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In a significant move to support housing security and community well-being, Home Federal Bank announces a $200,000 donation to local nonprofit organizations that provide safe, affordable housing solutions throughout the East Tennessee region. The funding will be distributed among trusted nonprofit partners dedicated to housing stability, homelessness prevention, and neighborhood revitalization.

“At Home Federal, we believe that everyone deserves a safe and stable place to call home,” said David Reynolds, CEO of Home Federal Bank. “Affordable housing is foundational to financial well-being, public health, and vibrant communities. We’re honored to support the dedicated nonprofits in our region who are making a lasting difference every day.”

The funds will support a range of programs, including emergency housing assistance, transitional living facilities, the construction and renovation of affordable housing units, housing counseling, and wraparound services that help families achieve long-term housing stability. Various recipient organizations include Knox Area Rescue Ministries (KARM), Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC), Knoxville Habitat for Humanity, Helen Ross McNabb Foundation, Neighborhood Housing Inc., The Restoration House, Volunteer Ministry Center, and YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley, among several others.

“Housing is more than just shelter. It is the foundation for opportunity. It creates the stability needed to address other barriers through our wraparound services. Home Federal’s investment reflects their belief that stable housing is essential to the long-term health and prosperity of our communities,” said Natalie Stair, Interim Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Knoxville & the Tennessee Valley.

“Home Federal Bank’s investment in affordable housing underscores the vital role housing plays in the well-being of all families, especially those with limited incomes. Through their support of The Restoration House and many other community partners, they are helping create stable, dignified housing and a brighter future for those who need it most,” stated Daniel Watson, Executive Director of The Restoration House.

“We are deeply grateful to Home Federal Bank for investing in the long-term stability and strength of our community,” said Anna Engelstad, CEO of Knoxville Habitat for Humanity. “This support helps us create affordable homeownership opportunities where families build their own futures and contribute to the vitality of Knox County. Affordable homeownership is more than a roof and walls, it’s a pathway to financial independence, better health, and educational outcomes,” Engelstad added. “Home Federal’s investment demonstrates their commitment to removing barriers and creating opportunities that help families and neighborhoods thrive.”

This donation is part of Home Federal Bank’s ongoing commitment to community reinvestment. The bank additionally supports initiatives in food assistance, healthcare, economic development, education, and financial literacy.

Home Federal Bank is the largest mutually owned community bank in Tennessee. Founded in 1924, it has 23 offices in Knox, Anderson, Blount, and Sevier counties.

Home Federal Bank provides mortgage and consumer loans, credit and debit card services, online and mobile banking, savings plans, personal and business trust services, commercial banking, and brokerage services through its subsidiary, Home Financial Services Inc.

www.homefederalbanktn.com

Click to view the online version of the Blount Partnership weekly newsletter for May 26, 2025.

This feature is a question-and-answer session with a new Blount County Chamber member. So, here we go with our 227th installment visiting with Sherry Dial, founder and Sales Growth Business Consultant for Dial Services which helps e-commerce business owners who are tired of guessing what’s working.

Describe your services: I help e-commerce business owners who are tired of guessing what’s working. They’ve got data coming in from Shopify or Square, but turning it into something useful? That’s the hard part. I take all that overwhelming info and turn it into clear, simple actions. Now, they can get more repeat customers, grow their sales, and finally feel confident in their marketing, without needing to hire a full team.

How did you get started? It really all started at my kitchen table. I had this moment where everything just clicked. I knew I had to create something meaningful of my own. After surviving a few near death experiences when I was younger, I’ve always seen life as a second chance. That mindset drives everything I do now: using my skills to serve others and create real, lasting impact in their businesses.

What is your background? For over 20 years, I worked as an internal auditor with Fortune 500 companies, manufacturing firms, tech startups and government agencies, where I helped drive growth, improve processes, and boost sales performance. That experience gave me a deep understanding of how data, analytics and strategy fuel business success. While working at a tech startup during the pandemic, I helped them scale from 1,000 to 15,000 paid subscribers by analyzing their SaaS metrics. It was then I realized that I could apply that same expertise as a sales and growth consultant, helping Shopify and Square sellers turn their numbers into smart decisions that grow their businesses.

Who is your mentor? One of my biggest mentors has been the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) and Knoxville Entrepreneur Center (KEC), who helped me build my business on a solid foundation and guided me through everything from legal red flags to smart growth strategies. Their support saved me from a lot of early missteps. I also credit my early decision to hire Pedro Da Silva, a SEO consultant at Thrive Local Marketing, even before I had clients. His expertise taught me the importance of visibility and intentional growth from day one.

Describe your customers: My customer is a driven, often self-taught store owner, whether local or online, who manages a small, family-supported team. They spend late nights juggling a million things, everything from social media to sales reports and feel stretched thin. Passionate about their business, they’re looking for practical, trusted support to turn their data into smarter marketing, more repeat customers, and stronger sales.

What are three things you knew before you started?

1. Don’t skip taking breaks, like going for a walk or eating lunch. It’s important to recharge.
2. Practice what you preach – people are drawn to authenticity.
3. Not everyone has your best interests at heart, even those who may seem like they do.

What do you enjoy most about your business?

I love getting the chance to partner with businesses that already have all the essential teams in place like marketing, IT, bookkeeping, customer relations, and leadership. Yet, they still aren’t hitting their sales growth goals. I get super geeked out when I come in and prioritize data, creating a data-driven culture where everyone rallies around clear benchmarks and metrics. Watching that focus lead to a real boost in sales growth? That’s what truly excites me.

This feature is a question-and-answer session with a new Blount County Chamber member. So, here we go with our 226th installment visiting with Ashley Griffith, founder and owner of Ashley’s Recruiting Services which exists to make a meaningful impact by connecting talented professionals with mission-driven organizations that align with their values.

Describe your services: At ARS, we specialize in placing a variety of professionals—including Mental Health, Medical, Development/Fundraising, and IT/Engineering experts at mission-driven organizations. We take the time to truly understand our clients’ specific needs and requirements, ensuring that we match candidates who not only have the skills but also share a genuine passion for the organization’s mission, vision, and values. By focusing on both expertise and cultural alignment, we help businesses build strong, purpose-driven teams that make a lasting impact.

How did you get started? After spending over 15 years in Corporate Human Resources and consistently performing as a top contributor, I was unexpectedly laid off while on vacation—despite being at the peak of my career. That experience became a pivotal turning point, motivating me to take control of my professional future. I channeled my HR expertise and passion for people into launching a business that reflects my values and creates a lasting legacy for my children.

What is your background? I am a Tennessee native who has always been passionate about helping others and giving back to the community. Since then, I’ve dedicated my efforts to providing organizations with the most important aspect to any company – Human Capital. I have a Masters Degree in Human Resources Management and a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Business and have worked in Human Resources for over 15 years, specializing in Talent Acquisition for non-profit and for-profit organizations.

Describe your customers: Our customers are small to mid-sized businesses that value people-first strategies. They are forward-thinking organizations looking to refine their talent acquisition, improve workplace culture, and build stronger leadership. These businesses understand the importance of strategic human capital management and seek expert guidance to drive growth and transformation. What they all have in common is a commitment to fostering supportive, inclusive environments that help their teams thrive, leading to sustainable success for both their people and their business.

What are three things you wish you knew when you started?

1. The importance of boundaries – I wish I had known how crucial it is to set clear boundaries between work and personal life, especially as a business owner. Burnout is real, and protecting your energy is essential for long-term success.
2. You can’t do it all alone – I initially thought I had to wear every hat, but I’ve learned that outsourcing and building a solid support network is key to scaling and maintaining quality.
3. Success doesn’t happen overnight – I wish I fully understood that growth takes time, consistency, and patience. It’s easy to compare yourself to others, but every business has its own timeline.

What do you enjoy about your business?

What I enjoy most about running my business is the ability to create meaningful impact. I love connecting with clients and making a difference in their workplace culture and talent strategies. There’s something incredibly rewarding about helping others thrive and seeing the tangible results of our work. Additionally, being my own boss allows me the freedom to innovate, make decisions aligned with my values, and, most importantly, build a legacy for my children. It’s a challenging yet fulfilling journey, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to shape both my professional and personal future.

Click to view the online version of the Blount Partnership weekly newsletter for April 28, 2025.

This feature is a question-and-answer session with a new Blount County Chamber member. So, here we go with our 225th installment visiting with Shannon Fowler, owner of PowerFit whose purpose is to not only get stronger by working out together, but its a community, a family rather, of people that enjoy getting together to encourage one another, motivate one another and work towards a better person, inside and out.

Describe what PowerFit does. PowerFit is mainly group fitness classes that focus on various types of workouts, from lifting to HIIT. We offer workshops for our members as well as a private accountability group to help them on track.

How did you get started and what is your background? After I had my first son (9 years ago) I got heavily into nutrition and fitness. I felt that I was a natural born leader and was able to help people with the things that I had learned on my own journey. A lot of my knowledge comes mainly from experience. After having two babies and going through my own health and fitness journey, I learned so much and felt that I was able to help others. I decided to further my education with it and acquired a certification in nutrition coaching, personal training and group fitness.

Describe your customers. PowerFit customers are anyone who is wanting to start or continue their health and fitness journey. Anyone who is wanting to learn how to workout, gain strength and longevity and be in a guided environment with coaches that are knowledgeable and can help you every step of the way.

What do you wish you knew when you started your business? One thing that I wish I knew when I started was faith in myself. Anytime you start a business you have doubts and fears. I wish that I would have just thrown that all out the window and jumped in head first. I tiptoed in the first couple of years and I wish I didn’t do that.

Another thing I wish I would have known was to be true to myself. I have always been a people pleaser and in the beginning I wanted to do anything possible to keep people happy. It’s just not possible in this industry.

And finally, I just wish I would have done it sooner.

What do you enjoy most about your business? Running the business naturally has it challenges, but honestly it’s the most rewarding thing I have ever experienced. These people that come into the gym come with a purpose and I love getting to witness their growth and change in their journey. The members trust me and my guidance to help them become better versions of themselves and potentially change their lives. It’s very surreal most days and has become such a blessing to me. I have made friendships that will last a lifetime and built a community of people that will always be there for one another.

Click to view the online version of the Blount Partnership weekly newsletter for April 21, 2025.