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Tag: First Freedom Bank

First Freedom Plants Seeds of Support at CSAC

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

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.

Community News
About Us

First Freedom Serves Lunch at LSCC

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

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.

Community News
Customer Testimonials

First Freedom Supports Lebanon Senior Citizens Center Valentine’s Gala

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

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!

About Us
Bank News

First Freedom Recognizes Employees with All Stars Awards

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

At First Freedom Bank we like to recognize employees for their outstanding job performance. These employees went above and beyond for our customers and exceeded the goals for the bank. We want to congratulate and thank those staff members for their distinguished performances!

Pictured above is our Middle Tennessee All Stars recipients from left to right: Trey Watkins, Providence Personal Banker, John Lancaster, Chairman & CEO, John Bradshaw, President/COO & CLO, Holly Wolfe, Lebanon Senior Personal Banker, Meagan Brown, Lebanon Senior Personal Banker, Sarah Poss, First Vice President & Director of Retail Banking, Kaye Fajardo, Providence FSR Manager & Personal Banker, Brooke Weldy, Assistant Vice President & Mt. Juliet Office Manager, Kaitlin Wattenbarger, Providence Personal Banker, Sydney Hughes, Jacob Shiarla, Mt. Juliet Senior Personal Banker, Tatum Ortlepp, Assistant Vice President & Retail Banking Sales Manager, Chrissy Wright, Lebanon FSR Manager & MT Training Coordinator

Pictured below is our Upper Cumberland All Star recipients from left to right: Meleah Payne, Cookeville FSR II, Abby McCann, Cookeville Assistant Office Manager, John Bradshaw, President/COO & CLO,  Sara Beth Kinnaird, Gainesboro Senior Personal Banker, Gracie Rhoten, Gainesboro FSR II, Hannah Philpot, Algood Assistant Office Manager, Ashley Tippet, Gainesboro Assistant Office Manager, Bryan Sweet, Accounting Officer, Sarah Poss, First Vice President & Director of Retail Banking, Rebecca Birman, Gainesboro FSR Manager, John Lancaster, Chairman & CEO, Tatum Ortlepp, Assistant Vice President & Retail Banking Sales Manager

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
Staff Recognition

First Freedom a Putnam County Chamber Event Sponsor

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

First Freedom was a table sponsor at the annual Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber Annual Meeting. This event showcased the impactful work of the chamber over the past year. The keynote speaker was Alfonzo Alexander, President & CEO of Alexander Success Group. The Chamber also honored the 2026 Member Awards.

L-R : Meleah Payne, FSR II Cookeville, Nathan Apgar, FSR Manager Cookeville, Abby McCann, Cookeville Assistant Office Manager, Rachel Honaker, Vice President and Putnam County Market Manager,  Hannah Philpot, Algood Assistant Office Manager, Tatum Ortlepp, Assistant Vice President and Retail Banking Sales Manager, Gracie Rhoten, FSR II Gainesboro, and Ashley Tippit, Gainesboro Assistant Office Manager

First Freedom Bank believes in the power of community and collaboration. Being an active supporter of local organizations and serving our communities is part of our mission. To learn more about our past community involvement in the Putnam County market, click the buttons below.

Algood Office
Cookeville Office
Mt Juliet Annual Chamber Celebration

First Freedom Supports Mt. Juliet Chamber Celebration

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

The Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce held their annual Chamber Celebration at the Hilton Garden & Inn & Tru this past Friday, January 30th. The theme of the event this year was Olympics, and the event helped to recognize some of the individuals and businesses who go above and beyond in the community. First Freedom was happy to support such a wonderful event.

Pictured from Left to Right: Trey Watkins, Personal Banker, Providence office, Sarah Poss, Director of Retail Banking & First Vice President, Kaye Fajardo, FSR Manager & Personal Banker, Providence office, Tatum Ortlepp, Assistant Vice President & Retail Banking Sales Manager, Denise Bingham, Providence Office Manager & Vice President, and Kaitlin Wattenbarger, Senior Personal Banker, Providence office.

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, and in every market we serve we prioritize support the local chamber. To learn more about our presence in the Mt. Juliet community, click the buttons below.

Mt. Juliet Office
Providence Office

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 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