Financial Services >> CEO Interviews >> February 12, 2016
Richard E. Herrington, a veteran Williamson County banker with 40 years of banking experience, serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Franklin Synergy Bank and its parent company Franklin Financial Network, Inc. He began his Tennessee banking career with First American Bank, then later served as a bank consultant with Price Waterhouse. In addition, he established a community bank data processing and consulting firm. In 1989, Mr. Herrington co-founded Franklin Financial Corporation — Franklin National Bank — where he served as President and CEO until 2002. Recruited by the board of Civitas Bank Group, then Cumberland Bancorp, Mr. Herrington became the President and CEO of the holding company, charged with engineering a turnaround of the troubled banking organization. In accomplishing this, he assembled a five-member executive management team that executed a successful four-year remediation plan. Mr. Herrington holds a B.A. in economics from Newberry College and a M.A. in economics from Florida State University. He serves on the board of directors of Williamson County Medical Foundation and the board of directors of Williamson, Inc., the Williamson County Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he serves on the board of directors of Leadership Franklin. He is a former board member of Williamson County Library Foundation, Battle Ground Academy and Education First Foundation, a public education foundation supporting Williamson County and Franklin Special School District school systems. Profile
TWST: Please give our readers some historical background on Franklin Financial and Franklin Synergy Bank. When and how did you get started?
Mr. Herrington: We