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Tag: Wilson County

Wilson County includes First Freedom Bank’s Lebanon Office.

First Freedom Sponsors Wilson Books from Birth Fundraiser

First Freedom was a table sponsor at the annual Wilson Books from Birth Imagination Dinner, held this past week at the Farm Bureau Expo Center. Funds raised during the Imagination Dinner go toward the Books from Birth program, which provides books at no cost to children across the county. Each table chooses a theme based on a children’s book. Our theme this year was based on Full Moon Pups. We were delighted to be awarded “Most Whimsical,” which marks the third year in a row that we have received an award for our tablescape. This was a night of fun and celebration, and we are always happy to be part of it!

Pictured above from Left – Right: Trey Watkins, Senior Personal Banker and Marketing Specialist, Shelia Ferrell, Senior Vice President and Managerial Lender, Kayla Ring, Vice President and Construction Manager, Sarah Poss, First Vice President and Director of Retail Banking, Tatum Ortlepp, Assistant Vice President and Retail Banking Sales Manager, Blake Smith, Accounting Clerk, Brooke Weldy, Assistant Vice President and Mt. Juliet Office Manager.


First Freedom Bank values the opportunity to contribute to meaningful initiatives that serve our communities. To learn more about our community involvement, please click the buttons below!

First Freedom Hosts Fraud Bingo with Cedar Seniors

In honor of April being recognized as National Financial Literacy Month, First Freedom hosted a Fraud Bingo Day at Cedar Seniors this past week. Fraud Bingo educates players on the different types of financial fraud to better prepare them for real-life scenarios. For more financial educational programs from the American Bankers Association, click here!

Cedar Seniors, Inc. is located in Lebanon and provides community meals and activities for local senior citizens.

Pictured above, from left to right, is Blake Smith, Accounting Clerk, Tatum Ortlepp, AVP and Retail Sales Manager, and Ken Nelson Sr., President of Cedar Seniors. Pictured below are Fraud Bingo winners.


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 community blogs, click the links below.

First Freedom Raises Funds for United Way

Each year First Freedom organizes an employee campaign to raise funds for the United Way of Wilson County and Upper Cumberland. This year we raised $7,000! These proceeds will be given to different non-profits across Middle Tennessee and the Upper Cumberland. We want to thank our employees and the leadership of Ryan Woodall, MBA, VP & Relationship Manager and Chairman of the Board for United Way. We are always appreciative to support an organization that yields so many positive changes to our communities.

Pictured above is First Freedom staff presenting the donation to United Way.


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.

First Freedom Serves Lunch at LSCC

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.

First Freedom Supports Lebanon Senior Citizens Center Valentine’s Gala

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!

First Freedom Supports Mt. Juliet Chamber Celebration

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.

First Freedom Promotes Ring & Weldy

Kayla Ring has been promoted to Vice President. Kayla previously served as an Assistant
Vice President. She will continue to serve as Construction Manager for the bank,
overseeing the bank’s residential construction lending program.

“I am delighted to see Kayla continue to grow within our company. She is a top-tier member
of our team here at First Freedom and it shows in her job performance on a daily-basis.
Kayla’s dedication to her clients and to our bank is second to none. In every position she
has held at the bank over the years she has excelled,” stated J.B. Owens, Executive Vice
President of First Freedom.

Kayla joined our team in August of 2013 as a FSR at our Lebanon Office. She then moved
into the FSR Manager role, before joining our lending team in 2017

Kayla grew up in Lebanon, and now resides in Bethpage with her
husband Michael, and their son. Kayla and her family attend New
Rivers International Church where she is actively involved. Kayla
volunteers annually for Christmas for All, Imagination Library, and
Wilson County CASA.

Brooke Weldy has been promoted to Assistant Vice President and Mt. Juliet Office
Manager. Brooke previously served as a Personal Banker at our main office in Lebanon.

“Customers are at the heart of our operations, and Brooke exemplifies that in everything
she does,” said Sarah Poss, First Vice President and Director of Retail Banking. “I am proud
to see her grow in her role with our team and have no doubt her passion for helping others
and banking expertise will lead the Mt. Juliet office to further successes.”

Brooke joined our team in April of 2022 as Financial Services
Representative at our Lebanon Office. During her time with us she
moved into a management role as the FSR Manager at the Mt. Juliet
Office, shortly thereafter going back to the Lebanon Office as Personal
Banker. She has shown exceptional technical skills and customer
service in all her career stages, as well as consistently performing as a

Brooke grew up in Lebanon and still resides there with her husband and their 4 children.
They attend Hillcrest Baptist Church, where she has been a life-long member and part of
the choir team.


First Freedom Supports Rehab 23 Christmas Breakfast

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.

First Freedom Supports FCA Fundraiser

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.

First Freedom Bank Sponsors MJ Chamber Golf Tournament

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.