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Tag: Putnam County

Putnam County includes First Freedom Bank’s Cookeville Office

Sycamore Back to School Kickoff

First Freedom Bank Joins Back-to-School Kickoff at Sycamore Elementary

Written by Sarah Poss on . Posted in Community Involvement.

On Tuesday, July 29th, Sycamore Elementary School held their annual Back-to-School Kickoff. This event is open to local businesses in the community to set up tables and hand out gifts and goodies to all the new and returning students and their families. First Freedom Bank was happy to support Sycamore by hosting a table and handing out gift bags. We wish the school and students best of luck this year!

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

Pictured L-R: Abby McCann, Cookeville Personal Banker, & Rachel Honaker, VP & Putnam Co Market Manager

Since becoming an adopter, we have had the privilege of being a part of Sycamore Elementary’s back to school events. 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 or to read more about our Cookeville office, click the buttons below.

Putnam County Involvement
Cookeville Office
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
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 Supports Cookeville-Putnam Co Annual Meeting

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

First Freedom Bank was proud to support and attend the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber‘s Annual Meeting held at the Leslie Town Center on February 11th. This event provided a valuable opportunity to network and learn more about the positive impact the Chamber has on our local economy. This year, the keynote speaker was Bobby Wilder, Tennessee Tech Head Football Coach. We value our partnership with the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber and are proud to support their efforts to foster growth and prosperity in our region.

Pictured in attendance are Meleah Payne, Cookeville FSR, Rachel Honaker, VP & Putnam County Market Manager, Sarah Poss, First VP & Director of Retail Banking, Donna Elrod, VP and Gainesboro Office Manager, Bryan Sweet, Cookeville Personal Banker, Ashley Tippit, Gainesboro Assistant Office Manager, and Kelly Emory, Cookeville Assistant Office Manager.

First Freedom Bank believes in the power of community and collaboration. We are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a vibrant and thriving business environment. To learn more about how we can support you and your business, please interact with the buttons below!

Business Loans
Business Conveniences

First Freedom Supports Cookeville-Putnam Co Chamber Event

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

First Freedom Bank proudly sponsored the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce Christmas Business After Hours event. The bank has participated in this event for several years and values the opportunity to support it each year. Our staff enjoys the chance to connect and network with other local professionals and businesses.

Pictured above from left to right are Meleah Payne, Cookeville FSR, Rachel Honaker, Putnam County Market Manager, Kaitlyn Kovalchik, Accounting Officer, and Bryan Sweet, Cookeville Personal Banker.

To learn more about our Cookeville office and how we can assist you in achieving your financial goals, please interact with the buttons below!

Cookeville Office
Personal Conveniences

Brew with the Blue at Vol State

First Freedom Joins Brew with the Blue at Vol State

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

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.

Algood Office
Cookeville Office

Ragland delivers breakfast to Algood Middle School

First Freedom Delivers Breakfast to Algood Middle School

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

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.

Algood Office
Cookeville Office
Teola Ragland

First Freedom Promotes Ragland

Written by Sarah Poss on . Posted in Bank News, Press Releases.

Teola Ragland has been promoted to Assistant Office Manager at the Algood Office, announced John Lancaster, Chairman and CEO. Ragland’s prior role was Financial Services Manager (FSR) and Personal Banker.  

“I’m very pleased to see Teola move into this Assistant Manager role,” said Lancaster, “She is very knowledgeable, community minded, and takes pride in providing top-shelf customer service!”  

Ragland has been with First Freedom Bank for eight years, having joined the bank in 2016 as a Personal Banker / FSR at the Gainesboro office. In 2022, she relocated to the Algood office where she undertook the role of FSR Manager and Personal Banker. Before joining the bank, Ragland worked for two years in the tax industry.

Community involvement has been an important facet of Ragland’s career. She is a member of the Young Professional Highland and is involved in Mom Co., a non-profit organization that supports mothers of young children to reach their potential as mothers, women, and leaders through partnerships with local churches. Ragland is also an active volunteer with Life Church, where she participates as part of their Dream Team at the Baxter Campus.  The Dream Team manages the logistics and organization of the church services and extracurriculars.

Ragland currently resides in her hometown of Baxter with her two children.

First Freedom joined the Putnam County community in 2016, where we continue our legacy as an independent, community-focused, full service bank. Learn more about our two Putnam County offices by clicking the buttons below.

Algood Office
Cookeville Office
First Freedom Recognizes FSRs with Chairman's Cup Award

First Freedom Recognizes Employees with Chairman’s Cup Award

Written by Sarah Poss on . Posted in Bank News, Press Releases.

First Freedom recognized several Financial Services Representatives (FSR) this past quarter for exceptional job performance and for exceeding their individual goals for enhancing and broadening customer relationships. Their outstanding performance earned them the prestigious honor of Chairman’s Cup Member for the quarter.

Congratulations to the following staff for qualifying for Chairman’s Cup:

Abby McCann, Cookeville FSR Manager

Alexia Borrero, Lebanon FSR

Blake Smith, prior Lebanon FSR Manager, now Accounting Clerk

Chrissy Wright, Lebanon FSR Manager

Jessica Boyd, Cookeville FSR

Kaye Fajardo, Providence FSR

Miah Lamb, Providence FSR Manager & Personal Banker

Rebecca Birman, Gainesboro FSR Manager

Shelby Meadows, Gainesboro FSR

Teola Ragland, prior Algood FSR Manager & Personal Banker, now Algood Assistant Manager

Abby McCann received additional recognition as the Chairman’s Cup Top Performer for achieving the highest overall performance score among all participants.

Pictured back row and left to right is Kenny Beavers, Retail Executive, Miah, Shelby, Rebecca, and John Lancaster, Chairman & CEO. Pictured front row and left to right is Sarah Poss, Vice President & Director of Retail Banking, Kaye, Alexia, and Tatum Ortlepp, Retail Banking Sales Manager.

At First Freedom Bank, we look for opportunities to recognize and reward team members for exceptional performance, as we know that they are critical to our success as a bank. We have great people at all of our offices and in all of our markets. If you would like to learn more about these locations, or even just about us as a bank, click the buttons below.

Office Locations
About Us
Sycamore Back to School Bash

First Freedom Welcomes Sycamore Students Back to School

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

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.

Cookeville Office
Personal Checking Accounts