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Tag: Community

First Freedom Joins Brew with the Blue at Vol State

First Freedom’s Teola Ragland volunteered at a Brew with the Blue event on Vol State’s Cookeville campus. Held periodically, this free event offers an opportunity for local law enforcement and students to meet and engage in a positive environment.

Teola currently serves as the Assistant Office Manager at our Algood Office.

Pictured left to right is Putnam County Sgt. Cody Meadows, Vol State Chief Pennington, Teola Ragland, Vol State Sgt. Justin Medlin, and Putnam County Deputy Mike Phillips. 


First Freedom joined the Algood and Cookeville communities in 2016 after the acquisition of the Upper Cumberland locations. From the first day here, we have made it a priority to continue to build and strengthen our ties within the community. Learn more about our two Putnam County offices by clicking the buttons below.

First Freedom a Sponsor for CASA Fundraiser

First Freedom Bank proudly sponsored a table for Wilson County CASA’s annual Casa de Moda event on October 3rd. This festive fundraiser and fashion show was hosted at Tuckers Gap, showcasing apparel from local boutiques. Guests had the opportunity to shop from these boutiques during the event, with a portion of the sales proceeds benefiting CASA. This year’s theme was Wizard of Office and First Freedom’s table was decorated as the Emerald City.

First Freedom’s Shelia Ferrell, Senior Vice President and Managerial Lender, is on the board of Wilson County CASA.

Pictured above (left to right) is Sarah PossVice President and Director of Retail Banking, Tatum Ortlepp, Retail Banking Sales Manager and Bank Officer, Denise Bingham, Assistant Vice President and Providence Office Manager, Sheila Ferrell, Senior Vice President and Managerial Lender, Helen Green, Administrative Assistant, Maliea Oakley, Senior Vice President and Director of Human Resources, Christy Trammel, Administrative Assistant, and Kayla Ring, Assistant Vice President and Construction Manager.


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.

First Freedom Supports Mt. Juliet Chamber Event

First Freedom Bank hosted a hospitality tent and had a team participate in the annual Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce golf tournament, held at Pine Creek Golf Course. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the chamber.

Pictured at the bank’s hospitality tent are, from left to right, Jennifer Mancuso, Mt. Juliet Personal Banker, and Meagan Roberts, Providence Personal Banker.

Staff participating in the bank team are, from left to right, Ryan Woodall, AVP and Relationship Manager, Phillip Vance, VP and Relationship Manager, J.B. Owens, EVP and Director of Commercial Banking, and John Bradshaw, President / COO & CLO.

First Freedom Team Tournament

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.

First Freedom Delivers Breakfast to Algood Middle School

First Freedom’s Teola Ragland, Algood Assistant Manager, delivered breakfast for the staff at Algood Middle School. She is pictured here with the school principal, Mr. Darley.


First Freedom joined the Algood community in 2016 after the acquisition of the Upper Cumberland locations. From the first day here, we have made it a priority to continue to build and strengthen our ties within the community. Learn more about our two Putnam County offices by clicking the buttons below.

First Freedom Supports Chamber Golf Tournament

First Freedom supported the Dr. Cary Harbrecht Memorial Chamber Summer Scramble with a hospitality tent and hole sponsorship. The bank also had a team participate in the scramble.

This is the 24th year that this scramble has been held and proceeds raised during the event go to the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce.

Pictured above at the Freedom tent, from left to right, is Helen Green, Administrative Assistant, Tatum Ortlepp, Retail Banking Sales Manager, Brooke Weldy, Lebanon Personal Banker, and Alexia Borrero, Lebanon FSR.

Pictured below is the bank team which includes, from left to right, Phillip Vance, VP and Relationship Manager, Ryan Woodall, AVP and Relationship Manager, John Bradshaw, President / COO & CLO, and J.B. Owens, EVP and Director of Commercial Banking. 


First Freedom Bank’s first office and headquarters opened in Lebanon, Tennessee, in 2006. We are a true community bank: of our more than1,000 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 support of the Tennessee FFA Foundation at this event. To learn more about our main office in Lebanon, or to read more about our bank’s beginnings and mission, click the links below.

First Freedom & TennCommUNITY Volunteer with Wilson Co. Schools

First Freedom, as a member of TennCommUNITY, had staff volunteer with Wilson County Schools to help pack food boxes for its weekend food program. The weekend food program is an initiative of the school system’s Family Resource Center, which serves as a resource and support hub for students and families.

The bank has been a participant of TennCommUNITY since its inception in 2020, when it was created to stimulate local spending and support small businesses in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the years, the program has evolved to move beyond just post-pandemic support to an ongoing effort to keep local dollars in our community.

Staff are pictured with other TennCommUNITY members and include Jennifer Mancuso, Mt. Juliet Personal Banker, Mary Cate Hedge, Lebanon Personal Banker, Meagan Roberts, Providence Personal Banker, and Sarah Poss, VP and Director of Retail Banking. 


At First Freedom Bank, we’re as committed to the legacy of our communities as you are. We’ve started businesses and raised families, built homes, and made memories – right here. Our hopes and dreams, like yours, are rooted our communities. To learn more about our community involvement or to read more about our bank history, click the buttons below.

First Freedom Shows Support at FFA Event

First Freedom showed its support to the Tennessee FFA Foundation by sponsoring a table at their annual Ham Breakfast. For the past nine years, this fundraiser has auctioned off price-winning hams while attendees enjoy breakfast, with all monies raised going back to the organization.  

This year, the country style ham sold for $25,000 and the Packer Style ham sold for $18,500. As a bonus, keynote speaker Trace Adkins provided a signed cowboy hat that was auctioned off for $2,500.

In attendance to represent First Freedom was, from left to right, John Lancaster, Chairman and CEO, J.B. Owens, EVP and Director of Commercial Banking, Sarah Poss, VP and Director of Retail Banking, Shelia Ferrell, SVP and Managerial Lender, and Phillip Vance, VP and Managerial Lender. In attendance but not pictured was Laura Johnson, SVP and ISO & Deposit Operations Manager.


First Freedom Bank’s first office and headquarters opened in Lebanon, Tennessee, in 2006. We are a true community bank: of our more than1,000 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 support of the Tennessee FFA Foundation at this event. To learn more about our main office in Lebanon, or to read more about our bank’s beginnings and mission, click the links below.

First Freedom Welcomes Sycamore Students Back to School

First Freedom Bank hosted a table at Sycamore Elementary School’s back-to-school bash. This annual event is intended to help transition students into the new school year and to give them an opportunity to meet or reacquaint themselves with teachers and staff. Local businesses are invited to host tables to give out goodies to the kids and their families.

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

Pictured from left to right is Holly Cox, Cookeville FSR, and Rachel Honaker, Putnam County Market Manager.


Becoming a part of the Putnam County community has become a highlight in our bank’s history. We’ve enjoyed getting to know our customers here and building lasting relationship and connections. Being an adopter for Sycamore Elementary School is a great example of the deep commitment we have to the community in this area. For more information on the Cookeville office, or to learn about the personal checking accounts we offer, click the buttons below.

First Freedom Sponsors FCA Golf Tournament

First Freedom was a hole sponsor for the annual Fellowship of Christian Athlete golf tournament, held at the Pine Creek Golf Course in Mt. Juliet. John Hawkins, Vice President — Specialized Lending at First Freedom, serves on the FCA Board.

Pictured is John Hawkins with Tim Bryant, Wilson County FCA Director.

Want to Learn More About Wilson County FCA?

For more information about Wilson County’s local chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, you can click here to visit their website.

Experience the Difference a Community Bank Can Make.

First Freedom Bank is an independent, community focused, full-service bank with offices in Lebanon, Mt. Juliet, Cookeville, Algood, and Gainesboro, Tennessee.

First Freedom Sponsors Event Benefiting WEMA

First Freedom sponsored Leadership Wilson’s Cornhole Tournament. The tournament was a fundraising effort for the Wilson County Emergency Management Agency (WEMA). With the proceeds raised, the 11 WEMA stations throughout the county received a six-month supply of bottled water and a new set of cornhole boards each.

Pictured are the members of the First Freedom team, from left to right, Ryan Woodall, AVP and Relationship Manager, and Phillip Vance, VP and Relationship Manager.