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First Freedom Sponsors Let Freedom Ring Celebration

This past Saturday, the City of Algood hosted their annual Let Freedom Ring Celebration at the Algood Ball Fields. The event has become a staple for the city and its celebration of Independence Day. Live music, food trucks and games were available for all attendees. First Freedom volunteered their time to the bounce houses, helping kids move through the line. We were honored to help celebrate and volunteer!

Pictured Above from L to R: Rebecca VanderJagt, Assistant Vice President, Cookeville Office Manager, Hannah Philpot, Algood Assistant Office Manager


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

First Freedom Field Trip Sponsor for Sycamore Elementary

Sycamore Elementary School Choir recently went on a field trip to the Cedar Hills retirement center, and we were glad for the opportunity to sponsor again this year. The sponsorship covered meals and supplies for the children. The choir performed songs for the residents and enjoyed time outdoors.

Pictured above, left to right: Christy Smith, Sycamore Elementary Accounting Assistant, and Abby McCann, Cookeville Assistant Office Manager


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!

First Freedom a Sponsor for Student Athlete Award

First Freedom was a Title Sponsor for this year’s Wilson County Best All-Around Student Athlete Award.  Hosted by the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce, this event recognizes a male and female student athlete from each Wilson County High School, then one female and one male student athlete is selected of that group to be the recipient of a $1,500 scholarship. The winners this year were Miles Fitzpatrick from Friendship Christian School and Meredith Eller from Wilson Central High School. This year’s guest speaker was Jesse Perry, Tennessee Volunteer offensive lineman.

Pictured above from L to R: Ryan Woodall, Vice President and Relationship Manager, Maliea Oakley, Senior Vice President and Director of Human Resources, Tatum Ortlepp, Assistant Vice President and Retail Banking Sales Manager, Shelia Ferrell, Senior Vice President and Managerial Lender, Jesse Perry, Tennessee Volunteers Offensive Lineman, Phillip Vance, First Vice President and Relationship Manager, J.B. Owens, Executive Vice President and Director of Commercial Banking, and John Lancaster, Chairman and CEO.


To learn more about our recent involvement in the community, click the buttons below!

First Freedom Promotes Kovalchik

Cookeville, TN – Kaitlyn Kovalchik has been promoted to Assistant Vice President and Controller, announces John Lancaster, Chairman and CEO. Kaitlyn joined First Freedom in 2018 as a part-time Financial Services Representative while attending Tennessee Tech. Following her graduation, she moved to full-time status and in 2022 she transferred to the accounting department. “I’m very pleased to recognize Kaitlyn with this well-deserved promotion,” stated Lancaster. “She does an excellent job and plays a critical and significant role in our company.” Kovalchik earned a BS in Business Administration with a major in Accounting from Tennessee Tech University. She graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA and was the recipient of the W.A. Howard Award for excellence in accounting. While attending TTU, Kovalchik worked in the College of Business Student Success Center. A native of Gainesboro, Tennessee, Kovalchik currently resides in Cookeville with her husband Joshua and their dog Daisy.


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

First Freedom Sponsors Wilson Books from Birth Fundraiser

First Freedom was a table sponsor at the annual Wilson Books from Birth Imagination Dinner, held this past week at the Farm Bureau Expo Center. Funds raised during the Imagination Dinner go toward the Books from Birth program, which provides books at no cost to children across the county. Each table chooses a theme based on a children’s book. Our theme this year was based on Full Moon Pups. We were delighted to be awarded “Most Whimsical,” which marks the third year in a row that we have received an award for our tablescape. This was a night of fun and celebration, and we are always happy to be part of it!

Pictured above from Left – Right: Trey Watkins, Senior Personal Banker and Marketing Specialist, Shelia Ferrell, Senior Vice President and Managerial Lender, Kayla Ring, Vice President and Construction Manager, Sarah Poss, First Vice President and Director of Retail Banking, Tatum Ortlepp, Assistant Vice President and Retail Banking Sales Manager, Blake Smith, Accounting Clerk, Brooke Weldy, Assistant Vice President and Mt. Juliet Office Manager.


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

First Freedom Hosts Fraud Bingo with Cedar Seniors

In honor of April being recognized as National Financial Literacy Month, First Freedom hosted a Fraud Bingo Day at Cedar Seniors this past week. Fraud Bingo educates players on the different types of financial fraud to better prepare them for real-life scenarios. For more financial educational programs from the American Bankers Association, click here!

Cedar Seniors, Inc. is located in Lebanon and provides community meals and activities for local senior citizens.

Pictured above, from left to right, is Blake Smith, Accounting Clerk, Tatum Ortlepp, AVP and Retail Sales Manager, and Ken Nelson Sr., President of Cedar Seniors. Pictured below are Fraud Bingo winners.


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 community blogs, click the links below.

First Freedom Raises Funds for United Way

Each year First Freedom organizes an employee campaign to raise funds for the United Way of Wilson County and Upper Cumberland. This year we raised $7,000! These proceeds will be given to different non-profits across Middle Tennessee and the Upper Cumberland. We want to thank our employees and the leadership of Ryan Woodall, MBA, VP & Relationship Manager and Chairman of the Board for United Way. We are always appreciative to support an organization that yields so many positive changes to our communities.

Pictured above is First Freedom staff presenting the donation to United Way.


We’re proud to be a part of this community and to have the opportunity to serve our neighbors and friends. To learn more about our community involvement and how we’re working to make a difference, click the buttons below.

First Freedom Plants Seeds of Support at CSAC

As part of our 20-year anniversary initiative to give back to our local communities, several of our staff volunteered to plant the Cookeville Senior Activity Center garden beds. Staff hand tilled four raised garden beds, sowed seeds, and planted herbs. It’s rewarding to have the opportunity to give back to a wonderful organization like this, but it’s extra enjoyable when we can do so in the sun on a beautiful day!

The Cookeville Senior Activity Center has been a staple in the Cookeville community. Their mission to open opportunities and provide activities and services for the senior population of Cookeville and surrounding areas is not unnoticed. We are pleased to have this continuous relationship with them.

Pictured above from L-R: Hannah Philpot, Algood Assistant Office Manager, Taylor Chandley, Cookeville FSR, Tatum Ortlepp, Assistant Vice President and Retail Banking Sales Manager

Pictured below: Hannah and Taylor planting veggies and herbs.


We’re proud to be a part of this community and to have the opportunity to serve our neighbors and friends. To learn more about our community involvement and how we’re working to make a difference, click the buttons below.

First Freedom Serves Lunch at LSCC

This week we volunteered to serve lunch at the Lebanon Senior Citizens Center, which serves Monday through Friday for both curbside and sit down. As we celebrate our 20-year anniversary, we continue to be committed to giving back to the community that has helped us along the way. Keep a lookout to see how we give back to the community next!

The Lebanon Senior Citizens Center was founded in 2001, and as been a vital resource for connection and support to its members. First Freedom has been a long-time supporter of the Center as the monthly birthday sponsor.  We are thankful for all the fun times we have had the opportunity to continue be involved with them.

Pictured Left-Right: Shelia Ferrell, Senior Vice President, Blake Smith, Accounting Clerk, Tatum Ortlepp, Assistant Vice President and Retail Banking Sales Manager, and Helen Green, Administrative Assistant


For two decades First Freedom Bank has valued 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.

First Freedom Supports Lebanon Senior Citizens Center Valentine’s Gala

The Lebanon Senior Citizens Center is a non-profit community center for the aging population of Wilson County and surrounding communities. Every year they host their Valentine’s Gala, held at The Mill in Lebanon. It is their biggest fundraiser of the year, and they hold a live auction during the dinner, as well as a silent auction throughout the event. This is the center’s 47th year of service. All funds raised at this event help the senior center maintain affordable daily meals for senior citizens and support the wide variety of educational and entertaining programs and activities offered each day. We were happy to be in participation, and to support this amazing event!

Picture above at the First Freedom table is Denise Bingham, Assistant Vice President & Providence Office Manager, with her husband Todd Bingham, and guests.


To learn more about our recent involvement in the community, click the buttons below!