Wilson County Archives - First Freedom Bank

First Freedom staff pose with Tracy Lawrence in front of a brick building. There is a plaque on the building with an image of Lawrence and his name and other illegible text.

First Freedom at Tracy Lawrence Dedication

Written by Sarah Poss on May 12, 2023. Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement.

First Freedom Bank attended the Tracy Lawrence building dedication at the new Charlie’s Place shopping complex located on North Mt. Juliet Road. This is the second building dedication, as all three of the buildings in the complex will be honoring local musicians. The bank is proud to have been a sponsor of this inspirational and ambitious project.

Tracy Lawrence is a country music singer, songwriter, and record producer. While Lawrence was born in Texas and raised in Arkansas, he has lived in Tennessee for more than thirty years and currently calls Wilson County home.

Pictured from left to right is Sarah Poss, Assistant Vice President and BSA Analyst / Marketing, Natalie Stark, Assistant Vice President and Mt. Juliet Office Manager, Tracy Lawrence, Ashley Montgomery, Assistant Vice President and Providence Office Manager, and Judd Sellars, First Freedom Director and owner of Sellars Funeral Home.

First Freedom Participates in Empower Me Center Event

Written by Sarah Poss on May 5, 2023. Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement.

On Thursday, April 27^th, First Freedom Bank’s staff attended the annual Empower Me Center’s Daring to Dream Luncheon.

Empower Me Center is a local non-profit that specializes in transforming the lives of individuals with disabilities. Over the last 25 years, the non-profit has supported over 2,100 individuals with special needs from all over Tennessee through its various activities and programs. Currently, the organization is working on a new state-of-the-art facility in Wilson County that will include a sport complex, multi-living facilities, administrative offices, and more.

Pictured from left to right is, J.B. Owens, Executive Vice President and Director of Commercial Banking, Ryan Woodall, Assistant Vice President and Relationship Manager, Shelia Ferrell, Senior Vice President and Managerial Lender, and Phillip Vance, Vice President and Relationship Manger.

First Freedom Staff Present an oversized check to United Way in front of the bank's Lebanon Office.

First Freedom Donates to United Way

Written by Sarah Poss on May 3, 2023. Posted in Bank News, Sponsorships/Community.

First Freedom Bank has been a long-time supporter of United Way of Wilson County and the Upper Cumberland and has campaigned annually to help raise funds for them. We are proud to announce that this year the bank has raised over $7,500!

United Way partners with over 40 local non-profit programs to help them increase their fundraising efforts. Their mission is to enhance the quality of life in Wilson County and the Upper Cumberland through the combined efforts of individuals and organizations working together. First Freedom’s Ryan Woodall serves on their board of directors.

Pictured is Ryan Woodall, Assistant Vice President and Relationship Manager, and Lebanon Office Staff presenting the donation to John McMillan, president of United Way of Wilson County and the Upper Cumberland.

First Freedom a Sponsor for Charlie’s Place

Written by Sarah Poss on May 1, 2023. Posted in Bank News, Sponsorships/Community.

First Freedom Bank was honored to be a part of the creation of the new Charlie’s Place. Funds from the sponsorship contributed to the building’s mural, which depicts Charlie Daniels within a patriotic motif.

The namesake building is located on North Mt. Juliet Road and will be part of a shopping complex that will include two other buildings. All the building will be dedicated to local musicians.

Pictured, left to right, is Judd Sellars, First Freedom Director and owner of Sellars Funeral Home, Charlie Daniels, Jr., Hazel Daniels, Denise Bingham, Providence Senior Personal Banker, John Lancaster, Chairman and CEO, Natalie Stark, Assistant Vice President and Mt. Juliet Office Manager, and Ashley Montgomery, Assistant Vice President and Providence Office Manager.

Montgomery present check to Allen in front of an American Flag picture.

First Freedom Donates to Tunnel to Towers

Written by Sarah Poss on May 1, 2023. Posted in Bank News, Sponsorships/Community.

First Freedom Bank donated to Tunnel to Towers for their annual fundraising golf tournament. This is their 7^th tournament, and it will be held on May 10^th at Pine Creek Golf Course in Mt. Juliet.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation constructs specially adapted smart homes for injured service members. The concept began as a homage to Stephan Siller, a New York City firefighter who lost his life while rescuing others during the tragic September 11th attack on the World Trade Center.

Buddy Allen Carpet One Floor & Home has partnered with Tunnel to Towers to organize the golf tournament. They also donate all flooring for smart home recipients in the Nashville area.

Pictured from left to right is Jenna Allen, Buddy Allen Carpet One Floor & Home, and Ashley Montgomery, Assistant Vice President and Providence Office Manager.

First Freedom staff pose smiling around a table. A screen in the background reads Kiwanis Club of Lebanon.

First Freedom Premier Sponsor for Kiwanis Club Event

Written by Sarah Poss on April 20, 2023. Posted in Bank News, Sponsorships/Community.

First Freedom Bank was a premier sponsor for The Kiwanis Club of Lebanon’s Annual Celebrity Roast. This event is a fundraiser to support the activities of its non-profit foundation. Proceeds from the event benefit the community of Lebanon through various other non-profits and community initiatives.

First Freedom’s J.B. Owens and Ryan Woodall are members of the Kiwanis Club of Lebanon, with J.B. previously serving as a past President of the club. This year’s Celebrity Roast took place at the Capitol Theatre on Tuesday, March 28th, and Leadership Wilson’s Dorie Mitchell was the celebrity being honored.

Pictured from left to right is Courtney Keller, Relationship Specialist, J.B. Owens, Executive Vice President and Director of Commercial Banking, Phillip Vance, Vice President and Relationship Manager, Ryan Woodall, Assistant Vice President and Relationship Manager, Maliea Oakley, Senior Vice President and Director of Human Resources, and Shelia Ferrell, Senior Vice President and Managerial Lender.

First Freedom Staff pose in front of an orange, yellow, white, and black balloon arch with caution tape. Staff are dressed in hard hats and neon safety shirts.

First Freedom Supports Imagination Library

Written by Sarah Poss on April 13, 2023. Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement.

First Freedom Bank sponsored a table at the annual Wilson Books from Birth Imagination Library Dinner. Touted as a wacky night of fun, this event includes themed tables and costumes, a live auction and silent auction, and table awards. All proceeds go to Wilson Books from Birth.

First Freedom’s table theme was construction and staff had a blast donning their hard hats to support such an important organization.

In attendance was Courtney Keller, Relationship Specialist, Maliea Oakley, Senior Vice President and Director of Human Resources, Sarah Poss, Assistant Vice President and BSA Analyst / Marketing, Helen Green, Administrative Assistant, Mary Cate Hedge, Lebanon Personal Banker, Shelia Ferrell, Senior Vice President and Managerial Lender, Meagan Roberts, Providence Personal Banker, Holly Cox, Lebanon Personal Banker, and Tatum Ortlepp, Lebanon Personal Banker.

First Freedom Staff pose in front of a black backdrop outlined in colorful balloons.

First Freedom Supports Lebanon Chamber Event

Written by Sarah Poss on February 22, 2023. Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement.

First Freedom Bank attended the annual Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce banquet held on February 9th. This year’s theme was Neon Lights and Satin Nights.

Phillip Vance, Vice President and Relationship Manager, currently serves on the Board of Directors for the chamber.

Pictured from left-to-right, back row, is Ryan Woodall, Assistant Vice President and Relationship Manager, John Lancaster, Chairman and CEO, Phillip Vance, J.B. Owens, Executive Vice President and Director of Commercial Banking.

Pictured from left to right, front row, is Penny Lancaster, Shelia Ferrell, Senior Vice President and Managerial Lender, and Maliea Oakley, Senior Vice President and Director of Human Resources.

First Freedom Promotes Ortlepp

Written by Sarah Poss on February 15, 2023. Posted in New Hires/Promotions.

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.

Group photos of First Freedom staff in front of dark glittering backdrop

First Freedom Supports Mt. Juliet Chamber

Written by Sarah Poss on February 13, 2023. Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement.

First Freedom Bank attended the annual Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce Celebration held on February 3rd. This year’s event highlighted the chamber’s sixty years of service to the community.

Pictured from left to right, top row: Ashley Montgomery, Assistant Vice President and Providence Office Manager, Kenny Beavers, Senior Vice President and Director of Retail Banking, Denise Bingham, Providence Senior Personal Banker, Natalie Stark, Assistant Vice President and Mt. Juliet Office Manager.

Pictured from left to right, bottom row: Kaitlin Wattenbarger, Providence Personal Banker, Meagan Roberts, Providence Personal Banker, and Sarah Poss, Assistant Vice President / BSA Analyst / Marketing.

Tag: Wilson County