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Ashley Montgomery

First Freedom’s Montgomery Joins MJSAC Board

Written by Sarah Poss on . 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
A headshot of Bryan Sweet, smiling, in a black suit and grey tie.

First Freedom Promotes Bryan Sweet

Written by Sarah Poss on . 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
Pictured L-R is Trace Blankenship with Sarah Poss, TBA scholarship recipient.

First Freedom’s Poss TBA Washington Scholarship Recipient

Written by First Freedom Bank on . Posted in Bank News, Press Releases.

First Freedom’s Sarah Poss, First Vice President and Director of Retail Banking, was the recipient of The Tennessee Banker Association’s 2025 Washington Conference Scholarship.

This scholarship is awarded to a 2024 second-year student of The Southeastern School of Banking through a partnership between The Tennessee Bankers Association Young Bankers Division and the Government Relations Committee. With this scholarship, Sarah was able to attend the TBA’s annual Washington Conference, a three-day visit to D.C. which brings bankers together with bank regulators, national banking associations, and Tennessee’s congressional delegation.

Pictured above is Trace Blankenship, TBA Government Relations and Legal Committee member and partner at Spencer Fane, with Sarah Poss. Pictured below are conference attendees on the last day of congressional visits.

Sarah Poss is a member of our leadership team in her role as retail director. Each member of that team knows the importance of keeping pace with industry changes and supporting organizations like the Tennessee Bankers Association. To learn more about others in leadership, or read more blogs on staff recognition, click the buttons below.

Leadership Team
Staff Recognition
First Freedom Donates to Jackson County Project Graduation

First Freedom Donates to Jackson County Project Graduation

Written by Sarah Poss on . 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 . 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

First Freedom Staff sitting around the tablescape and surrounding decorations

First Freedom Sponsors Wilson Books from Birth Fundraiser

Written by Sarah Poss on . Posted in Bank News.

First Freedom Bank sponsored a table at the 2025 Imagination Dinner, held on April 17th at the Farm Bureau Exposition Center. Hosted by Wilson Books from Birth, the local chapter of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the event is a major fundraiser for this organization and supports their goal of early childhood literacy and helps them to continue to provide free books to children aged five and younger across Wilson County.

The bank’s theme this year was inspired by the children’s book Tea Party Rules and featured a playful tablescape and a tea service for teddy bear and baby doll “guests.” Our table received the “Whimsical Creation” award.

Those in attendance included Maliea Oakley, SVP and Director of Human Resources, Blake Smith, Accounting Clerk, Shelia Ferrell, SVP and Managerial Lender, Helen Green, Lebanon Administrative Assistant, Blair Fry, Assistant VP and Credit Analyst, Kayla Ring, Assistant VP & Construction Manager, and Ashley Montgomery, VP & Mt. Juliet Office Manager.

Bank staff stands side by side with life-sized Dolly Parton figure at the event

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

Rebecca Jennings talking with a student at the event.

First Freedom’s Jennings Speaks at Cumberland University

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

First Freedom’s Rebecca Jennings, CPA, VP and Controller, recently participated in a speaking engagement hosted by the Tennessee Society of CPAs at Cumberland University, where she is also an alumna.

During the session, she spoke with students about her journey into accounting, shared important lessons from her career, and offered guidance on becoming a CPA. She also answered questions and provided practical advice for entering the profession. The engagement encouraged open discussion about career opportunities in accounting and finance.

Rebecca Jennings stands with Cumberland student at the event

First Freedom is proud to see Rebecca sharing her experiences and insights with future professionals. To discover how our team members are making an impact within and beyond the bank, please interact with the buttons below!

Community Engagement
Staff Recognition

Bank Employees hold winning piggy banks while standing with contest winners.

First Freedom Sponsors Jackson County 4-H Contest

Written by Sarah Poss on . Posted in Bank News, Community Contests, Community Involvement.

First Freedom Bank is proud to once again to sponsor the annual Jackson County 4-H Piggy Bank contest. Students that participated in the contest created their own piggy bank and the winners received a cash prize. Each year, the piggy banks are displayed in the lobby of our Gainesboro office.

Pictured above are Sara Beth Kinnaird (Left), Gainesboro Senior Personal Banker, Shelby Meadows (Right), Gainesboro Senior FSR & UC Training Coordinator, alongside contest winners Keira Huff and Evan Perry.

To learn more about the Gainesboro office and our recent involvement in the community, please interact with the buttons below.

Gainesboro Office
Community Involvement

First Freedom staff stands with MJSAC Staff for a photo

First Freedom Promotes Financial Literacy at MJSAC

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

First Freedom Bank recently hosted its annual financial literacy event at the Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center (MJSAC). The event aimed to help seniors better understand essential financial topics including budgeting, fraud prevention, and money management during retirement. Attendees enjoyed a casual lunch and learn program that encouraged questions and open conversations.

Pictured at the event are Jennifer Mancuso, Mt. Juliet Personal Banker, Valissa Saindon, MJSAC Executive Director, Jennifer Pinto, MJSAC Program Coordinator, and Ashley Montgomery, VP & Mt. Juliet Office Manager. Their ongoing partnership plays a significant role in supporting the senior community through education and outreach.

To learn more about how we are celebrating Tennessee Financial Literacy Week, please click the buttons below to follow us on our social media channels!

First freedom bank employees stand holding a large check for United Way

First Freedom Participates in 2025 United Way Campaign

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

First Freedom Bank recently participated in the 2025 United Way of Wilson County and the Upper Cumberland Employee Campaign. As part of this initiative, bank employees raised $7,184, which will be distributed to several nonprofit organizations serving the Middle Tennessee and Upper Cumberland regions.

We appreciate the participation of our employees and the leadership of Ryan Woodall, MBA, VP & Relationship Manager. Ryan also serves as a Vice Chair for the United Way Board of Directors and his efforts helped coordinate our contribution to this campaign.

Pictured above are First Freedom staff with their campaign contribution check.

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
Customer Testimonials