As Nashville and its surrounding areas continue to grow in population and industry, Legends is keeping pace by adding to its roster of talented, experienced bankers.
Chip Higgins Promoted to Nashville Market President
On April 1, Chip became Market President for the Nashville area after joining the bank in 2022 as Senior Vice President and Commercial Lending Manager. He brings nearly 40 years of banking experience, as well as a passion for people and leadership.
“I feel very fortunate and honored to be assuming this market leadership role from someone whom I consider a local banking legend, Rick Archer,” said Chip. “I am excited to build upon the great customer base and extraordinary service traditions that both Rick and the Nashville team have built here.”
He’s a native of Boston, MA, though he spent his formative years in Winston-Salem, NC. He earned both a bachelor’s degree in Economics and an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler Business School).
Chip relocated to Nashville in 1984 and launch his banking career as a management trainee at First American National Bank. Chip quickly discovered a passion for serving owner-managed businesses. He devoted his banking career to it, first as a lender, then in executive leadership roles with three regional banking firms.
In 2011, Chip’s love of leadership and leadership development led him to become a founding member of the John Maxwell Team of certified coaches, speakers, and trainers. He has trained hundreds of leaders in Uganda and in the Nashville business community. In 2014 he earned Volunteer of the Year from the Nashville Business Incubation Center.
Chip has been active in the Nashville Chamber’s Small Business Council. He served as Treasurer and Board Chair of Community Resource Center. He was also as chair of the Business Advisory Board at Fisk University.
Chip and his family have made their home in Franklin, TN for 30 years. They are heavily involved in community activities. A 2007 graduate of Leadership Franklin, he is also a former Scoutmaster of Troop 92 Woodmont Christian Church. His family is active in mission ministry at Christ United Methodist Church as well.
Corey Napier Joins Legends Bank
Many people in Williamson County are familiar with Corey as Mayor and Alderman of Thompson Station for over a decade. However, he is much more than a local leader. He’s a businessman with years of banking experience and an entrepreneurial spirit.
“My professional relationship with Corey Napier extends over 30 years,” says Chip. “We are fortunate to recruit Corey in his re-entry to the banking landscape. I know he will exceed our client’s expectations on a daily basis.”
Corey brings 34 years of experience as a banking and financial services executive, primarily in Tennessee. He started his career in the management training program at First American National Bank. Corey spent the majority of his career as a relationship manager, assisting entrepreneurs and private business owners with financial matters.
He has held leadership positions with First American, AmSouth/Regions, First Tennessee and LBMC helping with strategic growth initiatives. Corey is also a graduate of both Leadership Nashville and Leadership Franklin.
“I am married to one of the world’s most accomplished individuals who can do it all,” says Corey. “She runs Circa, a very popular local community restaurant. I’m also a proud father to three highly opinionated kids. I love outdoor sports and working on my farm.”
When asked about this new chapter with Legends Bank, he simply said, “I love Legends for its culture, focus on employees and small business owners. Legends is itself a big success story of entrepreneurs.”
Kent Sandidge added to Nashville team
Another addition to the Legends’ Nashville area team is Kent Sandidge.
“Kent and I have known each other professionally for nearly twenty years,” says Chip. “I had the great pleasure of working together for a number of them. Kent will always go the extra mile for clients. The depth and breadth of his experience makes him that much more responsive to client needs. We are fortunate to have Kent’s experience on this team.”
Kent Sandidge, IV is a native Nashvillian who graduated from The University of Tennessee at Martin in 1990. He graduated from the Barret Graduate School of Banking at Christian Brothers University in 2012. With 30 years of financial experience, he most recently served as VP of Business Development for Vision Financial Group Equipment Leasing.
He spent most of his career serving banks in the Middle Tennessee area. He has been married 20 years to wife, Angela, with 3 sons.
The future is bright in Nashville
“Having outstanding leadership and a long-range strategic plan have always been a focus for Legends Bank. The additions of Chip, Corey, and Kent are a big part of that plan for growth in our Nashville area market,” says Rick Archer. “They say you should always leave something better than you found it. I believe I already had something great to work with when I started at the bank, and now I get to pass that onto Chip.”
Legends Bank is a community bank established in 1998 in Clarksville, Montgomery County. The bank has nine branch locations across four counties in middle Tennessee, including Davidson, Williamson, and Cheatham Counties.