First Metro Bank announces promotions

First Metro Bank, a community bank serving Colbert, Franklin and Lauderdale counties, would like to congratulate the following employees on their promotions. Together these employees represent over 120 years of experience, knowledge and commitment to First Metro Bank and the residents of Northwest Alabama.

• Delores Cotton, promoted to Senior Vice President, became part of the First Metro Bank team in 1991 and currently serves as a Lending Officer at the Muscle Shoals office. She manages the approval and processing of consumer, commercial and real estate loans.

•Scott Haataja, promoted to Senior Vice President, is a Commercial Lending Officer at the Pine Street office and supervises the operation of First Metro Bank’s Commercial Loan Department. Scott began his employment with First Metro Bank in 2005.

• Mike Vaughn, Branch Manager of the Russellville office since its origination in 1995, was promoted to Senior Vice President. With more than 30 years of experience in the financial industry, Mike’s expertise is vital to the First Metro Bank team.

• Rhonda Garrett, employed with First Metro Bank since 1995, was promoted to Vice President. Rhonda has served the bank in many capacities, which include Customer Service Representative, Lending Assistant and Loan Officer before joining the Compliance Department and serving as First Metro Bank’s Compliance Officer.

• Tony Hardin, Branch Manager of the Cloverdale Road office, was promoted to Vice President. Tony began his employment with First Metro Bank in 1997 and currently serves in a dual role as Risk Management Officer and Loan Officer. Tony’s dedication to First Metro Bank and the community are apparent as he serves on various boards and charitable organizations in the Shoals area.

• Leigh Ann Pierce, with over 15 years of experience at First Metro Bank, was promoted to Vice President. Leigh Ann serves as Loan Services Manager and supervises a team of loan processors who ensure new commercial and mortgage loan packages are processed according to established policies and procedures while remaining compliant with existing regulations.

• Chris Parrish, promoted to Assistant Vice President, has eight years of banking experience and currently serves as Credit Administrator. Chris also oversees the following regulatory requirements for the bank: Fair Credit Reporting Act, Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act and Identity Theft Prevention.

• Janice Coger was recently promoted to Branch Manager at the Hough Road office. In her span of 14 years with First Metro Bank, Janice has also served in the positions of Head Teller, Customer Service Representative, and Loan Officer. Janice’s commitment to the bank and the community are evident by her level of involvement with local organizations.

• Alana Parker, Education and Training Director at First Metro Bank, was promoted to Assistant Cashier and Community Reinvestment Act Officer.  Alana has thirteen years of experience in the banking and financial industry and currently serves as the CHOICES chairperson for the Shoals Chamber of Commerce.

• Starla White, promoted to Assistant Cashier, is Operations Assistant, in addition to Customer Service Representative and Teller Coordinator. Starla serves as an integral part of the operations team by coordinating training for employees as the bank approaches new and exciting opportunities.

“The board of directors and I are pleased to witness the success of these employees and we look forward to the future impact these individuals will have at First Metro Bank,” First Metro Bank President and CEO Rodney Howard said.