First Freedom Bank’s Office Headquarters in Lebanon
First Freedom was a Gold Sponsor for the annual Valentine’s Celebration and Fundraiser at the Lebanon Senior Citizens Center. This event is one of the largest fundraisers for the center and proceeds help keep the cost of membership and meals at an affordable price.
Pictured from left right is Garrett Ortlepp, Tatum Ortlepp, Lebanon Assistant Office Manager, Larry Wickline, Jo Wickline, Tricia Gray, and Brian Gray.
Tatum Ortlepp has been promoted to Bank Officer and Assistant Office Manager at the Lebanon Office, announced John Lancaster, Chairman and CEO. In her new role, Ortlepp will have oversight for the training and development of employees and the overall service level of the bank’s largest and most active office. She will continue her responsibilities as Shareholder Services Representative.
“Tatum is very deserving of this promotion,” stated Lancaster. “Her knowledge and service level exemplifies the First Freedom culture and her passion for customer success is unsurpassed.”
Ortlepp joined First Freedom in July of 2018 as a Financial Services Representative. She was later promoted to Personal Banker in 2019 and assumed additional responsibilities as Shareholder Services Representative in 2020. A conscientious and dependable banker, Tatum proved herself to be a crucial piece to the office’s success. As such, she was again promoted in 2022 to Senior Personal Banker. In addition to her expanding roles and duties, Ortlepp has also been recognized by her peers with the bank’s Red Carpet Service award in 2021.
A graduate of Wilson Central High School, Ortlepp now resides in the Tuckers Crossroads community of Wilson County with her husband, Garret, and their two children.
Shelia Ferrell has been promoted to Senior Vice President announced John Lancaster, Chairman and CEO. She will continue to serve as the Managerial Lender at the Lebanon Office.
Shelia is a career community banker. Throughout her career, she has worked in virtually all areas of the bank including compliance, technology, internal audit, operations, lending, and management. In 2012, Shelia joined First Freedom as a Vice President in commercial lending. In 2017, she was promoted to First Vice President / Managerial Lender, which gave her elevated responsibilities in the department.
“We are pleased to recognize Shelia with this significant promotion,” said Lancaster. “She is a natural leader within our company and is a recognized and respected member of our management team.”
Ferrell has been recognized by senior management with the Community Champion Award and by her co-workers with the Red-Carpet Service Award. She has been involved in many community leadership roles and currently serves on the board of Wilson County CASA and the Smith County Living Committee. She is a former President of the Smith County Chamber of Commerce.
Ferrell is an honor graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration. She also holds certificates of graduation from the Southeastern School of Sales Leadership, the Southeastern School of Banking, the Southeastern School of Commercial Lending and the Georgia Bankers Association Bank Audit and Operations School. Originally from Defeated, Ferrell now resides in the New Middleton community of Smith County with her husband, Chris. They are members of Cornwell’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. They are big UT fans and enjoy hiking and traveling.
