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Freedom Bank of Southern Missouri News



We are pleased to announce the promotion of two esteemed associates, Beth Hudson and Robin Cooper, to key leadership roles within our organization. These appointments reflect our commitment to recognizing outstanding talent and ensuring continued excellence in our operations. 

Beth Hudson Named Chief Compliance Officer 

Beth Hudson, a valued member of our team for over two decades, has been promoted to Chief Compliance Officer. Beth’s dedication, deep expertise in regulatory matters, and unwavering commitment to ethical standards have made her an indispensable asset to our company. Beth will continue to oversee all compliance functions, ensuring that our organization continues to uphold the highest standards of integrity and regulatory adherence. 

Robin Cooper Promoted to Chief Credit Administration Officer

Robin Cooper, also a long-time associate, will step into the role of Chief Credit Administration Officer. Robin’s leadership, analytical acumen, and extensive experience in credit management have contributed significantly to our bank's success. As Chief Credit Administration Officer, Robin will lead our growing credit administration team, focusing on prudent credit practices and supporting the long-term growth plans of Freedom Bank of Southern Missouri. 

Both Beth and Robin have consistently demonstrated professionalism, dedication, and a strong commitment to our organizational values. Their promotions not only recognize their individual achievements but also strengthen our leadership team as we continue to pursue excellence in all aspects of local banking. Stan Kelley, Freedom Bank of Southern Missouri CEO, shares, “Beth and Robin are very deserving of these promotions. They have played prominent roles throughout the growth of Freedom Bank from being a single branch in Cassville to seven bank locations. Each of them displays superb management qualities in the departments they oversee. The Compliance and Credit Administration departments continue to expand in responsibilities and with that comes well-trained associates to carry out the daily functions as the bank continues to grow and succeed. Beth and Robin provide both departments with excellent supervision, training, and direction that empower their associates.” 

Taylor RobertsonFreedom Bank of Southern Missouri is pleased to announce a significant leadership transition to take effect January 1, 2025. Stan Kelley, who has been serving as both CEO and President, will continue his role as CEO.

The Board of Directors has selected Taylor Robertson as the new President of Freedom Bank of Southern Missouri. Taylor has been with Freedom Bank for over 10 years, serving as a lender and Community President of the Willard branch. Taylor’s extensive knowledge of the banking sector and commitment to excellence have been instrumental in the bank’s growth and success in the Willard market.

The Board of Directors has been working towards this leadership transition for several months as Freedom Bank continues to succeed. Opportunities in new markets across Southern Missouri, as well as ongoing growth in current markets, has led to this need to expand the bank’s leadership.  

In this new role, Taylor will oversee all aspects of the bank’s operations, including strategic planning, customer relations, community engagement. He will work closely with sr. management to execute unparalleled customer service and working environment for the associates of Freedom Bank.

“We are thrilled to have Taylor Robertson step into the role of President,” said Stan Kelley, current President and CEO of Freedom Bank.  “Taylor’s leadership and vision will be invaluable as we continue to expand our services and strengthen our commitment to our customers and the community.”

“I am honored to take on this new role and lead Freedom Bank into the future,” said Taylor Robertson. “I look forward to working with our talented team to continue providing outstanding service to our customers and making a positive impact in our community.  I am grateful that Stan and I will be working closely together to have a smooth transition into 2025.”

As one of the original founders, CEO and President, Stan Kelley has been an integral part of Freedom Bank for the past 25 years, leading the organization with dedication and vision. Under his leadership, the bank has achieved remarkable growth and has strengthened its commitment to providing exceptional service to its customers and the community. Stan will remain active in Freedom Bank and retain his role as CEO and ensure the culture of Freedom Bank continues.

“We are grateful for Stan Kelley’s outstanding contributions as both CEO and President,” said Mike Carr, Chairman of the Board. “This transition will allow Stan, as CEO, to focus on making bank wide decisions about policy and strategy for the long term, work closely with the Board of Directors and the shareholders, and evaluate the success of the company in reaching its goals.”

Kelly MillsIn addition, with the changes in our senior leadership, Kelly Mills, current Sr. Vice President and Senior Lender, has been selected as President of the Cassville Branch. Kelly is a familiar face to our Freedom Bank customers and a highly involved community member. Under Kelly’s leadership, our flagship location will continue to be a staple in Barry County.

Stan Kelley stated, “Kelly is recognized by both customers and Cassville associates as having dedication, commitment, and vast experience in all areas of lending and who has served customers well over the last 18 years. He knows a myriad of Freedom Bank customers and will continue to provide exemplary service to grow our Cassville bank.”

Freedom Bank of Southern Missouri has been serving our communities for 25 years, offering a wide range of financial services, including personal and business banking, and a variety of loans in seven locations in Southwest Missouri. The bank is committed to supporting the local communities and helping customers achieve their financial goals.


For more information, please contact:

Freedom Bank of Southern Missouri

Phone: (417) 742-1776

Email: [whitneyb@freedombank.com]

Aaron AllenFreedom Bank is excited to welcome community banking veteran, Aaron Allen, to our Freedom Bank Lending Team!

Aaron comes to us with a decade of lending experience in the community banking setting as a former Commercial Lending Officer. A Republic High School and Missouri State Graduate, Aaron has created a broad network in the Southern Missouri area. He currently lives in Republic with his daughter, Layla, and is an avid hunter and fishermen outside of the office. Aaron is well versed in agriculture, consumer, and commercial credits, making him an asset to our Freedom Bank customer base and branch, serving several different industries throughout the area.

With the continued growth of Freedom Bank, we are excited for the addition of Aaron to our Willard Lending Team. “Aaron is well thought of throughout Southern Missouri,” says Robertson, “We were looking for an individual that can execute community banking the way it should be with a focus on customers and knowledge of the diverse needs of our area.”

Dustin LongFreedom Bank is excited to welcome Dustin Long to our Shell Knob lending team. Dustin is a Cassville native where he lives with his wife Katherine and two boys, Mason, and Easton. While he's not at work, Dustin spends time as a volunteer fire fighter with the Jenkins Fire Department, working on his farm, and watching his boys play sports. In the coming months, Rusty Newman, Shell Knob Branch President, will be taking Dustin under his wing teaching him the ins and outs of the Freedom Bank lending process. 
 
Stan Kelley, Freedom Bank President shares, “It’s a pleasure to have Dustin join Freedom Bank at our Shell Knob Bank. He will fit in well with the great team of associates we currently have at Shell Knob. Dustin will be well received by our growing customer base at Shell Knob. He shows good enthusiasm in wanting to learn more about banking and how he can serve and provide excellent service to the customers.” 
Kellie Moreland photoKellie Moreland, VP Lender specializing in home mortgages at our Monett location, was named 2022 Top Loan Officer by Rocket Pro, our partner in home lending. Moreland was a top producer of home loans serving customers across Southern Missouri. Kellie is also part of the valuable team of home mortgage lenders in the Freedom Bank family that work regularly with Rocket Mortgage, making Freedom Bank of Southern Missouri a 2022 Top Lending Partner in Missouri. “Our partnership with Rocket Mortgage makes the process smooth for us as lenders and most importantly for our customers,” says Kellie. Congratulations, Kellie, on this outstanding accomplishment!
Taylor Robertson photoFreedom Bank of Southern Missouri is proud to announce the promotion of Taylor Robertson to Senior Vice President, Lender, and Branch President of our Willard location. Taylor has been with Freedom Bank for nearly nine years as a lender working primarily with agriculture and commercial loans. Growing up in Willard, Taylor’s network is strong in Willard and surrounding areas.

“I look forward to continuing to build our branch and lead an excellent team that works hard for our customers daily,” says Robertson.

President and CEO, Stan Kelley, shares, “Taylor has shown excellent leadership skills coupled with a broad lending background while working at our Willard branch. Taylor is well respected in Willard and the surrounding communities Freedom Bank serves. Freedom Bank management is very pleased to have Taylor as a Senior Management Officer who will bring new ideas and skills going forward for the Bank. I am confident Taylor will continue leading Freedom Bank Willard to even higher performance levels in the future.”
Robert Kinkade photoWe’re excited to announce a valuable addition to our Freedom Bank team. Richard Kinkade will begin as our Freedom Bank of Southern Missouri Chief Technology Officer beginning June 13. Many of you know Richard from our positive experiences with MDC Business Technology. He and Laura will work closely over the next 60-90 days to transition the full technology operations to Richard’s responsibility. Richard will be based out of Willard but will regularly work remotely from all seven branches.

Following the transition period, we’re pleased to share the promotion of Laura Stupperich to VP, Chief Operations Officer. This new position will ensure that our policies and procedures in operations and deposits will be successfully executed. Laura’s primary role will be to support and lead our Operations Team including tellers, personal banking representatives, teller supervisors, customer service representatives and human resources. This will include creating training operations modules, implementing bank-wide projects like electronic signing and the employee intranet, as well as having a presence at each branch to support our Freedom Bank team.

Laura will bring a wealth of banking knowledge to this new position as we continue moving Freedom forward. Please join me in welcoming Richard to our Freedom Bank family and congratulating Laura as she steps into her new role in leading our Freedom Bank Operations.
freedom bank of southern Missouri logoAfter 22 years, Freedom Bank of Southern Missouri is moving forward with a new look! While banking has changed over the last two decades, our unparalleled service that we provide to our customers has never waivered. In our updated look you’ll notice a streamlined eagle icon and Freedom Bank triangle, moving with Freedom Bank into the next generation.

Join us in celebrating this milestone by stopping by your local Freedom Bank branch for some new swag!

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