Star Staff Reports
The Board of Patriot Bank is pleased to announce the appointment of John F. Smith as President, Chief Executive Officer, and member of the Board of Directors effective July 14, 2021.
Smith succeeds Charles Ennis who will maintain his role as Chairman of the Board for both Patriot Bank and Patriot of Tennessee Corporation and Larry Jackson who will continue serve as President Emeritus and a director of the bank.
“We are delighted to welcome John to Patriot,” said Charles Ennis. “We are looking forward to John’s leadership, and we are confident that his experience and perspective will further the success of the Bank as a leading community bank in West Tennessee.”
John brings over 35 years of banking experience to Patriot, most recently as Southwest Regional President for First Citizens National Bank. John has a rich history of lending and community development with a strong understanding of the markets in Shelby, Tipton, and Fayette counties. During his career he has been responsible for major banking functions associated with operations, compliance, and lending. Prior to his time at First Citizens, he held leadership positions at Oakland Deposit Bank, Bancorp South, Tennessee Community Bank, and Tipton County Bank.
He graduated from the University of Memphis in 1989 and completed multiple banking certifications from 1991 through 1999 including the ABA National Compliance School at the University of Oklahoma, the TBA Southeastern School of Sales Leadership and the TBA Southeastern School of Commercial Lending at Vanderbilt University, and the Louisiana State University Graduate School of Banking of the South. John has served on various community boards affiliated with commerce and economic development in Oakland and Fayette County. Throughout the years he has volunteered his time with local organizations such as the Covington Dixie Girls Softball Association, Brighton Middle School Girls Basketball, and the Mason Volunteer Fire Department. He and his wife, Pam, reside in Mason, Tennessee where they have raised two daughters, Katie Belew (Cody) and Mary Grace Chamberlain (Nick). They are also the proud grandparents of Levi Belew. John and Pam are members of and attend Hope Church in Memphis.
The appointment is a clear reflection of Patriot’s long-term strategy. As the bank celebrates its 20th anniversary, it remains soundly capitalized with excellent community relationships in Millington, Collierville, Arlington, Covington, Raleigh, Rosemark and South Tipton.
As a result, the bank is positioned to achieve even greater success and Smith will be at the forefront ensuring that the bank’s customers continue to experience exceptional service.
Smith said, “I am honored and enthusiastic about the opportunity to assume leadership of Patriot. I have a deep respect for all the work that has taken place over the last 20 years and I look forward to working closely with Charles, Larry, the board, members of the management, and our front-line teammates to ensure a seamless transition. I am committed to moving the company forward and building an even stronger foundation for the future.”
In similar action, the Board also elected Keith Barger to serve as Patriot Bank Mortgage CEO, Vice Chairman of Patriot Bank, and member of the Board of Directors. Barger joined Patriot in 2001 and has served as Executive Vice President and Mortgage Department Manager for the bank. He was part of the founding management team that started Patriot Bank and currently provides leadership and executive oversight at the Corporate Office in Barretville.
