MEMPHIS, Tenn., April 3, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Larry Martin, chief operating officer for First Tennessee Bank's financial services group, will retire June 30, 2006, following a successful 37-year career in banking. In his current role with First Tennessee, a division of Memphis-based First Horizon National Corp. (NYSE:FHN), Martin holds responsibility for all Tennessee regional banking markets, merchant services processing, Hickory Venture Capital, Synaxis Group and the commercial, corporate and middle market divisions.
"It is difficult for me to imagine this company without Larry," said Charles Burkett, president of First Tennessee's financial services group. "His leadership contributions are wide-reaching, and perhaps one of his greatest attributes has been his commitment to putting employees first while keeping a keen focus on business results. Larry is the embodiment of what our culture should be. He will be greatly missed."
Martin, 58, began his career in 1969 as a customer service representative and assistant branch manager with First National Bank in Memphis, which was renamed First Tennessee in 1977. In August 2004 Martin was promoted to his current position. He works from the company's offices in Knoxville, Tenn.
A native of Jackson, Tenn., Martin earned his bachelor of science degree in banking/finance from the University of Tennessee - Knoxville. He completed the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University and the Graduate School of Credit and Financial Management at Stanford University.
"It has been a fascinating and exciting journey to get where we are as an organization today," said Martin. "Thinking back to my early days, I would have never predicted or expected how many wonderful opportunities and challenges this company would provide for me. Playing a part in making First Tennessee the world class company that it is today has been an honor, a privilege, and among the proudest accomplishments of my lifetime."
Martin and his wife, Jane, have two daughters, Hope, of Hickory, N.C., and Meg, of Boulder, Colo.