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Tag: Wilson County

Wilson County includes First Freedom Bank’s Lebanon Office.

First Freedom Sponsors Rehab23 Christmas Breakfast

First Freedom Bank proudly co-sponsored the annual Wilson County Rehab23 Christmas Breakfast and Appreciation Program, which honors the dedication of local emergency responders.

This year’s guest speaker, James (Jim) Scarboro, Assistant Special Agent in Charge at the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), shared valuable insights with attendees. Leaders from the eight Wilson County agencies supported by Rehab23, along with Rehab23 responders and community supporters, gathered to celebrate their collective efforts.

Pictured above from left to right are Denise Bingham, AVP and Providence Office Manager, Tatum Ortlepp, Retail Banking Sales Manager, James Carroll, Rehab23 VP of Operations, Lynn Yeager, Rehab23 President, James Scarboro, Meagan Roberts, Lebanon Personal Banker, and Sarah Poss, Vice President & Director of Retail Banking.


At First Freedom Bank, we are dedicated to supporting the essential work of first responders in our community. To find out more about our community engagements, please interact with the button below!

First Freedom Volunteers for Wilson County Christmas for All

The holiday season is a time for giving, sharing, and spreading joy to those around us. At First Freedom Bank, we are proud to be part of the Wilson County community and to support initiatives that positively impact the lives of our neighbors. One initiative that brings us great joy is the Wilson County Christmas for All event, which provides toys to children in need, ensuring a Merry Christmas for everyone.

Team members Tatum Ortlepp, Retail Banking Sales Manager, Sheila Ferrell, Senior Vice President and Managerial Lender, and Christy Trammel, Administrative Assistant, Holly Wolfe, Lebanon Personal Banker, Alexia Borrero, Lebanon FSR II, Blake Smith, Accounting Clerk, and Kayla Ring, Assistant VP & Construction Manager each volunteered their time to contribute to the effort of providing gifts to over 2,000 children in need. This volunteer work allowed them to give back to the community and make a positive difference in the lives of those around them, reflecting the community service spirit that First Freedom Bank values.

Pictured above left to right is Christy Trammel, Sheila Ferrell, and Tatum Ortlepp.


Pictured below left to right is Holly Wolfe, Alexia Borrero, Blake Smith, and Kayla Ring.


We are proud to engage with our community and appreciate the opportunity to serve our neighbors. For more information about our initiatives and impact, please click the buttons below.

First Freedom Supports Wilson County Christmas for All

As a proud member of the Wilson County community, First Freedom Bank is honored to support the Wilson County Christmas for All initiative. This heartwarming event, in partnership with the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Lebanon Fire Department (LFD), provides toys to children from newborn to 13 years old, ensuring a Merry Christmas for all. Our staff, including Lebanon Personal Banker, Brooke Weldy, Credit Analyst, Blair Fry, Lebanon FSR, Rayne Grace, Retail Banking Sales Manager, Tatum Ortlepp, and Administrative Assistant, Helen Green volunteered their time to help bring joy to over 2,000 children in need.

At First Freedom Bank, we’re committed to giving back to our community and making a positive impact on the lives of those around us. Our involvement with Wilson County Christmas for All is just one example of our dedication to supporting local initiatives that make a difference.


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 Proudly Supports FCA

First Freedom Bank sponsored a table at the annual Wilson County Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Banquet. This year, the event hosted guest speaker Dr. Gene Allen, successful entrepreneur and author of Taking Care of Business, and held an interview with Morgan Price, 2024 USAG National Champion.

First Freedom’s John Hawkins, Vice President – Specialized Lending, currently serves on the FCA Board of Directors.

Bank staff in attendance were John Bradshaw, President / COO & CLO, Christy Trammel, Administrative Assistant, Helen Green, Administrative Assistant, Meagan Roberts, Providence Personal Banker, Phillip Vance, VP and Relationship Manager, Tatum Ortlepp, Retail Banking Sales Manager, Denise Bingham, AVP and Providence Office Manager, and John Hawkins.


First Freedom Bank’s first office and headquarters opened in Lebanon, Tennessee, in 2006. We are a true community bank: of our more than1,000 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 a Sponsor for CASA Fundraiser

First Freedom Bank proudly sponsored a table for Wilson County CASA’s annual Casa de Moda event on October 3rd. This festive fundraiser and fashion show was hosted at Tuckers Gap, showcasing apparel from local boutiques. Guests had the opportunity to shop from these boutiques during the event, with a portion of the sales proceeds benefiting CASA. This year’s theme was Wizard of Office and First Freedom’s table was decorated as the Emerald City.

First Freedom’s Shelia Ferrell, Senior Vice President and Managerial Lender, is on the board of Wilson County CASA.

Pictured above (left to right) is Sarah PossVice President and Director of Retail Banking, Tatum Ortlepp, Retail Banking Sales Manager and Bank Officer, Denise Bingham, Assistant Vice President and Providence Office Manager, Sheila Ferrell, Senior Vice President and Managerial Lender, Helen Green, Administrative Assistant, Maliea Oakley, Senior Vice President and Director of Human Resources, Christy Trammel, Administrative Assistant, and Kayla Ring, Assistant Vice President and Construction Manager.


At First Freedom Bank, we’re committed to building strong relationships and making a positive impact in our community. To learn more about our banking services and how we can help you achieve your financial goals, click the interactive buttons below.

First Freedom Supports Mt. Juliet Chamber Event

First Freedom Bank hosted a hospitality tent and had a team participate in the annual Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce golf tournament, held at Pine Creek Golf Course. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the chamber.

Pictured at the bank’s hospitality tent are, from left to right, Jennifer Mancuso, Mt. Juliet Personal Banker, and Meagan Roberts, Providence Personal Banker.

Staff participating in the bank team are, from left to right, Ryan Woodall, AVP and Relationship Manager, Phillip Vance, VP and Relationship Manager, J.B. Owens, EVP and Director of Commercial Banking, and John Bradshaw, President / COO & CLO.

First Freedom Team Tournament

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.

First Freedom Supports Chamber Golf Tournament

First Freedom supported the Dr. Cary Harbrecht Memorial Chamber Summer Scramble with a hospitality tent and hole sponsorship. The bank also had a team participate in the scramble.

This is the 24th year that this scramble has been held and proceeds raised during the event go to the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce.

Pictured above at the Freedom tent, from left to right, is Helen Green, Administrative Assistant, Tatum Ortlepp, Retail Banking Sales Manager, Brooke Weldy, Lebanon Personal Banker, and Alexia Borrero, Lebanon FSR.

Pictured below is the bank team which includes, from left to right, Phillip Vance, VP and Relationship Manager, Ryan Woodall, AVP and Relationship Manager, John Bradshaw, President / COO & CLO, and J.B. Owens, EVP and Director of Commercial Banking. 


First Freedom Bank’s first office and headquarters opened in Lebanon, Tennessee, in 2006. We are a true community bank: of our more than1,000 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 support of the Tennessee FFA Foundation at this event. 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 & TennCommUNITY Volunteer with Wilson Co. Schools

First Freedom, as a member of TennCommUNITY, had staff volunteer with Wilson County Schools to help pack food boxes for its weekend food program. The weekend food program is an initiative of the school system’s Family Resource Center, which serves as a resource and support hub for students and families.

The bank has been a participant of TennCommUNITY since its inception in 2020, when it was created to stimulate local spending and support small businesses in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the years, the program has evolved to move beyond just post-pandemic support to an ongoing effort to keep local dollars in our community.

Staff are pictured with other TennCommUNITY members and include Jennifer Mancuso, Mt. Juliet Personal Banker, Mary Cate Hedge, Lebanon Personal Banker, Meagan Roberts, Providence Personal Banker, and Sarah Poss, VP and Director of Retail Banking. 


At First Freedom Bank, we’re as committed to the legacy of our communities as you are. We’ve started businesses and raised families, built homes, and made memories – right here. Our hopes and dreams, like yours, are rooted our communities. To learn more about our community involvement or to read more about our bank history, click the buttons below.

First Freedom Shows Support at FFA Event

First Freedom showed its support to the Tennessee FFA Foundation by sponsoring a table at their annual Ham Breakfast. For the past nine years, this fundraiser has auctioned off price-winning hams while attendees enjoy breakfast, with all monies raised going back to the organization.  

This year, the country style ham sold for $25,000 and the Packer Style ham sold for $18,500. As a bonus, keynote speaker Trace Adkins provided a signed cowboy hat that was auctioned off for $2,500.

In attendance to represent First Freedom was, from left to right, John Lancaster, Chairman and CEO, J.B. Owens, EVP and Director of Commercial Banking, Sarah Poss, VP and Director of Retail Banking, Shelia Ferrell, SVP and Managerial Lender, and Phillip Vance, VP and Managerial Lender. In attendance but not pictured was Laura Johnson, SVP and ISO & Deposit Operations Manager.


First Freedom Bank’s first office and headquarters opened in Lebanon, Tennessee, in 2006. We are a true community bank: of our more than1,000 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 support of the Tennessee FFA Foundation at this event. 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 Recognizes Employees with Chairman’s Cup Award

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.