To celebrate the service of longstanding SouthEast Bank lenders Randy Wells, Linda White, Steve Forgey and DeWayne Morrow, the bank has pledged four gifts of $20,000 to community organizations across Middle and East Tennessee that align with the bank’s commitment to further education, wellness and workforce development.
Randy Wells, senior vice president and Dayton-area loan officer with 22 years of service, chose to direct the $20,000 donation to the Bryan Opportunity Scholarship Program, which provides full tuition assistance to Bryan College students who demonstrate significant financial need.
“Over the years, I’ve seen students graduate from Bryan and become community leaders in Dayton and Rhea County,” Wells said. “I have personally been a supporter of the opportunity program for several years and feel it’s important to give back to the community in which we live, work and serve.”
Senior Vice President Linda White has worked for SouthEast Bank for 17 years as a commercial lender based in Ooltewah. ATS The Bridge, an organization raising awareness and providing resources related to substance abuse for adolescents in the Cleveland area, was White’s choice of donation recipient.
“What ATS The Bridge does matters,” White said. “I’ve watched my grandson grow in confidence and purpose as an ambassador for this organization, empowered to take a stand and live a drug-free life. That’s why this mission is personal to me and why I’m proud to support it.”
Steve Forgey, city president in Cookeville and a trusted local lender for 15 years, identified Mustard Seed Ranch as the recipient of SouthEast Bank’s donation in his honor.
“Mustard Seed Ranch is a wonderful ministry in our community that serves children who have experienced significant trauma, crisis or instability,” Forgey said. “They provide a caring home environment with dedicated house parents and there is no charge to any family. I could not be more pleased that SouthEast Bank has allowed me to focus this gift on the needs at Mustard Seed Ranch.”
DeWayne Morrow directed the $20,000 donation to the Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation (BCPEF) in honor of his retirement after 10 years as Cleveland city president for SouthEast Bank. BPCEF fills gaps in public funding for 27 schools and 16,000 students with private donations, providing funds for supplemental academic programs and targeted professional development not covered in regular school budgets.
“The older I get, the more I appreciate the education our local school systems provided to me and my family,” Morrow said. “I am proud knowing that this donation will be used to help support the teachers and students in our Bradley County and Cleveland City schools.”
SouthEast Bank’s $80,000 total donation to Bryan Opportunity Scholarship Program, ATS The Bridge, Mustard Seed Ranch and Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation is part of its comprehensive commitment to reinvest into the communities it serves.
“We hope the impact of these gifts continues to pay dividends into the quality of life of our neighbors,” said Jimmy Dalton, community reinvestment officer for SouthEast Bank. “We are proud to salute the hard work and dedication of these four team members, all of whom have been invaluable to our banking community, and wish them well in retirement.”
