The banking skyline in Chattanooga will get a familiar face at its helm. First Horizon Bank has named Lebron Womack as Chattanooga Market President as the institution commemorates five decades in the city. The move underscores the bank’s focus on local leadership and sustained community engagement.
Local roots, decades of commercial experience
Womack is a native of Chattanooga and an alum of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He brings more than 30 years in the banking industry and over 15 years with First Horizon to the post. Within the bank, he most recently served as Senior Vice President and Commercial Relationship Manager, working with mid-market and corporate clients on growth strategies, acquisitions, capital projects and strategic financings.
- Role: Chattanooga Market President, First Horizon Bank
- Experience: 30+ years in banking; 15+ years with First Horizon
- Background: Senior VP, Commercial Relationship Manager; UTC graduate; board member, Tennessee River Gorge Trust
What this means for Chattanooga
First Horizon is the largest bank in Chattanooga, and Womack’s promotion comes as the bank marks 50 years in the market. Expect a sustained emphasis on relationship banking and local initiatives: the announcement says Womack will focus on strengthening client ties, supporting associates and expanding the bank’s community presence.
“I am honored to lead our amazing team of bankers and financial professionals in Chattanooga – they are the reason First Horizon continues to be the leading bank in this market,” Womack said in the announcement.
Regional leaders framed the choice as strategic. Richard Shaffer, First Horizon’s East Regional President, praised Womack’s ability to translate understanding into action and pointed to his track record working with Chattanooga businesses.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tenure in local market | First Horizon: 15+ years; Bank industry: 30+ years |
| Community ties | UTC graduate; Board member, Tennessee River Gorge Trust |
| Focus areas | Client relationships, associate support, community expansion |
Context and consequences
For Chattanooga businesses, a market president with deep local experience can mean continuity in credit relationships and familiarity with regional economic patterns — from manufacturing and logistics to growing tech and service sectors. For bank employees, internal leadership drawn from the community can translate to clearer career pathways and a reinforced local culture.
As First Horizon celebrates a half-century in Chattanooga, the appointment of a native leader signals an investment in staying close to the city’s commercial and civic life. Womack’s role on the Tennessee River Gorge Trust board also highlights the continuing overlap between financial institutions and regional stewardship efforts, a relationship that often shapes philanthropic and development priorities in the area.
Community stakeholders will be watching how Womack’s priorities translate into lending patterns, local hiring and partnership initiatives in the months ahead.
