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Tag: Wilson County

Wilson County includes First Freedom Bank’s Lebanon Office.

First Freedom Announces Promotions

Written by Sarah Poss on . Posted in Bank News, New Hires/Promotions, Press Releases.

Sarah Poss has been promoted to Director of Retail Banking. Poss previously served as the Assistant Director of Retail Banking and assumes the role from her predecessor, Kenny Beavers, as he transitions into retirement.

“Sarah Poss is an excellent choice to lead our Retail Banking Division,” stated John Lancaster, Chairman and CEO of First Freedom, “She has held every position on the Retail side of the bank and has operational efficiencies, as well. She is immensely qualified and highly regarded among her peers.”

Poss began her career with First Freedom as a Financial Service Representative (FSR) in January of 2015 and advanced rapidly through the retail side of the bank.  She has served as FSR Manager, Training Coordinator, Personal Banker, Providence Office Manager, Virtual Office Manager, and Marketing Manager.  She has also gained a valuable background in bank operations where she is credited with establishing our branch audit program and online account-opening capabilities, in addition to serving as a BSA analyst. 

A graduate of Watertown High School, Poss earned a B.S. in Anthropology from Middle Tennessee State University and has completed additional coursework in Accounting and Economics through Vol State Community College.  She is currently pursuing her MBA through Tennessee Tech University. Professionally, Poss has completed the Tennessee Bankers Association’s Branch Leadership Series and is currently enrolled in their Southeastern School of Banking program.  

Tatum Ortlepp has been promoted to Retail Banking Sales Manager. Ortlepp previously served as the Assistant Office Manager at the bank’s main office. In her new role, she will oversee all things sales and service-related in our delivery system. 

“When it comes to the customer experience, Tatum Ortlepp is the Gold Standard,” stated Lancaster, “Her professionalism and her ability to educate and enhance every customer’s visit is unparalleled. I’m excited to see her in this role.”

Another great example of “Promotion from Within,” Ortlepp joined First Freedom in July of 2018 as a Financial Service Representative (FSR).  She was promoted to Personal Banker (PB) in 2019 and Senior PB in 2022. In January of 2023, she was promoted to Bank Officer and Assistant Office Manager of the Lebanon Office, where she has done an excellent job in continuously improving sales and product knowledge among the staff.  Consistently ranking as a top performer, Ortlepp was voted by her peers as the bank’s Red Carpet Service award winner in 2021. She also maintains additional responsibilities as our Shareholder Services representative.

Ortlepp is a graduate of Wilson Central High School and has completed numerous courses through the Tennessee Bankers Association.

First Freedom Raises Funds for United Way

Written by Sarah Poss on . Posted in Community Involvement.

First Freedom Bank has once again conducted an employee campaign to raise funds for United Way of Wilson County and the Upper Cumberland. The bank is a long-time supporter of this organization and joins their fundraising efforts each year. This year the bank raised $7,500, which was contributed to over 40 local non-profit programs.

United Way’s 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, Assistant Vice President and Relationship Manager, serves on their board of directors.

Pictured are First Freedom staff with their campaign contribution check.

First Freedom Hosts Financial Literacy Program at Senior Center

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

First Freedom hosted a Financial Literacy Program at the Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center on March 25th. The program focused on common scams targeting older adults and offered strategies to avoid fraudsters and financial exploitation.

Pictured from left to right are the program hosts, Ashley Montgomery, Assistant Vice President and Mt. Juliet Office Manager, and Sarah Poss, Vice President and Director of Retail Banking.

First Freedom’s Montgomery Delivers Books to Students

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

First Freedom’s Ashley Montgomery, Assistant Vice President and Mt. Juliet Office Manager, delivered books last Friday to all Wilson County first grade students through the Mt. Juliet Noon Rotary’s Read to Succeed Program. She serves as the Club Membership Chair for the Noon Rotary. This is the second year she has participated in the Read to Succeed Program.

First Freedom is Table Sponsor at Lebanon Senior Citizen Center Event

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

First Freedom Bank sponsored a table at the Lebanon Senior Citizen Center’s annual Valentines Celebration and Fundraiser. This is one of the largest fundraisers for the center and it doubled this year as a commemoration of their 45th year of service.

Pictured from left to right is Barbara Beasley, Jim Beasley, Norma Fugate, Don Fugate, Tatum Ortlepp, Lebanon Assistant Office Manager, Garrett Ortlepp, Ray Hodges, and Marty Hodges.

First Freedom Bank Supports Lebanon Chamber Event

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

First Freedom Bank sponsored a table at the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber’s annual celebration. This was a particularly big year for the event, as the chamber was also celebrating their centennial. Held at The Mill in Lebanon, attendance was over 500 businesses and individual members.

Pictured from left to right, back row, is John Lancaster, Chairman and CEO, Ryan Woodall, Assistant Vice President and Relationship Manager, Jackie Gaither, Board Member, John Bradshaw, President / COO & CLO, Phillip Vance, Vice President and Relationship Manager, and J.B. Owens, Executive Vice President and Director of Commercial Banking, Pictured from left to right, front row, is Maliea Oakley, Senior Vice President and Director of Human Resources, and Shelia Ferrell, Senior Vice President and Managerial Lender.

Denise Bingham smiles at the camera against a grey background.

First Freedom Promotes Bingham

Written by Sarah Poss on . Posted in Bank News, New Hires/Promotions.

Denise Bingham has been promoted to Providence Office Manager and Assistant Vice President, announced John Lancaster, Chairman and CEO. Bingham’s prior role was as a Senior Personal Banker and Development Coordinator.

“I’m very excited to see Denise move into this important role,” stated Lancaster.  “Her coworkers love and respect her and her customers know she has a wealth of banking knowledge.  Denise is a top-shelf individual in every respect and I’m proud to have her representing First Freedom.”   

Bingham is a career banker with extensive experience in the retail division, as well as lending. Before joining First Freedom in 2017, she served as an Assistant Vice President and Branch manager with a corporate bank where she was recognized with a Distinguished Sales and Marketing Award. Over the last couple of years, she has served as an Ambassador for the Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce.

A native of Lebanon, Bingham continues to reside there with her husband. They have two daughters and are members of Maple Hill Church of Christ.

First Freedom Bank, headquartered in Wilson County, was established in 2006.  A full service, community bank, First Freedom Bank offers personal and commercial banking services from six locations in Wilson, Putnam and Jackson Counties, and has approximately 70 employees. First Freedom Bank has assets in excess of $600 million and is owned by more than 1,100 shareholders throughout Middle Tennessee. First Freedom Bank is a member of the Better Business Bureau, an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. Additionally, First Freedom has earned the prestigious Five Star rating by Bauer Financial, the nation’s leading independent bank and credit union rating firm.

Give A Little Christmas with First Freedom Bank

First Freedom Volunteers with Give a Little Christmas

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

First Freedom staff volunteered to work during Give a Little Christmas’ Parent Distribution Week. Give a Little Christmas is a non-profit organization local to Mt. Juliet that donates toys to families in need within Wilson County and the surrounding areas.  This was their 12th year in operation, supplying Christmas for 150 to 500 kids each year.

Pictured from left to right is Sarah Poss, Vice President and Assistant Director of Retail Banking, and Ashley Montgomery, Assistant Vice President and Mt. Juliet Office Manager.

Kasey Johnston and Holly Wolfe pose in front of a Christmas backdrop and tree.

First Freedom Volunteers with Easter Seals Tennessee

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

First Freedom Bank staff volunteered to help with Easter Seals Tennessee’s annual holiday party. The party was organized for Easter Seals’ Early Intervention and Autism Therapy Families in Wilson County. Around 150 families were invited to attend.

 Staff assisted with the party set-up, as well as helping with several activities during the party.

Easter Seals Tennessee is a non-profit organization that supports children and adults living with autism and other disabilities or special needs and their families.

Pictured, top, left to right is Kasey Johnston, Lebanon FSR, and Holly Wolfe, Lebanon Personal Banker.

Pictured, bottom, left to right, is Amanda Hewitt, Lebanon FSR, and Tatum Ortlepp, Lebanon Assistant Office Manager.

FFB Staff pose with guest speaker and mayor in front of a brick wall and a Rehab23 sign.

First Freedom Sponsors Rehab23 Christmas Breakfast

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

First Freedom Bank was a co-sponsor of the annual Wilson County Rehab23 First Responders Christmas Breakfast. Attendees include Sheriff, Directors, & Chiefs of the 8 Wilson County agencies Rehab23 supports and Rehab23 responders, as well as other guests or organizations that have provided support to the organization.

The special guest speaker this year was Patrick Sheehan, Director of Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.

Pictured left to right is Sarah Poss, Vice President and Assistant Director of Retail Banking, Denise Bingham, Providence Personal Banker, Ashley Montgomery, Assistant Vice President and Providence Office Manager, Patrick Sheehan, Mayor Hutto, and Kenny Beavers, Senior Vice President and Director of Retail Banking.