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Meet you

Aaron Dorn, Chairman and CEO of Studio Bank, Nashville

Aaron DornAaron LinkedIn

CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

A passionate career banker with experience leading and establishing some of Nashville’s most-loved banks. A veteran officer of the United States Marine Corps. Founded and currently leads the team at Studio Bank.

Full Bio >
Areas of Expertise:

Finance, USMC, Soccer, Theology, Parenting (not necessarily in that order)

Alma Maters:
  • Florida State University (BS)
  • Vanderbilt University (MBA)
Community Involvement:
  • MLS2Nashville Committee
  • Rocketown of Middle Tennessee, Board of Directors
  • Conexión Américas, Board of Directors
  • REBOOT Alliance, Board of Directors
Favorite Creators:

Life: Erin Dorn (my wife), my mother, my sisters

Entrepreneurship: Walt Disney, Steve Jobs, Joey Jacobs

Music: Bob Marley, Chris Stapleton, The Gray Havens, The Avett Brothers, Weezer, Miles Davis, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Louis Armstrong, Stevie Wonder, Buck Owens, John Williams, and the list goes on…

Local Picks:

Nashville Symphony, Nashville FC, Las Paletas, Baja Burrito, Turnip Truck, Cheekwood’s grounds, Radnor Lake’s trails, Vanderbilt University’s trees

Favorite Movie Line or Quote:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again — because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” — Theodore Roosevelt, April 23, 1910

April Britt

April BrittApril LinkedIn

Chief Experience Officer

A multidisciplinary banking professional with oversight over the Studio experience – client and employee experience – including retail banking, brand and marketing, and culture and human resources.

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ALMA MATERS:
  • B.A., Finance, University of Memphis
  • MBA, Lipscomb University
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

Cable & March of Dimes

Local Picks:

5th & Taylor, Peg Leg Porker, City Winery, Red Pony, Saint Anejo

FAVORITE MOVIE LINE OR QUOTE:

“I feel the need… the need for speed.” — Top Gun

Richard Bynum

Richard BynumRichard LinkedIn

Chief Credit Officer

With more than two decades of banking experience, Richard oversees the bank’s commercial credit, consumer credit, compliance, and mortgage banking teams.

Full Bio >
Alma Mater:

Southwest Texas State University, BBA

Community Engagement:

Youth sports

Favorite Creators:

From singer songwriters, like Jimmy Buffett, Robert Earl Keen, and John Prine, all the way to more hard rock like Rush and Van Halen.

Local Picks:

Concerts at the Ryman, Franklin Theatre, Ascend Amphitheatre, or Bridgestone. Dinners at Red Pony or 5th & Taylor.

Favorite Movie Line or Quote:

“I’m your huckleberry, that’s just my game.” — Tombstone

NMLS# 1102176
Jeff Devereaux

Jeff DevereauxJeff LinkedIn

Mortgage Banking Executive

Jeff is one of Nashville’s leading residential mortgage experts. His team provides Studio’s clients with the confidence and tools to fulfill their dreams.

Full Bio >
Alma Maters:
  • BS – University of Tennessee, Knoxville
  • MBA – Middle Tennessee State University
Community Involvement:

Brentwood United Methodist Church, Nashville Mortgage Bankers Association

Favorite Creator:

REM

Local Picks:

Honky tonkin’, Steeplechase, Nashville Predators, Tennessee Titans

Favorite Movie Line or Quote:

“You bet I do.” — Raising Arizona

Ben Mercer, Chief Lending Officer

Ben MercerBen LinkedIn

Chief Lending Officer

One of Nashville’s premier banking executives, specializing in commercial banking (C&I, healthcare, not-for-profit, real estate, and construction).

Full Bio >
Alma Mater:

Auburn University, B.S. Accounting

Community Involvement:

Board of Directors, Woodbine Community Organization

Local Picks

Section 325 of Bridgestone Arena, watching the Nashville Predators!

Favorite Movie Line or Quote:

“I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse.” — The Godfather

NMLS# 1828626
Rita Mitchell, Nashville Banker at Studio Bank

Rita P. MitchellRita P. LinkedIn

Executive Strategy Advisor & Senior Banking Officer

In addition to a 40+ year career in banking, Rita is a best-selling author, TEDx speaker, and award-winning leader.

Full Bio >
Alma Maters:

University of Tennessee (Knoxville) and Dartmouth College

Community Involvement:
  • Founders Advisory Board, Studio Bank
  • Co-Chair of the State of The Woman Conference (TN-2024)
  • Past Board Chair, YWCA of Nashville and Middle TN (3 terms)
  • Past Board Chair, The Women’s Fund
  • Past Chair of the Athena Award-CABLE
  • Founding Board Member, Purpose Preparatory Academy (Charter School)
  • Member, Leadership Nashville Alumni Society
  • Member, Nashville Downtown Rotary Club
  • Member, International Women’s Forum – Tennessee Chapter
  • Member, YWCA Nashville & Middle TN Fulcrum Society
  • Member,  Cheekwood Alumni Council, Past Board Member
Favorite Creator(s):

Life: Brittany Mitchell (my daughter, artist, and CMO of our company, Dream Bigger Now TODAY)

Entrepreneurs: Oprah Winfrey, JLo, Kevin Hart

Music: Beyoncé, JLo, Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind and Fire, Lady GaGa, Miley Cyrus, Dolly Parton, Jill Scott, Alicia Keys

Local Picks:

Cheekwood, Sambuca, SoHo House, Nashville Farmers Market, Eddie V’s, Bourbon Steak

Favorite Movie Line or Quote:

“I am here for a purpose and that purpose is to grow into a mountain, not to shrink to a grain of sand.  Henceforth will I apply ALL of my efforts to become the highest mountain of all and I will strain my potential until it cries for mercy.” — Og Mandino

Erika SmallErika LinkedIn

Corporate Treasurer & Secretary

A co-founder of the bank, Erika leads the bank’s accounting and finance team, corporate governance, and performance excellence efforts. As a leader, she’s meticulously devoted to safeguarding the trust of Studio Bank’s client members, shareholders, and communities.

Full Bio >
Alma Maters:
  • B.A., Economics, Elon University
  • M.A., Economics, Vanderbilt University
Community Involvement:

Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence

Favorite Creator(s):

The Oh Hellos, Of Monsters and Men, Taylor Swift, Andrew Peterson, Randall Goodgame

Local Picks:

Radnor Lake State Park, Triple Crown Bakery, Ryman Auditorium, The Peach Truck, Mojo’s Tacos, Ground Restaurant, Franklin Juice Café

Favorite Movie Line or Quote:

“Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated; it satisfies the soul and frustrates the intellect. It is at the same time rewarding and maddening – and it is without a doubt the greatest game mankind has ever invented.” – Arnold Palmer

Steve Uebelhor Nashville Banker at Studio Bank

Steve Uebelhor

Executive Strategy Advisor & Senior Credit Officer

As a leading Middle Tennessee banker, Steve has earned decades of trust built on wisdom, proven experience, and commitment to relentless service.

Full Bio >
Alma Mater:

Saint Joseph’s College

Community Involvement:

Youth sports (baseball, basketball, and tennis)

Favorite Creator(s):

Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler

Local Picks:

I’m passionate about tennis and love Sperry’s in Belle Meade.

Favorite Movie Line or Quote:

“Intuition is a powerful thing, more powerful than intellect.” — Steve Jobs

NMLS# 639132