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NASHVILLE & PORTLAND, Tenn. – September 25, 2023 – Volunteer State Bank welcomes Mark Ryman and David Baker to its leadership team. These additions serve to further support and strengthen the bank’s ongoing growth strategies and long-term commitment to serve its associates, customers and communities as a top employer and community bank of choice in Middle Tennessee. 

“I am pleased to welcome Mark and David to the leadership team at VSB,” stated Tony Gregory, chairman, president and CEO of Volunteer State Bank. “Both possess a proven history of successfully piloting enhanced processes and growth strategies, while navigating the diverse economic landscapes within the industry. The knowledge and value they bring to the team is instrumental to our continued growth and success.” 

Ryman is named senior vice president, chief lending officer for Volunteer State Bank. His 37-year banking career has been devoted to the Nashville area, and he brings his demonstrated, extensive leadership proficiencies, commercial banking and commercial lending expertise to the team. In his role, Ryman will manage the bank’s loan portfolio, preserve and grow long-standing profitability and mitigate risk. Ryman most recently served as the commercial banking executive for Tennessee at United Community Bank, formerly Reliant Bank, where he spent 18 years. During his tenure, he served in several executive roles including chief lending officer, managing sales and service lending practices and the loan processing division for the $3 billion bank, while working closely with the chief credit officer on loan approvals, credit policy, compliance, and loan reviews. Ryman holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics from Tennessee Tech University and is a graduate of the Southeastern School of Commercial Banking at Vanderbilt University, Executive Banking School at the University of Wisconsin, as well as the Leadership Experience and Leadership Academy at Belmont University. He is also a member of the Tennessee Bankers Association’s senior lenders and chief credit officer forum.  

Baker serves as senior vice president, chief information security officer for Volunteer State Bank and holds two decades of skill and expertise in information security, information technology and cybersecurity risk management in the financial services sector. In his role, Baker directs tactics and safeguards for information and cybersecurity risks for the bank and leads initiatives to align compliance with relevant regulatory guidance and legal requirements. Additionally, Baker oversees internal security awareness training, muti-layered security defense strategies and incident response team preparedness. He holds globally recognized certifications including, certified information systems security professional (CISSP) and certified information systems auditor (CISA). Baker most recently served as chief information security officer for Thread Bank, and prior served as chief information security officer for Reliant Bank. A respected leader in the field, Baker is the incoming chairman of the planning committee for Tennessee Banker Association’s 2024 Tech Summit and serves on the CISO advisory board for InfoSec Nashville. 

About Volunteer State Bank 
Volunteer State Bank is a privately owned, Tennessee-based community bank with over $1 billion in assets. Founded in 1977, Volunteer State Bank operates 13 full-service branches throughout Middle Tennessee in Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson and Wilson counties. Volunteer State Bank offers a variety of banking products and services that deliver an enhanced banking experience, for consumers and businesses, throughout each stage of the financial journey. For additional information on products, locations, and hours of operation, please visit www.volstatebank.com.