FRANKLIN, TN, August 30, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Richard E. Herrington, President of Franklin Synergy Bank and its parent company, Franklin Financial Network, has been named a Worldwide Who's Who Professional of the Year in Banking. Each year, Worldwide Who's Who selects a limited number of new members in each field. These special honorees are distinguished based on their professional accomplishments, academic achievements, leadership abilities, years of service, and the credentials they have provided in association with their Worldwide Who's Who membership.

After working part-time for a bank in high school and earning a B.A. in Economics from Newberry College in Newberry, South Carolina, Herrington began his Tennessee banking career with First American Bank in Nashville. He then founded and managed a data processing and consulting firm before co-founding Franklin National Bank (Franklin Financial Corporation), where he served as President and Chief Executive Officer. In its twelve year history, Franklin National Bank was one of the most successful community banks in the country; its sale marked the highest multiple of any community bank in history. Upon the sale of Franklin National Bank, Herrington joined Civitas BankGroup, serving as a Director as well as President of the company's main asset, Cumberland Bank.

In 2007, Herrington founded Franklin Synergy Bank (Franklin Financial Network) in Franklin, gathering a team of veteran bankers and local investors to form a true community bank. With four current branches and several more in the planning stages, Herrington sees the bank's growth path as primarily organic. Looking ahead, Herrington hopes for continued growth and for the bank to become publicly listed on NASDAQ, making it the third community bank Herrington has shepherded through the process.

In addition to his undergraduate degree, Herrington earned a master's degree in economics from Florida State University, and is a graduate of the American Bankers Association Stonier Graduate School of Banking. Involved in the professional community, he is a founder of Leadership Franklin, a non-profit community leadership organization now in its 15th year, serving the community and educating leaders in Franklin and Williamson County.

Herrington also serves on the Board of Directors of Williamson Medical Foundation and Franklin Tomorrow, a non-profit community organization that engages the community, fosters collaboration and advocates for a shared vision for the future of Franklin. In addition, Herrington is affiliated with the First United Methodist Church Council and the Williamson County Library Board.

When he is away from the bank, Herrington supports United Way Worldwide and enjoys playing golf and spending time with his grandchildren. For more information about Franklin Synergy Bank/Franklin Financial Network and Richard Herrington, visit http://www.franklinsynergybank.com and http://www.richardherrington.com.

About Worldwide Who's Who
With over 500,000 members representing every major industry, Worldwide Who's Who is a powerful networking resource that enables professionals to outshine their competition, in part through effective branding and marketing. Worldwide Who's Who employs similar public relations techniques to those utilized by Fortune 500 companies, making them cost-effective for members who seek to take advantage of its career enhancement and business advancement services.

Worldwide Who's Who membership provides individuals with a valuable third-party endorsement of their accomplishments, and gives them the tools needed to brand themselves and their businesses effectively. In addition to publishing biographies in print and electronic form, it offers an online networking platform where members can establish new professional relationships.

For more information, please visit http://www.worldwidewhoswho.com.

Contact:
Ellen Campbell
Director, Media Relations
[email protected]

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