President from Vice President

Sarah joined our bank in 2015 as a Financial Service Representative and currently serves as the Director of Retail Banking.  Sarah has a B.S. in Anthropology from Middle Tennessee State University and is also a graduate of The Southeastern School of Banking and the Tennessee Bankers’ Retail Banking Leadership Series.  She is currently enrolled in the MBA program at Tennessee Tech University. 

Phillip Vance – First Vice President from Vice President

Phillip joined our Bank as a Relationship Specialist in 2014 and currently serves as a Relationship Manager. Phillip has a B.S. in Accounting from Tennessee Tech University and is also a graduate of the prestigious Stonier / ABA Graduate School of Banking at University of Pennsylvania. He is a Board Member of the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce, currently serving as Chairman-Elect, and is also a member of the Lebanon Breakfast Rotary Club. He previously served as a Board Member of the United Way of Wilson County.

Ryan Woodall – Vice President from Assistant Vice President

Ryan joined our Bank as a Relationship Manager in 2019 and continues to serve in this role.  Ryan has a B.S. in Political Science from Tennessee Tech University and an MBA from Cumberland University.  He is also a graduate of the Southeastern School of Commercial Lending. Ryan is a Board Member of the Kiwanis Club of Lebanon, currently serving as President-Elect, and is also a Board Member of the United Way of Wilson County.

Ashley Montgomery – Vice President from Assistant Vice President

Ashley joined our bank in 2015 as a Financial Services Representative and currently serves as the Office Manager for our Mt. Juliet Office.   She is an honor graduate of the Southeastern School of Lending, having graduated in the top 10%, and is currently enrolled in the Southeastern School of Banking and the American Bankers Association General Accounting Program.  Ashley is a Board Member of the Mt. Juliet Noon Rotary Club, presently serving as Club Membership Chairman.

Rachel Honaker – Vice President from Assistant Vice President

Rachel joined our bank in 2021 as a Personal Banker and currently serves as the Putnam County Market Manager.  She has a BS in Finance from Tennessee Tech University and is a Graduate of the Tennessee Bankers’ Retail Banking Leadership Series.  Rachel is a Board Member of CASA of the Tennessee Valley and an Advisory Board Member of Tennessee College of Applied Technology.  She is also a Member of the Rock House Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. 

Denise Bingham – Vice President from Assistant Vice President

Denise joined our Bank in 2017 as a Personal Banker and currently serves as the Office Manager for our Providence Office.  Denise has an extensive career in the banking industry. Prior to joining our team, she served as an Officer and Branch manager with a large corporate bank.

Tatum Ortlepp – Assistant Vice President from Bank Officer

Tatum joined our bank in 2018 as a Financial Service Representative and currently serves as the Retail Banking Sales Manager and our Shareholder Services Representative. Tatum has consistently been ranked as a top performer and was voted by her peers as the bank’s Red Carpet Service Award winner in 2021.

Blair Fry – Assistant Vice President from Bank Officer

Blair joined our Bank in 2019 as a Financial Services Representative and currently serves as a Credit Analyst in the Commercial Division.  Blair has a B.S. in Accounting from Middle Tennessee State University.

Conner Bostion – Bank Officer

Conner joined our Bank in 2022 as a Financial Services Representative and currently serves as a Relationship Specialist in the Commercial Division.  With this promotion, Conner will serve as a Relationship Manager.  Conner received his B.S. with a double major in Finance and Economics from Tennessee Tech University.

We prioritize promoting from within and are always excited to have the chance to recognize our staff’s hard work and talents. We know that our successes are only possible with a great team, and we are proud to have that. You’ll find most of the people mentioned here make it a point to be a part of their community, and you can learn more about that by clicking the “Community News” button below. If you’d like to learn more about who we are as bank, click the “About Us” button.

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First Freedom Recognizes Employees for Exceptional Performance & Years of Service

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

Each year we like to recognize employees for their exceptional performance and years of service. Those that receive awards are nominated 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 like to acknowledge those that have been part of our team for five years as a show of appreciation for their work and commitment.

Kaitlyn Kovalchik and Kayla Ring Awards
Kaitlyn Kovalchik & Kayla Ring

Kaitlyn Kovalchik was presented with the Internal Service Award. Kaitlyn has been with us since 2018 and currently serves as an officer in our accounting department. There is no better person to have as part of your team than Kaitlyn. Not only is she exceptionally knowledgeable, but she is quick to help others and does so with a positive and upbeat attitude.

Blake Smith & Blair Fry Years of Service
Blake Smith & Blair Fry

Kayla Ring was presented with the Red Carpet Service Award. Kayla joined our bank in 2013 and currently serves as AVP / Construction Manager. You will never get less than top-notch service with Kayla. She truly wants to build genuine and long-lasting relationships with her customers, and she succeeds at it! Anyone that has the chance to work with Kayla knows quickly that they are in good hands. 

Blair Fry, AVP / Credit Analyst, and Blake Smith, Accounting Clerk, were presented with First Freedom Jackets in recognition of their five-years of service.

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.

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First Freedom Hosts Lunch & Learn with Lochinvar and Apcom

Written by Miah Lamb on . Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement, Sponsorships/Community.

First Freedom hosted lunch and learn programs this month at Lochinvar in Lebanon and Apcom in Cookeville. These sessions reflect our ongoing commitment to providing accessible financial education to the community. During the lunch period at both Lochinvar and Apcom, our staff presented relevant financial information and held a brief Q&A session for employees.

Pictured above from the Lochinvar program, left to right, is Jennifer Mancuso, Mt. Juliet Personal Banker, Tamra Greer, RN, A O Smith Health Engagement Nurse, and Shelia Ferrell, Senior Vice President and Managerial Lender. 

To discover more about us and our recent community involvement, please engage with the interactive buttons below!

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First Freedom Supports Cookeville-Putnam Co Chamber Event

Written by Miah Lamb on . Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement, Sponsorships/Community.

First Freedom Bank proudly sponsored the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce Christmas Business After Hours event. The bank has participated in this event for several years and values the opportunity to support it each year. Our staff enjoys the chance to connect and network with other local professionals and businesses.

Pictured above from left to right are Meleah Payne, Cookeville FSR, Rachel Honaker, Putnam County Market Manager, Kaitlyn Kovalchik, Accounting Officer, and Bryan Sweet, Cookeville Personal Banker.

To learn more about our Cookeville office and how we can assist you in achieving your financial goals, please interact with the buttons below!

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