Fifty Banking Professionals Graduate from Southeastern School of Banking
The Southeastern School of Banking (TSSB), held at Belmont University, completed another year of shaping future banking leaders.
From July 19–24, a record class of 61 first-year students commenced their journey, while 50 second-year students proudly concluded theirs, graduating as the class of 2026.
Dedicated to cultivating the analytical prowess and management acumen of banking's rising stars, TSSB's rigorous program is a must for higher-ranking officials and junior to mid-level managers seeking to navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing financial landscape.
“The banking industry continues to change at a rapid rate, both from technology and ever-changing regulations that banks must navigate,” said Colin Barrett, president of the Tennessee Bankers Association. “Our Southeastern School of Banking provides the kind of high-level training that our graduates can take back to their banks, helping not only themselves but also others who they manage or work with.”
Bankers attending the school received 70 hours of classroom instruction in two one-week sessions over two years. In addition to traditional banking classes, students participated in the ABA’s BankExec Simulation. The bank-simulation program provides students a real-world bank management experience.
Click here to see photos from the event.
Honors and Scholarship Recipients
Each year, TSSB recognize those graduates who excel academically, ranking in the top 10 percent of their class. This year's distinction went to a select group of individuals who stood out for their exceptional performance across multiple challenging areas, including exams, simulations, and faculty evaluations.
Honors this year went to:
- John Bibb, Wilson Bank & Trust, Lebanon
- April Bobb, TriStar Bank, Columbia
- Connor Butler, Wayne County Bank, Collinwood
- Whitney Delk, First National Bank of Tennessee, Livingston
- Robert Stevenson, First Farmers and Merchants Bank, Columbia
2027 TSSB Enrollment
Invest in the future of your bank and enroll qualified candidates in The Southeastern School of Banking.
The 2027 concurrent year I and year II sessions are scheduled for July. If you would like more information on TSSB or any of TBA’s Southeastern Schools, please visit TNBankers.org or contact Monique White, via email at [email protected], or by phone at 615-244-4871.
2026 TSSB Graduates
- Miranda Abel, The Hardin County Bank, Savannah
- Kalinda Andrews, Wilson Bank & Trust, Lebanon
- Chelsea Ashcraft, Wilson Bank & Trust, Lebanon
- Megan Belcher, United Community Bank, Knoxville
- *John Bibb, Wilson Bank & Trust, Lebanon
- *April Bobb, TriStar Bank, Columbia
- Jennifer Bolin, Wilson Bank & Trust, Cookeville
- *Connor Butler, Wayne County Bank, Collinwood
- Danielle Caldwell, Wellworth Bank, Westmoreland
- Clay Carnes, First National Bank, Gallatin
- **Randi Davis, Wilson Bank & Trust, Lebanon
- *Whitney Delk, First National Bank of Tennessee, Livingston
- Conner Dempsey, North Alabama Bank, Hazel Green, Ala.
- Maria Easter, INSBANK, Nashville
- Wesley Freeman, First Community Bank of Tennessee, Shelbyville
- Ryan Garner, TriStar Bank, Dickson
- Sarah Hafley, Commercial Bank & Trust Co, Paris
- Jim Hammons, Bank of Lincoln County, Fayetteville
- Jacob Haney, Heritage Bank & Trust, Columbia
- Tonya Hansen, Citizens National Bank, Sevierville
- Delaney Harris, The Hardin County Bank, Savannah
- Tonya Hill, Union Bank & Trust Company, Livingston
- Tammy Horn, Wilson Bank & Trust, Murfreesboro
- Madison Horner, Peoples Bank, Clifton
- Matthew Huddleston, Commercial Bank, Harrogate
- Olivia Hughes, Carroll Bank and Trust, Huntingdon
- Courtney Hulsey, The Farmers Bank, Springfield
- Shawna Hunter, Union Bank & Trust Company, Livingston
- Jayce Johnson, The First National Bank of Middle Tennessee, McMinnville
- Stephanie Knight, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville
- Jacob Laws, Citizens Bank of Lawrence County, Br of Wayne County Bank, Loretto
- Helen Magette, Legends Bank, Clarksville
- Shelia Martin, CB&S Bank, Inc, Russellville, Ala.
- Kathryn Medrano, Wellworth Bank, Lafayette
- Cheya Neese, First National Bank of Tennessee, Livingston
- Kacee Odom, First National Bank of Tennessee, Sparta
- Alisha Robbins, Foundation Bank, Paris
- Will Seeley, West Tennessee Bank, a Div of Decatur County Bank, Jackson
- Cutter Shepherd, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville
- Victoria Shepherd, Wayne County Bank, Waynesboro
- Zachary Sloan, First National Bank, Gallatin
- *Robert Stevenson, First Farmers and Merchants Bank, Columbia
- Drew Strickland, United Community Bank, Nashville
- C.J. Tate, First Peoples Bank of Tennessee, Jefferson City
- Caleb Tuck, TriStar Bank, Dickson
- Gabby Vanatta, Wilson Bank & Trust, Lebanon
- Zack Vantrease, Wilson Bank & Trust, Lebanon
- Cameron Vickery, The Hardin County Bank, Savannah
- Logan Warren, Commercial Bank & Trust Co, Paris
- Elizabeth White, Wilson Bank & Trust, Nashville
- Jamie Womack, Security Federal Savings Bank of McMinnville, McMinnville
*Denotes Honor Graduate
**Denotes Graduate School of Banking at LSU Scholarship Recipient