Our Team
Get financial management from a team you can trust.
The Wealth Management & Trust team at First Farmers and Merchants Bank are proven professionals with advanced degrees in business and law. They have specialized training in financial management.
DAWN D. MOORE, Chief Wealth Management Officer
A graduate of Mississippi State University and the University of Mississippi School of Law, Dawn joined Trust Services in 2014. Her career includes practicing law and developing the President’s Leadership program at Columbia State Community College. Beyond helping clients with their trust, estate and investment accounts, she is active in the community. Dawn serves on the advisory board for Maury Regional Medical Center, is a member of the James K. Polk Association and is the past president of the Maury County Bar Association.
AMY B. VAUGHT, Senior Trust Benefits Officer, CRSP
Amy is a Certified Retirement Services Professional and holds a bachelor’s degree from Tennessee Tech University. An honors graduate of the Cannon Trust School, she began her career at First Farmers in 1985 as a trust administrator and has been a trust officer for more than 15 years. Her degree is in teaching, and she uses her gifts for teaching clients about their options for retirement planning, employee benefit plans, IRAs and investment accounts.
FRED PALMLIDEN, Senior Portfolio Manager, CFA®, CMT
A seasoned investment professional, Fred joined First Farmers in 2018 and brings with him more than two decades of industry experience spanning wealth management and investment research to asset allocation, portfolio construction and risk management. A graduate of Union University, he is a Chartered Market Technician (CMT) and a CFA® charterholder. Fred is passionate about the financial markets and continually strives to maximize returns while minimizing risks.
JOANNA MATTHEWS, Senior Trust Officer
As a native of Columbia and a graduate of Columbia Central High School, Joanna takes great pride in calling Columbia her home. With her extensive experience and education, she is an invaluable asset to the team, providing assistance to clients with their complex financial, trust, and estate planning needs. Joanna Matthews is a highly accomplished attorney with a strong background in corporate counsel. She brings invaluable expertise gained during her tenure at VF Corporation, where she provided counsel at a corporate level across multiple states. Joanna holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Tennessee Technological University, as well as a Juris Doctor degree from Tulane University.
SAM W. SHORT, Trust Officer
Sam is a native of Lawrence County with deep roots in Southern Middle Tennessee. He is a Tennessee licensed attorney who received both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Prior to joining the First Farmers team in 2022, Sam gained extensive experience as a practicing attorney in both the Tennessee State and Federal Courts, guiding clients through complex litigation in areas such as estate and trust law, civil rights and constitutional law, and general civil litigation. Sam now uses his education, experience, and expertise to understand our clients’ unique needs and goals, guiding them through the complexities of trust and estate administration, as well as the construct and management of investment portfolios tailored to their individual circumstances.
JESSE O. RAMOYA, Trust Officer
Jesse is a graduate of Milligan College and earned a law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 2021. He is a licensed attorney in the state of Tennessee. Prior to joining First Farmers, Jesse gained valuable experience in trust and estate management at Cumberland Trust. Jesse also worked as Trust Advisor within the Wealth Management Department of Regions Bank, working with clients across the nation. With a deep commitment to client service and expertise in trust and wealth management, Jesse brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his work.
CLINT M. BINKLEY, Senior Personal Trust Officer, CFA
Clint is a native of Middle Tennessee with more than 20 years of experience in wealth management, trading, and portfolio construction. Prior to joining First Farmers, Clint was a Director at Augusta Advisors, a family office investing across public and private securities. He began his career as an analyst at a boutique asset manager serving institutions and high net worth households. Clint holds a bachelors degree in Economics from Vanderbilt University and is a CFA Charterholder.
Investments made through the Wealth Management & Trust Department are not bank deposits and are not FDIC-insured, nor are they an obligation of or guaranteed by any bank or savings institution. All such investments involve risk, including the possible loss of principal invested.
NO BANK GUARANTEE | NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE
