COLUMBIA, TN, October 30, 2017—First Farmers & Merchants Bank has honored T. Randy and Leesa Stevens with the naming of the Randy & Leesa Stevens Events Center in its Northside Office at 901 Nashville Highway in Columbia.
With a career spanning 44 years at First Farmers, Mr. Stevens presently serves as chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer. He and Mrs. Stevens have been uniquely dedicated to the bank and communities it serves, said First Farmers’ President Brian Williams on behalf of the Board and management.
Under Stevens’ leadership, First Farmers has grown to be a regional financial services company with 22 offices across Middle Tennessee. But the bank has stayed true to its community roots, Williams noted.
“If you know Randy and Leesa Stevens, then you know First Farmers. For more than four decades they have shared their values, energy, talents and commitment with the entire First Farmers family–both within and beyond our walls,” Williams said. “This is a fitting tribute to their dedication.”
The newly-named center is highly utilized by First Farmers for major events including its annual shareholders meeting as well as many other events hosted by the bank. The venue, with sophisticated audio visual capabilities, lighting and stage, can seat approximately 160 people.
A Columbia, Tennessee native, Stevens joined First Farmers following his graduation from Middle Tennessee State University in 1973. In 2002, Stevens was named Chief Executive Officer. As CEO, he is responsible for providing strategic leadership and vision and ensuring that the bank is hiring and retaining top talent. He became Chairman of the board in 2005 of both First Farmers and its parent corporation.
“Randy’s service to the bank and the community mirrors the advice of his mentor First Farmers’ Senior Chairman Virgil H. Moore, Jr., who advocated faith, family and the bank as the appropriate order of priorities in service to the bank and the community,” said Williams.
Since their marriage in 1977, Leesa Stevens has been a steady partner to Randy in every aspect of his career and community involvement. Alongside Randy, Leesa has been a tremendous ambassador for First Farmers, and her life of giving back to the community serves as an example to all.
