Pinnacle Invests in Scholarship for Educator Leadership Training

Pinnacle Financial Partners continues to deepen its partnerships with the Chattanooga community through support of education causes. The firm announced today that it is sponsoring a scholarship for Marthel Young, principal of East Brainerd Elementary School, to take part in the Leadership Chattanooga program.

“Chattanooga’s leadership program is one of the most-respected in the state,” said Craig Holley, Pinnacle’s Chattanooga chairman. “As this group gains insight into the challenges our region faces and the opportunities to make a difference, it is critical that educators have a seat at the table. Pinnacle’s scholarship will provide Marthel the opportunity to strengthen her leadership skills so she may serve our community.”

Pinnacle is investing $2,500 in the Leadership Chattanooga program to cover the fees for Young to participate. This is the second year the firm has sponsored an educator for the program.

Young is an accomplished education professional with more than 30 years of experience. She holds a doctorate in Leadership and Professional Practices and was named the 2018 Hamilton County Principal of the Year. She was chosen for the 2018-19 class of Leadership Chattanooga according to the same rigorous application and review process as every other candidate.

“I have a wealth of experience to share about public education and the impact it can have on the progression of Chattanooga,” Young said. “It is my goal to bring that expertise to Leadership Chattanooga to inspire and lead our city to embrace diversity and celebrate our gifts and talents regardless of our differences.”

Leadership Chattanooga is an initiative from the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce. Established in 1984, it is the region’s premier leadership development program and boasts almost 1,300 alumni. The program uses the exploration of community issues to develop leadership skills that prepare graduates to succeed in prominent business, cultural and political roles. The Leadership Chattanooga program year kicks off in August with an orientation and two-day retreat, with monthly sessions beginning in September. The program culminates with a graduation in May 2019.

“We pride ourselves on the diversity of our Leadership Chattanooga cohorts, but it’s only complete if the education sector of our community is represented,” said Diane Parks, Director of Leadership and Community Development at the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce. “Educators enrich their class with unique perspective on the issues we examine through our community-based curriculum, and we appreciate Pinnacle for their support in helping local education professionals have the Leadership Chattanooga experience.”

Pinnacle financial advisor John Douglas is a 2018 Leadership Chattanooga graduate.

Pinnacle Financial Partners provides a full range of banking, investment, trust, mortgage and insurance products and services designed for businesses and their owners and individuals interested in a comprehensive relationship with their financial institution. The firm earned a place on FORTUNE’s 2017 and 2018 lists of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in the U.S., and American Banker recognized Pinnacle as the sixth-best bank to work for in 2017.

Pinnacle began serving Chattanooga in 2015 when it acquired CapitalMark Bank & Trust, a community institution with an excellent record of service and growth. Pinnacle continues that tradition: the firm is the fourth-largest bank in Chattanooga in terms of deposits and is also one of the fastest growing.

The firm began operations in a single location in downtown Nashville, TN in October 2000 and has since grown to approximately $24.0 billion in assets as of June 30, 2018. As the second-largest bank holding company headquartered in Tennessee, Pinnacle operates in 11 primarily urban markets in Tennessee, the Carolinas and Virginia.

Additional information concerning Pinnacle, which is included in the NASDAQ Financial-100 Index, can be accessed at www.pnfp.com.