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CedarStone Bank President, CEO & Chairman of the Cumberland Board of Trust, Bob McDonald with Dr. Paul Stumb.

Each month CedarStone Bank “simply salutes” an influential leader in Wilson County. This month the bank is proud to recognize Dr. Paul Stumb, President of Cumberland University.

Dr. Stumb is no stranger to Middle Tennessee and Lebanon in particular. He began his tenure at the University in 2003 as an Adjunct Professor and then later served as Dean of the Labry School, a position he has held continuously until being named President of the University in August of 2015.

Dr. Stumb has hit the ground running as President, relying on his past business experience and people skills in making a smooth and seamless transition into his new role.

A Nashville native, Dr. Stumb is a graduate of the Navy War College Strategy and Policy Course, and holds a BS from Auburn University, an MS from the University of Tennessee, a Master’s in Education from Cumberland and a PhD from the University of Tennessee.  Prior to joining Cumberland, Dr. Stumb enjoyed a successful career in the business sector, serving as Director of Marketing and Business Development and later as General Manager of American Corrugated, in the Containerboard & Packaging Division of the Georgia-Pacific Corporation, and Vice President for Operations/Executive Committee Member and Owner of One Coast Network, Inc., a gift and home decor marketing firm in Atlanta.

He and his wife, Christy, reside in Lebanon, just a block from the campus. They have four children and two grandchildren.

Cumberland University is a civic jewel for Lebanon and Wilson County. Founded in 1842, Cumberland offers a variety of educational, athletic and social experiences to enhance the learning opportunities of the current student body. The University serves nearly 1,500 students. Its exceptional academic program is steeped in the liberal arts and its athletic teams regularly compete for conference and national championships.

Cumberland’s alumni includes former U.S. Secretary of State, Cordell Hull, who also was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1945; James Lafayette Bomar, president of Rotary International; Thomas P. Gore, United States senator; more than 80 congressmen, including Albert Gore, Sr.; two justices of the U.S. Supreme Court, Howell Edmunds Jackson and Horace Harmon Lurton; 13 governors, including Frank G. Clement; three ambassadors, including Edward Albright, U.S. Ambassador to Finland; scores of local, state and federal judges, including Charles Dickson Clark; and 50 college/university professors, including the “Father of Political Science,” John Burgess.

While Cumberland has a distinguished past, the University is focused on the future, and on educating our next generation of leaders.

CedarStone Bank is proud of Cumberland University and the school’s leadership. We salute Dr. Paul Stumb and his efforts to lead Cumberland for years to come!

CedarStone Bank executive has been helping Middle Tennessee customers since 1950

Middle Tennessee has experienced incredible economic growth over the past five years. Just imagine how much it’s grown over the past 65 years.

One man – and perhaps only one man -- can tell you. William “Willie” McDonald is celebrating his 65th consecutive year in the Middle Tennessee banking industry, the last 11 of those years as Business Development Officer for CedarStone Bank, the bank founded by his son, Bob.

“It’s an honor to continue to work alongside my father,” Bob McDonald said. “Willie is a banking legend in this state. And the relationships he has cultivated and nurtured over the past 65 years have helped CedarStone grow into a bank that our customers know and trust.”

Pictured Above - Robert L. McDonald, Jr., Willie McDonald and Bob McDonald

Willie McDonald launched his banking career in Nashville in 1950 with Third National Bank, which later became SunTrust. He worked for Third National and SunTrust for 53 years, then had a brief stint at Regions Bank before coming to CedarStone when the bank opened its doors in 2004.

“I watched Third National grow in the 1950s so it’s been exciting with CedarStone to again be part of something at the very start and watch it grow,” McDonald said.

Last year McDonald was selected by the Tennessee Bankers Association for its Leadership in Banking Excellence Award. The award, which recognizes exceptional bankers throughout the state’s history, includes a permanent display in the TBA headquarters building. McDonald has twice been named the Donelson-Hermitage Chamber of Commerce Business Man of the Year and in 2010, he received a proclamation from the Tennessee House of Representatives as the Honorary “Mayor of Donelson.”

The accolades are nice but what keeps McDonald coming back to his office every morning is the opportunity to help people and foster relationships that are long lasting.

“I always open a conversation by asking ‘Who’s your banker?’” McDonald said. “And I would say 80 percent of the people I ask tell me they don’t have a personal contact at their bank.

“So developing relationships is the key. Oftentimes our customers need somebody to listen to them and give counsel or advice. We not only talk about finances but we talk about life. We can be a sounding board that they know and trust.”

McDonald’s grandson, Robert L. McDonald, Jr., serves as CedarStone’s Relationship Manager in its Donelson office, giving the family three generations of Middle Tennessee bankers.

“From my grandfather I learned the value of customer service and building long-lasting relationships,” Robert McDonald said. “It’s an honor to follow in his footsteps -- and my father’s footsteps -- and both of them inspire me to work harder every day.”

Willie McDonald has not only helped hundreds of businesses with their financial needs but also mentored dozens of bankers over the years, including CedarStone Executive Vice President Hank Stuart, whose first job in banking was under McDonald at Third National.

“I am grateful for all that he has taught me,” Stuart said. “He continues to outwork us all and like I have always said, ‘Willie works by walking around.’”

Indeed, customers can still find McDonald walking around, whether it’s in the bank lobby, in customers’ offices or at community gatherings around the area. And McDonald is thrilled to take part in CedarStone’s latest venture, a new, state-of-the-art branch location in Donelson.

“It’s still exciting to watch a new branch open its doors for its customers,” he said. “Banking has changed in a lot of ways in 65 years but, in some ways, it hasn’t. You have to keep up with technology or it’s going to go off and leave you. But that doesn’t mean you lose the personal relationship that so many of your customers are accustomed to.

“I’m proud to be a banker. And I’m proud to call Middle Tennessee my home.”

McDonald, who was born in Monterey, moved to Nashville in 1938. He and his wife, Helen, have been married 62 years and have two sons (Bob and Bill), five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

CedarStone is opening its new Donelson branch! Our new location is:

2800 Lebanon Pike
Nashville, TN 37214
(at the intersection of Lebanon Pike and Donelson Pike)

Our last day at the current branch (2900 Donelson Pike) will be Friday, August 7. The branch will be closed on Saturday, August 8, and then we will be open for business at the new branch on Monday, August 10.

The new hours for the branch will be:

• Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
• Friday: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Saturday: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

The Donelson branch will have multiple drive-thru lanes featuring the new Smart ATM with these great capabilities:

• Make Deposits Anytime
• Save time – no filling out deposit slips
• Environmentally friendly – avoids wasting paper
• Cash deposits available immediately*
• Get cash up to the amount available to you at the ATM

Here’s how to make a deposit:

• Insert your ATM card and use your PIN
• Verify the deposit on the screen
• Finalize the transaction

This branch will also feature an enclosed night drop.

For more information on our new Donelson branch please call 615-874-1444.

*1 - Availability of funds governed by account agreement. 
2 - Check cashing services may not be available for some checks. 
3 - Maximum amount that you may receive for a check cashed at a CedarStoneSmart ATM is determined by various factors, including any cash limits imposed by the ATM or your card, and the amount and types of currency in the ATM at the time of transaction.

Congrats to Kali Meyer Holder, 7th grade math teacher at Walter J. Baird Middle School for being selected as the 2014-15 Wilson County Teacher of the Year. CedarStone Bank employees gathered to congratulate her soon after the award presentation Friday night at Cumberland University.

Do you need an internship? Do you want to potentially find your perfect internship in five minutes or less AND not have to move away from home? Then you MUST attend the upcoming Collegiate Connections Speed Networking Internship Event held at Cumberland University's Baird Chapel on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 hosted by the Leadership Wilson Class of 2015 and sponsored by Cumberland University.

SPACE IS LIMITED and you MUST RSVP (You Must RSVP to Register) by Monday, April 13th!

How It Works

You will speed network with a variety of Wilson County businesses who are currently seeking a summer or fall intern. There will be for-profit businesses seeking paid internships and some non-profits offering unpaid internships.

There will be additional traditional networking time before and after the "main event." Lunch will be generously provided for free by Cumberland University, and the event is free of charge for both college students and business participants.

We will send you a “Know Before You Go” prior to the event to help you prepare and put your best foot forward. In the mean time, here is the tentative event timeline:

12:00 – 12:30 – Registration, Lunch, Casual Networking

12:30 – 1:30 – Speed Networking Event

1:30 – 2:00 – Additional Networking Opportunity (For further elbow rubbing with your ideal employers!)

Eligibility

You are eligible if you attend college in Wilson County or are a Wilson County resident currently enrolled in any college or university (no matter the location) for your sophomore, junior or senior year.

Register Now

Register today to reserve your spot. You do not want to miss out on this amazing and exclusive access to Wilson County's top internship providers! Don't forget the deadline is Monday, April 13th and RSVPs are REQUIRED! Get an internship FAST!

Questions? Contact Melynda Bounds ​at ​mbounds@cedarstonebank.com or Amber Hurdle at amber@amberhurdle.com.

Pictured above with Justin is Donelson Branch Manager Lisa Brown and Relationship Manager Robert McDonald.

Recently Justin Duncan, senior at McGavock High School completed over 40 hours with CedarStone Bank in the Capstone Experience program. Justin has been involved in the program at the Donelson Branch since October 2014. A Capstone experience is a project that allows students to learn about themselves by moving an idea or dream toward a topic of interest, specialization, community need, or career choice.

The entire Donelson Branch congratulated McGavock senior Justin Duncan recently on his completion of the Capstone Experience program at CedarStone Bank. Pictured from left to right is Willie McDonald, Naaman Stillwell, Marilyn Kaczmarski, Kati Barbeau, Justin Duncan, Lisa Brown, Layla Hejazi and Robert McDonald. 

CedarStone Bank has an entry-level opening for a Teller/Social Media Coordinator in our Mt. Juliet office. This is a great opportunity for someone ready to learn banking and to utilize your social media skills in a professional setting. If interested, please contact Beth Schulze, Mt. Juliet Branch Manager.

Outgoing chamber chair, John Bryan of CedarStone Bank, Sue Vanatta, retiring chamber president and CEO, and incoming president and CEO Melanie Minter. Photo courtesy of the Wilson Post.

On Thursday, February 6, the Lebanon/Wilson County Chamber of Commerce held its annual awards banquet at Lebanon's Capitol Theater. Over 320 people attended the sold-out event to recognize Sue Vanatta as she retired from the chamber as president and CEO after 23 years of service.

The new president and CEO, Melanie Minter was introduced at the event, and the new board of directors and board chairman John Bradshaw were installed.

John Bryan, 2014 Ambassador of the Year Linda Spencer, Melanie Minter. Photo courtesy of the Wilson Post.

Outgoing chairman of the board, CedarStone vice president John Bryan, reflected on his term of office and expressed his gratitude for the vision and hard work of the chamber’s leadership.

Address by John Bryan

Ladies and gentlemen, 2014 has flown by. We have experienced an action-packed year. We celebrated our 90th birthday as a chamber, we said goodbye to a dear friend and leader for 23 years in Sue Vanatta as she retired on December 31st, and we will said hello and welcome to our new President for 2015 and beyond.

In setting our goals this past year, I know we set the bar high. Many of our goals we accomplished, some we fell short. But for the most part, we succeeded in the task at hand. Your chamber remains strong and vibrant in the communities we serve. And I know, with the leadership we have in place for this year and years to come, your Lebanon/Wilson County Chamber will continue to create commerce, provide services that help equip its membership, and embrace our membership with engaging events and informative meetings.

Tonight is a night of celebration. We plan this event each year to celebrate with our membership. Ladies and gentlemen, everything good that happens in our community, your chamber has its hands right in the middle of it.

Think about it: ground-breakings, ribbon cuttings, educational events, industry appreciation, recruitment of businesses and industry, tourism and special events – anything that we celebrate, Christmas, Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day…your chamber is in the middle of it.
Tonight we will recognize many local businesses and some individuals that have stood out among the crowds. These awards are given to very deserving and honorable recipients and the committees that choose these winners take their job very seriously. I congratulate you all and, with that, let us begin the 2014 Cedar Tree Award presentation.

Before I introduce my friend, John Bradshaw, and pass the gavel for 2015, I want to take this time to thank my wife of 26 years for putting up with me. Like I said earlier in my remarks, this year was busy. It was actually an emotional roller coaster for me. In the midst of serving as your Chairman, Kim and I worked on getting our home prepared for my daughter’s wedding. We pulled that event off in June and from that point on, things seemed to get a little bit easier. I would also like to thank my parents, T.A. and Jean Bryan, for their support. Every time I turned around at a ribbon cutting or business-after-hours, T.A. and Jean were there. Thanks for always being there.

Thanks to my employer, Bob McDonald and CedarStone Bank and my co-workers for allowing me to be away each and every week at some sort of chamber function, meeting, or ribbon cutting. Melynda Bounds, our Lebanon office manager, has covered for me too many times to mention and I appreciate you for your friendship, patience and dedication.

John Bryan also recognized the chamber’s board members and those who served in leadership roles:

Economic Development: Jud Nave
Government Relations: Phil Carter
Sports Council: Paul Jewell
Membership: Melanie Minter
Tourism: Debbie Stewart
Education: Scott Jasper
Treasurer: Brenda Burkett

CedarStone Bank president and CEO Bob McDonald, Paul Bauman Award of Excellence winner, flanked by CedarStone's John Sloan and former chamber chairman Carolyn Christoffersen.

On January 22, CedarStone Bank's John Sloan, now the active Chairman of the Mt Juliet Chamber of Commerce, and Carolyn Christoffersen, the former Chairman of the Chamber, announced the Chamber Choice Award winners at Covey Rise. Among them was CedarStone president and CEO Bob McDonald, who was honored with the Paul Bauman Award of Excellence. The award is given annually to a business person who, through his or her community and civic efforts, has made our community a better place to live and work. The award is named after Paul Bauman, an influential businessman who was instrumental the early success of the Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce.

Paul Bauman
Even though Paul passed way in 1996, he will always be remembered as one of Mt Juliet’s most respected and influential businessmen. Paul was a 1959 graduate of The Citadel (where he rose to Lt. Colonel), was President of John Deal Companies, a member of the Board of Trust at Cumberland University, a founding member of the Mt Juliet Breakfast Rotary Club, and was active with Camp Easter Seals and the United Way. He lived his life with a belief in giving back. His favorite quote was “to whom much is given, much is required.” In 1988, John Deal Companies was awarded the United Way Advocate Award, given to a company which best represents the United Way spirit of giving. Paul demanded little attention for his good deeds, preferring to serve quietly, out of the spotlight. He was a well-respected pillar of the community and is still remembered today for his noble character, strong ethics, dedication, and his passion for quietly serving others.

Given annually to a deserving individual, the Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce Paul Bauman Award of Excellence is the highest honor the Chamber can bestow upon on a business leader in our community. As this year’s recipient, CedarStone Bank founder and president, Bob McDonald continues to exemplify those important and time-tested business principles for which this award is named. As a respected member of our business community, Bob also quietly serves his community by sharing his time, talents, and treasures. Bob also encourages everyone on the CedarStone Bank team to do likewise.

Congratulations to Bob; you have the community's gratitude for you have done and continue to do each day to make our community such a special to live, work, shop, play, and pray.

• Providence did not exist
• My hair was brown
• The “worst economy since the Great Depression” was still two years away
• My son David was not quite one year old
• We had no Starbucks in Mt. Juliet
• I was about 30 days away from going to work at CedarStone Bank
• The new high school had not yet opened
• The font size on my speech was a lot smaller
• The Music City Star was not yet operational
• The Titans had a good football team
• The City of Mt. Juliet consisted of roughly 15,000 residents
• Many of you were not here

Each one of those folks was attracted to Mt. Juliet because of the work done by those of you who didn’t stand up…those who laid the groundwork for the explosive growth we are now experiencing. The explosive growth that occurred, by the way, during the worst economy since the Great Depression. And it’s the contributions of everyone in this room that make Mt. Juliet what it is…a friendly, compassionate, progressive city of over 25,000 people.  

• By advocating for the businesses – large and small – who call Mt. Juliet home.
• By connecting Chamber members and citizens with the resources they need to be successful.
• By promoting Chamber members in the community.
• And by supporting Chamber members with the information they need to start, grow, and operate their businesses.

Mt. Juliet Branch Manager Beth Schultze and Girl Scout Troup 1200

Girl Scout Troop 1200 recently visited CedarStone's Mt. Juliet branch to learn about money and banking. The girls learned how to write up a deposit slip, make a deposit, and get a receipt. They got to see behind teller row, where we showed them how money is stored securely, organized, and counted. Branch manager Beth Schultze talked to the girls about the importance of having a bank account. She also showed the girls how machines can detect counterfeit money mixed in with real bills.

CedarStone Bank Customer Service Representative Addison Rogers works with the scouts on banking documents.