The words Live, Work, Create on a brick wall

Get to Know
Your Banker

Kari Barnhart

Kari BarnhartKari LinkedIn

SVP, Relationship Manager

With over a decade of experience, Kari serves Studio’s Music, Arts, and Entertainment clients providing innovative and exclusive services to individuals in the industry.

Full Bio >
Alma Mater:

Union University

Community Involvement:
  • SOURCE
  • Copyright Society of the South
  • The Troubadour Society
  • 2019 40 Under 40
  • 2017 NELA Finalist
Favorite Creators:

God, my mom (Karen), Bruno Mars, Michael Buble, and the amazing Nashville Music Community

Nashville Picks:

TPAC, Nashville Symphony, The Ryman, Nashville Predators, Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum, County Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Las Palmas, Sam’s Place: Nipper’s Corner, Ellington Agricultural Center, and Radnor Lake

Favorite Quote:

Philippians 4:4-9

NMLS# 436847
Seth Butler, Banker

Seth ButlerSeth LinkedIn

SVP, Relationship Manager, Commercial Real Estate

A trusted leader with expertise in loans, deposits, and treasury management products for commercial real estate owners, investors and developers.

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Alma Maters:

Emory University, B.A. Economics & B.A. Mathematics; Oxford College of Emory University, A.A.  

Community Involvement:
  • Habitat for Humanity (budget coaching, fundraising, building)
  • Hendersonville City Parks (youth league coach)
  • Urban Land Institute – Nashville District Council, Treasurer
  • NAIOP
  • CCIM
  • Second Harvest Food Bank
  • Stop Hunger Now
Favorite Creators:

Dan Brown, Leon Bridges, Linus Hall (Yazoo – Dos Perros), Jimmy Buffett, and Kirsten Butler (she created my two beautiful and talented daughters!)

Nashville Picks:

Old Hickory Lake, Husk, Nashville greenways, Nashville Predators

Favorite Movie Line or Quote:

“If we weren’t all crazy, we would go insane.” — Jimmy Buffet

NMLS# 1540371
Nashville Studio Bank David Costello

David CostelloDavid LinkedIn

SVP, Relationship Manager

David’s decades of experience in Middle Tennessee’s banking and finance community have given him trusted relationships and extensive expertise helping others.

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Alma Mater:

David Lipscomb University

Community Involvement:
  • National and Nashville MS Society
  • Williamson County Chamber of Commerce
  • AADOM
Favorite Creators:
  • Music – Cheap Trick, Radney Foster, Dan Seals, and Steve Wariner
  • Movies – Anything Coen Brothers or John Hughes
  • Comedy – Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx, Gary Gulman, and Nate Bargatze
  • Most Important – My Creator and Ellen Costello
Local Picks:
  • Breakfast: The Good Cup – Grassland Community
  • Lunch: Country View Market – Charlotte, TN
  • Dinner: Red Lobster (those biscuits!)
  • Dessert: Any ice cream place walking around downtown Franklin
Favorite Movie Line or Quote:

“You can’t stop what’s coming. Ain’t all waiting on you. That’s vanity.” — No Country for Old Men

NMLS# 1925652
Nashville Entertainment Banker Ron Cox

Ron CoxRon LinkedIn

Music Arts & Entertainment Executive

30-year banker serving all facets of the music and entertainment industry’s personal and commercial banking needs, including depository, treasury, intellectual property lending, investments and mortgage.

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Community Involvement:
  • Leadership Music Board, GMA Foundation Board
  • Adjunct professor at Belmont University’s Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business 
Favorite Creator:

Earl Scruggs

Nashville Picks:

The Station Inn, Ryman Auditorium, 404 Kitchen, 5th & Taylor

Favorite Movie Line or Quote:
  1. “Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.” – Dead Poets Society
  2. “Every man dies, but not every man really lives.” – Braveheart
NMLS# 728657
Nashville Studio Bank Laura Dye

Laura DyeLaura LinkedIn

SVP, Relationship Manager

Laura has more than 30 years of banking experience. She enjoys being a part of her clients’ success and bringing new solutions to the Studio Bank member community.

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Alma Mater:

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Favorite Creator(s):

My mother

Local Picks:

55 South and Moby Dickey’s in Hendersonville

Favorite Movie Line or Quote:

“You had me at ‘Hello.'” — Jerry Maguire

NMLS# 436797

Eunice HernandezEunice LinkedIn

Relationship Manager

Eunice is a seasoned banker who offers clients expertise in serving the Music, Arts, and Entertainment industry.

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Alma Mater:
  • Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
  • California Institute of the Arts
  • Austin Peay State University, MBA
Community Involvement:

OZ Arts

Favorite Creator:

Coco Chanel

Nashville Picks:

Maggiano’s, Adele’s, Hillwood Country Club Golf Course, Gaylord Opryland for family activities

Passions:

I am very passionate about serving our military personnel, active duty, and veterans as I served in the US Navy myself for four years.

NMLS# 1646521

Dave HorrellDave LinkedIn

SVP, Relationship Manager

Dave is a 20-year commercial banker focused on providing banking solutions to owner-managed businesses and not-for-profit organizations, as well as their owners and/or executives.

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His expertise includes: structuring debt solutions for real estate and equipment financing, working capital needs, and acquisition financing; providing depository and cash management solutions; and helping his clients think strategically about growth, sustainability, and exit strategies.

Alma Mater:

University of Florida

Community Involvement:
  • Brentwood United Methodist Church
  • Brentwood Ball Club – Volunteer Coach
Favorite Creators:

Led Zepplin, U2, The Rolling Stones, R.E.M., Oasis, Martin Scorsese, Ernest Hemingway, Claude Monet

Nashville Picks:

Cork & Cow, Il Forno, Peg Leg Porker, Party Fowl, Geodis Park, 3rd & Lindsley

Favorite Quote:

“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.” – Thomas Jefferson

“One day some of the kids from the neighborhood carried my mother’s groceries all the way home. You know why? It was outta respect.” – Goodfellas

NMLS# 1867401
Robin Kotora Studio Bank Nashville

Robin Kotora

VP, Relationship Manager

For Robin, banking centers on building trusted relationships. She brings decades of experience and client loyalty to every engagement.

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Alma Mater:

Austin Peay State University

Community Involvement:

Williamson Inc., Downtown Franklin Association, Williamson County Library Foundation

Favorite Creator(s):

Lindsay Tripp, Claude Monet, Banksy, Mary Cassatt, Tom Petty, SRV, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Lucinda Williams, Muddy Waters, Aretha Franklin, Dorothy Parker, Maya Angelou, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Margaret Atwood, and thousands more.

Local Picks:

Ryman Auditorium, O Be Joyful/Grays on Main, Tito’s Mexican Restaurant, Geodis Park/Nashville SC

Favorite Movie Line or Quote:

“The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible.” — Arthur C. Clarke

NMLS# 1960485
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
Banker Dan Neumann

Dan NeumannDan LinkedIn

SVP, Relationship Manager, Residential Construction

With Nashville’s construction and growth, Dan remains a market leader and trusted advisor to both businesses and families.

Full Bio >
Alma Mater:

University of St. Francis (Joliet, IL), BA in Finance (Econ Minor)

Community Involvement:

Volunteer Basketball Coach (Boys & Girls), various leagues; HBAMT

Favorite Creators:

As a football fan, I always loved watching the play of QBs Don “Majik” Majkowski, Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers (I’m a bit of a Packer fan) and RB Barry Sanders. The ability of all of them to create something out of nothing on the football field was/is awesome to watch.

Nashville Picks:

Any field, court, or pool, watching my kids (and others) compete and have fun!

Favorite Movie Line or Quote:

Hard to narrow it to just one…

  • “I am serious. And don’t call me Shirley.” – Airplane
  • “If I’m not back in five minutes, just wait longer!” – Ace Ventura
  • “Every man dies. Not every man really lives.” — Braveheart
NMLS# 1102180
Studio Bank Matt Pierucki

Matt PieruckiMatt LinkedIn

SVP, Relationship Manager

As an SVP and relationship manager at Studio, Matt helps clients with their commercial, small business, and personal banking needs.

Full Bio >
Alma Mater:

University of Florida

Community Involvement:
  • Lebanon First United Methodist Church, Finance Committee
  • TN Repertory Board, Advisory Council
Favorite Creators:

Pearl Jam, George Lucas, Hatch Show Print

Nashville Picks:

Burger Up, Party Fowl, Frothy Monkey, Mill Creek Brewery, and The Music City Bowl

Favorite Movie Line or Quote:

“Back off, man. I’m a scientist.” — Ghostbusters

NMLS# 1256210
Nashville Studio Bank Melinda Pulliam

Melinda PulliamMelinda LinkedIn

SVP, Relationship Manager

For Melinda, banking is not just about transactions, but it is a relationship business where your story needs to be heard and understood. She embraces that at Studio Bank.

Full Bio >
Alma Mater:

Wright State University

Community Involvement:
  • Williamson County Library Foundation Board Member
  • Grassland Middle School, Generals Store Chairperson
  • Nashville Chamber of Commerce
  • Williamson, Inc.
  • Youth Athletics
  • CityCurrent
Favorite Creator(s):

My mom, grandma, and all those willing to take a risk on creating something around a passion or need, whether in music, business, art, etc.

Local Picks:

Nashville FC, Preds, Titans, Sounds, Ryman Auditorium, TPAC, Youth Dance, Radnor Lake, Edwin Warner Parks, Simply Living Life, Oak, Arrington Vineyard, anywhere to catch a baseball game, Grassland/Franklin High sports, Franklin Art Crawl, Harlinsdale Farm

Favorite Movie Line or Quote:

“There’s No Crying in Baseball!” — A League of Their Own

NMLS# 1953932
Parker Seabolt

Parker SeaboltParker LinkedIn

SVP, Private Banking

Parker is a trusted expert in private banking, business lending, and commercial real estate.

Full Bio >
Alma Mater:

East Tennessee State University (ETSU), MBA and BBA in finance

Community Involvement:

March of Dimes

Favorite Creators:

Frank Lloyd Wright, Eric Adler

Nashville Picks:

Bobbie’s Dairy Dip, Pastaria

Favorite Movie Line or Quote:

“No way! We’ve landed on the moon!” — Dumb and Dumber

NMLS# 1135433
Phil Shmerling Headshot 1

Phil ShmerlingPhil LinkedIn

SVP, Relationship Manager

Phil serves the startup and investor communities. He has extensive knowledge in entrepreneurship and the technology industry and is an investor in and advisor to startups across the region.

Full Bio >
Alma Mater:

Indiana University – Kelley School of Business, B.S. Accounting and Finance; Honors College

Community Involvement:
  • Mentor, Nashville Entrepreneur Center
  • Mentor in Residence, The Wond’ry Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Vanderbilt University
Favorite Creators:

Arts: Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent Van Gogh
Music: Howlin’ Wolf, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Phish, Mozart
Entrepreneurs: John D. Rockefeller, Richard Branson, Elon Musk

Nashville Picks:

Arts: Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Ryman Auditorium, Frist Art Museum
Eats: Pinewood Social, Martin’s BBQ, SATCO, Pancake Pantry
Kids: Adventure Science Center, Sevier Park, Las Paletas

Favorite Movie Line or Quote:

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.” – Mark Twain

NMLS# 1828024

Dwayne SniderDwayne LinkedIn

SVP, Relationship Manager

A career banker serving Middle Tennessee’s medical and dental professionals.

Full Bio >
Alma Mater:

Lipscomb University

Community Involvement:
  • Nashville Dental Society
Favorite Creators:

God, Beth Snider, and Billy Joel

Nashville Picks:

SATCO, Nashville Sounds, and Charles Hawkins Field

Favorite Movie Line or Quote:

“Why do we fall? So we can learn how to pick ourselves up!” – Batman Begins

NMLS# 2139239
Rick Sofilkanich

Rick SofilkanichRick LinkedIn

SVP, Relationship Manager

With almost two decades of banking industry experience, Rick offers expertise to commercial, small business, and personal banking clients.

Full Bio >
ALMA MATER:

University of Pittsburgh (go Panthers)

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

1)  Downtown Franklin Rotary Club

2) Veterans Causes such as Operation Stand Down in Nashville.

3) Youth football and baseball coach in Spring Hill TN

FAVORITE CREATOR:

I enjoy Rock music from bands such as AC/DC and Aerosmith.  Love country music and artists like Kenny Chesney and Martina McBride. I also love George Lucas and Steven Spielberg movies.

NASHVILLE PICKS:

Sounds Baseball, Titans Football, 3rd and Lindsey for live music, and the Nashville Predators

FAVORITE MOVIE LINE:

“You’re my boy, Blue!”  – Will Ferrell, “Old School”

NMLS# 1231504
Jennifer Thompson

Jennifer ThompsonJennifer LinkedIn

SVP, Treasury Management

Jennifer is Studio’s guru of Treasury Services.

Full Bio >
Alma Mater:

Georgia Tech

Community Involvement:

Working with pets and families in need. 

Favorite Creator:

Dale Chihuly

Nashville Picks:

Patterson House, Bastion, We-Ho

Favorite Movie Line or Quote:

“Where ever you go, there you are” — Buckaroo Banzai

Bryan Weschler Nashville Banker at Studio Bank

Bryan Weschler

VP, Relationship Manager

Bryan has earned the trust of corporations and individuals by providing sophisticated banking solutions and building genuine relationships.

Full Bio >
Alma Mater:

Lipscomb University

Community Involvement:

Make-A-Wish

Favorite Creator(s):

Nate Bargatze

Local Picks:

Frothy Monkey and Pickleball

Favorite Movie Line or Quote:

“ Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It’s the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston Churchill

NMLS# 1621400