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Tag: Putnam County

Putnam County includes First Freedom Bank’s Cookeville Office

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 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

First Freedom Sponsors Christmas Business After Hours

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

First Freedom was honored to be a sponsor and to attend the Putnam County Christmas After Hours that the Cookeville – Putnam County Chamber of Commerce holds annually. This was the last Chamber event of the year and closed out 2025 with festive fun and networking opportunities. The dress code was “classy Christmas,” and it was held at the Leslie Town Centre. We were happy we could conclude the year at this phenomenal event put on by the Chamber!

Pictured from L-R: Meleah Payne, Cookeville FSR, Abby McCann, Cookeville Personal Banker, Hannah Philpot, Cookeville Personal Banker, Kaitlyn Kovalchik, Accounting Office, and Tatum Ortlepp,  AVP & Retail Banking Sales 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 Putnam Offices, please click the buttons below!

Cookeville Office
Algood 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