MT. JULIET, TN – For another year, Pinnacle Bank of Nashville is contributing $3,000 in support of secondary agricultural education programs and Future Farmers of America (FFA) in Tennessee, announced Tennessee FFA Foundation chairman, Dr. Ben Byler.
“We’re continuously grateful for the support we have received from Pinnacle Bank. We’re proud to partner with them in benefiting Tennessee FFA students, and investing in the caliber of students who emerge from the organization,” said Byler.
Lee Campbell, area manager for Pinnacle Bank, recently joined with Raymond James Financial Services advisor Joe Comer in making the contribution that will allow Tennessee FFA to use the undesignated dollars where they can benefit students most. Comer is a past FFA State Officer from the Lebanon High School FFA Chapter in Lebanon, TN.
Since the inception of Pinnacle Bank’s funding of Tennessee FFA, the state’s organization has seen six State Officers from Wilson County. These officers include, from Lebanon High school: Dalton Teel (2015-2016), from Watertown High school: Andy Ligon (2009-2010), and from Wilson Central High school: James Flatt (2009-2010), Emily Buck (2010-2011), Kevin Roberston (2014-2015), and Chelsea Sanders (2016-2016).
“We want to invest in our state and community by supporting the students who will one day lead our world. I recently finished a Leadership Wilson program here in Wilson County, and have a new understanding for the importance of agriculture and agricultural education,” said Campbell.
State FFA Degree recipient and current FFA State Officer, Chelsea Wattenbarger said, “Being able to travel across the state and provide a support system for FFA members to reach their full potential would not be possible without the support of businesses like Pinnacle Bank.” Chelsea will be receiving her American Degree at the 88th National FFA Convention in October.
The Tennessee FFA Foundation was founded in 1983 to promote the best interests of students involved in agricultural education and FFA in order to enhance opportunities that will enable them to reach their maximum potential as productive citizens.
FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. Nationally, there are 610,240 FFA members, aged 12-21. The Tennessee FFA Association is comprised of more than 13,000 members from 214 high school chapters, seven middle school chapters, and eight collegiate chapters across the state of Tennessee.
Photo Caption: Lee Campbell (left) and Joe Comer (right) of Pinnacle Bank present a $3,000 check to Chelsea Sanders (left) and Chelsea Wattenbarger (right), representing Tennessee FFA as State Officers.