One of the mainstays of the Nashville Post magazine is our In Charge list. Each year, we highlight the people that make our city work. Be them newly minted or seasoned veterans, we have trimmed this year’s list to the best of the best.
Rajeev Amara — CEO, Arcline Investment Management: From Nashville, oversees private equity firm with additional offices in New York and San Francisco. Closed $4.5 billion fund in 2023. Former managing director at Golden Gate Capital.
Teresa J.W. Bailey — Nashville President, Waddell & Associates: Was promoted in 2023 to lead Nashville office of investment firm with further presence in Memphis and Aspen. Maintains wealth strategy and professional services practice.
Thomas Bates — President and CEO, Legends Bank: Leads Clarksville bank founded in 1998 in Montgomery County and also with a presence in Cheatham, Davidson and Williamson counties.
Sam Bennett — Managing Partner, KPMG: Has worked with firm for most of his career. Oversees Nashville and Knoxville offices of Big Four firm and focuses on clients in consumer, retail and industrial manufacturing sectors.
Seth Bernstein — President and CEO, AllianceBernstein: Moved asset management firm from New York to Nashville. Previously worked 32 years at JPMorgan Chase, most recently as managing director and global head of managed solutions and strategy at J.P. Morgan Asset Management.
David Briggs — President, Fifth Third Bank (Tennessee): Former market president for Capital Bank and longtime Bank of America official (27 years) joined Cincinnati lender in 2018.
Chuck Byrge — President and CEO, Harpeth Capital: Leader since 2005 of middle market investment banking firm. Previously worked in M&A, capital raising and led FTN Financial’s i-banking team.
Sid Chambless — Managing Partner, Nashville Capital Network: Leads 22-year-old early-stage investment firm. Dozens of companies have raised more than $100 million via the plat-form.
Lindsey Cox — CEO, Launch Tennessee: Returned to public-private entrepreneurial organization in 2022 after stints at The Company Lab in Chattanooga and U.S. Economic Development Administration. Holds two degrees from Tennessee Tech University.
John Crosslin and Justin Crosslin — Co-Managing Principals, Crosslin: Brothers jointly lead CPA firm that was founded more than 30 years ago by relative Dell Crosslin. Team with Bryan White as co-managing principals for Crosslin Technologies, the information technology and managed services arm of the company.
Aaron Dorn Chairman — President and CEO, Studio Bank: Co-founded bank in 2018 after stints with Avenue. Opened offices in Clarksville and Williamson County for the company with assets near $1 billion. Company added local banking industry veterans Rita Mitchell and Steve Uebelhor in senior leadership roles in August 2024.
L.A. Galyon IV — Managing Director and Partner, Brentwood Capital Advisors: Oversaw move of 1999-founded investment bank from Williamson County to Midtown.
Chase Gilbert — CEO, Built Technologies: Co-founded construction loan software management company that achieved “unicorn” status in 2021. Has laid off some workers and hired a CFO with experience in taking companies public.
Tony Gregory — Chairman, President and CEO, Volunteer State Bank: Founded Volunteer State Bank in 2021. Oversaw 2023 merger with Fourth Capital, owned by investor Gaylon Lawrence Jr.
Parker Griffith — Southeast Market Director, Robert W. Baird Private Wealth Management: Nearly 30 years of experience at Morgan Stanley and, since 2012, Baird. Opened Franklin branch in late 2024.
Robyn Hari — Nashville Managing Principal, Diversified Trust: Veteran financial planner has, since 2016, been local managing principal for regional firm.
Chris Hight — Chief Manager, KraftCPAs: Was named head of company in November 2024, having joined the accounting and advisory firm in 2004. Replaced Vic Alexander.
Chris Holmes — President and CEO, FB Financial: Chief leader at FirstBank parent for past decade. Bank is naming sponsor of Vanderbilt football stadium. Board recently added former HCA chief Milton Johnson.
Denise Horvath — Market Director for Tennessee and Alabama, JPMorgan Chase: Previously in Atlanta and Indianapolis. Oversees regional retail growth for country’s largest bank.
Matt Jernigan — President and CEO, Ascend Federal Credit Union: Last year assumed leadership role from longtime head Caren Gabriel. Tullahoma-based credit union has expanded within region during recent years.
Mike Johnson — Regional President and Head of Corporate Banking, PNC Bank Tennessee: Has led Pittsburgh-based bank’s local operations, including retail expansion, since 2018. Previously spent 17 years with Wells Fargo.
Kelley Kee — Tennessee President, United Community Bank: Brought on last year to run Tennessee operations for bank that in 2022 acquired Reliant. Previously an EVP at Regions, at which he worked for 25 years. Succeeded John Wilson in role.
Kevin Lavender — Executive Vice President and Head of Commercial Banking, Fifth Third Bancorp: Former state banking official joined Fifth Third in 2005. Part of group that acquired and moved Nashville City Club.
Gaylon Lawrence Jr. — Owner, F&M Bank, Volunteer State Bank: Has ownership in various local financial institutions. In 2023, oversaw merger of his Fourth Capital and Volunteer State banks.
Charlie Martin — Founder and Chairman, Martin Ventures: Former HCA, HealthTrust and Vanguard Health exec serves as chair of technology and health care investment firm focused on technology that he founded in 2009.
John McDearman — CEO, Wilson Bank & Trust: Leads suburban-based bank with assistance from President John Foster. Company offers 31 locations, including one in Chattanooga.
Chuck McDowell — Founder and CEO, Wesley Financial Group: Runs company that has relieved more than $525 million collectively of timeshare mortgage debt, helping approximately 40,000 clients cancel their timeshare. MTSU graduate started career in timeshare sales.
Jeff McGruder II — Chief Relationship Officer, Citizens Savings Bank & Trust: In role since 2020. Helps lead Black-owned bank after stints at Pinnacle, BB&T and Regions. Holds an MBA degree from Trevecca.
Rob McNeilly — Middle Tennessee President, Bank of Tennessee: Former SunTrust and Synovus official was tapped in 2023 to lead regional operations for Kingsport-based lender. Brings more than 40 years of industry experience.
Jim Meade — CEO and Managing Shareholder, LBMC: Has more than 25 years of accounting and auditing experience with LBMC. Serves on board of directors for Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and on advisory board for Nashville Capital Network. Member of Leadership Nashville. Culture-forward leader recently hired Anna Maddox as chief people officer.
Jennie Menzie — CEO and President, Cumberland Trust: Succeeded Pepe Presley in leadership at company. Attorney who has held several Cumberland Trust positions since 2012.
Tyson Moore — Market President, Bank of America: Runs Nashville-area operations for Bank of America. Also serves as market president for Merrill Lynch.
Tom O’Connor — Market Executive, Synovus Bank: Banking veteran joined Synovus to grow the robust commercial industry in Middle Tennessee.
Jim Regnier — Managing Partner, Forvis Mazars: Oversees national tax specialty services unit for Top 10 accounting firm. Relocated to Nashville 12 years ago to assist BKD (later Forvis) in establishing a local office.
Jim Rieniets — President and CEO, INSBANK: Chairs Tennessee Bankers Association. Joined bank upon its inception two-plus decades ago.
Jim Schmitz — Nashville Market Leader, Elliott Davis: Joined accounting and advisory firm in 2019 after leading Nashville operations for Regions Bank.
Tim Stadthaus — CEO, Asurion: Was promoted in late 2023 to top job at tech insurance and repair company, succeeding Tony Detter. Longtime employee was previously president of growth and chief revenue officer.
Tom Stumb — Chairman and CEO, Truxton Trust: Has served as member of Truxton’s board since firm’s inception in 2004. Worked as company president from its inception until 2016, when he became board chairman. One of company’s 20 founding organizers. Works closely with Truxton President Derrick Jones.
Clif Tant — Nashville Market President, Old National Bank: Joined Indiana institution shortly before its acquisition of CapStar was made public in 2023. Worked at CapStar upon its founding in 2008 and later held SVP role at ServisFirst.
Josh Trusley — Office Managing Partner, Ernst & Young: Promoted in 2023 to local leadership role at powerful accounting firm. Has worked at company for 20-plus years and serves as Adventure Science Center board chair.
Terry Turner — President and CEO, Pinnacle Financial Partners: Original and only leader for largest Nashville-based bank. Teams with Pinnacle Chairman Rob McCabe to oversee most significant (based on assets and revenues) Nashville-based bank.
Bradford Vieira — Regional President and CEO, ServisFirst Bank Nashville: Belmont grad led Alabama bank’s expansion into Tennessee in 2013. In 2021, company moved operations to Midtown’s Broadwest.
Cameron Wells — Nashville Market President, Truist: Has served in role roughly eight years and has been with company for about 22 years. Holds degree from N.C. State University.
John West — Audit and Assurance Managing Partner, Deloitte: Firm veteran oversees Middle Tennessee team, a role the audit and assurance practice leader has held since 2020. Grad-uate of MTSU.
Ryan McLaughlin — Wood Market Executive, UBS: Leads company’s wealth management businesses in Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama and Mississippi. Previously oversaw UBS office in Greenville, S.C. and held various roles for company New York City area. Has been with UBS since 2009.
Carol Yochem — President, Central Region, First Horizon Bank: Leads Middle Tennessee operations for bank. A former Post Most Powerful Women honoree.
