Archives: Team Members

Chiefs

Betania Freire

Post date November 10, 2021

Market Area

Greenville County, South Carolina, and the surrounding region

What is your niche or expertise?

Exceptional customer service and communication skills. Great experience in retail banking including consumer lending and management.

Banking Experience

Betania began her career in banking over eighteen years ago as a Teller and has served in many capacities throughout the industry, including Lending and Management. Past awards and recognitions include selection as a candidate for an Internal Management Program, giving her the knowledge and expertise to maximize her experience in banking. Betania has also been recognized for her sales excellence and client service.

After a decade in banking, Betania decided to make a change to community banking as she recognized the advantages of working for the local community. She has been with Community First Bank for two years, assisting clients with deposit accounts and loans, and she is excited to continue to grow in her career as a Branch Manager.

Accredited Banking Professional

Education

Bachelor of Science in Education at Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Nicaragua, UNAN.
Skills: Bilingual in English and Spanish. Extremely organized; attention to detail; the highest level of customer service through great communication, responsiveness, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.

Personal Interests

Betania is committed to her community and has been recognized and awarded as an “Upstate Community Hero” by the Hispanic Women’s Association (AHAM). She currently serves on the board for Latinos United and is a past board member for Upstate International. She uses her knowledge and skills in finance to help community members on the Financial Stability Committee for the Hispanic Alliance.

Besides volunteering and participating in the community, she loves traveling, learning about other cultures, cooking, dancing, and entertaining with family and friends. Betania is from Nicaragua and has lived in the USA for twenty-one years.

Chiefs

Trisha Warwick

Post date June 15, 2021

Lenders

Linda Willis

Post date August 26, 2021

Market Area

Elizabethton, Tennessee; Carter County, and the surrounding region

What is your niche or expertise?

I assist customers with all of their lending needs. Personal loans, home loans, auto loans, and credit cards.

Banking Experience

I have been in the banking industry for almost forty years. I began my career as a customer service representative and am currently managing the TriCities region of retail banking for Community First Bank. We have locations in Elizabethton and Johnson City.

Chiefs

Alisa Suddeth

Post date June 15, 2021

Lenders

Joshua Brant

Post date January 12, 2021

Market Area

Western North Carolina (Asheville, Canton, Waynesville, Sylva, Franklin, Bryson City, Hayesville, Andrews, Murphy)

What is your niche or expertise?

Small Business, CRE, OOCRE, RE Development

Banking Experience

I have been working within the banking and finance industry since 2002. During that time, I specialized in financial planning, investments, mortgage lending, retail banking, and commercial lending. I enjoy working with small business owners to navigate the complexities of financing, grow their businesses, and be a valued advisor and partner. I was recently promoted to Commercial Team Leader for the Western NC and Tennessee markets where I will support and oversee commercial development.

Certifications and Education

BSBA – Economics and Finance; MBA – Corporate Finance/Management; Graduate of the BB&T Banking School at Wake Forest.

Skills, Accomplishments, and Awards

Having been in retail banking management roles, I have experience in sales leadership, career development, coaching and developing branch staff on the consultative sales approach, small business lending, and financial analysis.

Personal Interests and Community Involvement

I enjoy spending time with my two amazing children. And I also love anything outdoors such as golfing, fishing, and hunting. I draw inspiration for community growth by traveling abroad and experiencing different cultures.

“It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.” -Walt Disney

Jerry Ollis

Post date January 12, 2021

Market Area

WNC with primary focus on Jackson, Swain, and Macon counties.

What is your niche or expertise?

Commercial lending and business development with over 35 years in small business and commercial lending.

Banking Experience

Jerry retired from full-time banking in 2020 with over 43 years of experience. His exposure involved most facets of banking to include bank administration, credit administration with a primary focus on business development and small business and commerical lending.

Certification and Education

Jerry was a 1976 graduate of Appalachian State University with a BSBA and concentration in Management. He went on to also become a graduate of North Carolina School of Banking along with the completion of many bank courses to include sales and business development, credit analysis, and management of personnel.

Skills, Accomplishments, and Awards

Jerry has a track record with prior employers to include business development and improved performance of offices within markets he worked.

Personal Interests and Community Involvement

Jerry is an avid sports fan to include golf, ACC basketball, and football. He enjoys military history and was an active member of the Lions club and other civic organizations. He most recently has been involved in the Jackson County Chamber. Jerry is a life-long Mason with over 35 years of membership.

“Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity” – George S. Patton

Lenders

Jennifer N. Lee

Post date January 12, 2021

Market area

Oconee County

What is your niche or expertise?

Consumer loans (vehicles, motorcycles, tractors, campers, ect…)

Banking experience

I began my banking career as a teller in 2002 and joined the Community First Bank team in 2003. I have advanced from a teller to a Customer Service Representative, and then to a bank manager in 2016 at the Westminster location. I am fully vested in my community and take pride in being able to help the people around me.

Certifications and Education

Graduate – South Carolinas Bankers School (2021)

Skills, accomplishments, and awards

Consumer Lending School Certification (2018)
Chosen as CFB representative to undertake new software rollout and training

Personal Interests and Community Involvement

Member of Westminster Rotary Club – a group where professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas, form meaningful, lifelong friendships, and give back to their communities.

I enjoy spending time in the arts by crafting, creating different home projects for holidays, and special events and painting.

“Climb high, climb far…your goal is the sky – your aim, the stars.”

Lenders

Kayla Beheler

Post date December 6, 2021

Market Area

Charlotte and the surrounding region

What is your niche or expertise?

My niche is excellent customer service, 100% of the time, as well as products and services! I have been in customer service and care for 20 years. I absolutely love and value people and helping them each day is what I do best!

Banking Experience

I first started my banking career in 2012 as a part-time teller. From there I worked my way up, having several different roles within the bank and advanced to a Customer Service Representative in 2020. I am now the branch manager of our Charlotte NC branch! I am eager to learn and grow to help our customers every day!

Personal Interests and Community Involvement

Besides loving to help people, which I honestly do, I love gardening, flowers, and animals! My husband and I do a garden and share our crops with everyone! I am very dedicated to my church and community! As I have several roles in which I proudly do. I also enjoy hiking and 5ks. I was the coach for Girls on the Run for 3 years!

I have 4 mantras that I live by……1: Love, care, and forgive people the way you would like to be 2: optimism is the faith that leads to achievement; nothing can be done without hope-Helen Keller, 3: every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day, and lastly do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better do better!!!

Board of Directors Leadership