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Meet the team
Meet our team serving Central Ohio's commercial businesses.
Joseph’s hard work and perseverance has led him to where he is today. Starting his banking career as a teller and management trainee in retail, he grew to focus on commercial banking, where he has spent the last 17 years.
With Joseph’s local knowledge and immersive business understanding, he serves as his client’s advocate. He works closely with his clients, even through the challenging times to help them succeed.
Joseph aligns with First Financial’s pillar, Proudly Local. He currently sits as a board member of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and serves on their donor and finance committee. Additionally, he volunteers for Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Business owner to commercial banker, John Cashman has experience on both sides of the table. Owning several businesses before moving his career to the bank, gives John the ability to offer traditional insights as well as help his clients navigate capital markets.
During the course of his banking career, John has had increasing roles from business banker to his current role as a middle market banker. He has helped fund ESOPs, and works closely with business owners during their exit, helping them to continue to work in the business they previously owned.
Active in his community, John volunteers as a coach for a youth hockey team and is a member of the Shriners, Masons, and Elks.
With more than 30 years of Commercial Banking Relationship and Portfolio Management experience, Fred was attracted to First Financial Bank’s stated commitment to strategic growth of the Middle Market Commercial Banking Segment post-merger with Main Source in 2018.
Fred has secured significant equipment finance, commercial and industrial relationships. He provides the attention his clients deserve while delivering solutions to help them succeed.
He has been a member of the Rotary Club of Columbus for over 30 years and volunteers on the Columbus Public Schools Community Service Mentoring and 3rd Grade Dictionary Projects. Fred also Serves on the Boards of the Columbus Rotary Foundation and the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges and assists with OFIC’s Annual Scholarship Fund Raising Campaign efforts.
The past 17 years of Derek’s 20-year career has been spent in business and commercial baking. Derek’s desire to bring a more personal, holistic experience to his clients is what drove him to join First Financial Bank.
Derek has decades of experience in banking with a focus in Commercial Real Estate, Equipment Financing, Acquisition Lending, SBA Lending, and Investment Real Estate.
His commitment to his career has earned him a six-time winner of the quarterly Leaders Circle Award, one of those being the annual winner Leaders Circle Award, and he finished as the #1 Business Banker at First Financial Bank in 2019.
Derek stays involved in his community and volunteers as a coach for the local school and Christ’s Table. Derek also sits on the board of Foxfire Intermediate School Board of Education.
Peter joined First Financial Bank in July of 2023 with more than 15 years of industry experience. Prior to joining FFB, he held roles in credit, leadership, and sales across Branch & Business Banking, ICRE, Commercial Banking & Credit Risk Management.
Peter has been recognized at previous institutions for being in the top 10% of performing employees in sales and leadership, as well as receiving the Circle of Excellence award for outstanding customer service. He joined the First Financial Team because he appreciates the emphasis on local banking and the opportunity to focus on his passion: connecting with clients and finding the right financial products to support their goals.
In his spare time, Peter enjoys construction and building projects. He shares First Financial’s value of investing in the community and has previously worked with Habitat Young Professionals, a part of Habitat for Humanity. The group creates affordable housing for the community and provides young professionals with opportunities to volunteer.
Josh has been working with business owners for more than 10 years. Starting out as a financial advisor he found his ability to truly impact his client’s lives was on the business lending side, not in asset management. He joined First Financial Bank to focus on those business relationships.
Taking a chance and helping his clients double their business is why Josh has been recognized in the leader circle twice in his four years.
Nick’s experience comes from holding various roles in banking for the last 12 years, with a focus on small to medium sized businesses.
The flexibility to provide unique solutions to businesses is what drew Nick to First Financial Bank. He offer’s his clients the opportunity to grow their business and eventually exit.
Nick serves his local community by volunteering at a local church as part of the first impressions team and food ministry. He also serves on local city financial boards providing conservative guidance for the appropriation of government funds.
When Nick isn’t closing deals, he is active outside exploring caves. In the past 30 years, he has explored 100 caves and as helped preserve seven caves in Kentucky.
Rebecca is a Commercial Treasury Management Advisor servicing the Central Ohio Market. She joined First Financial Bank in 2022 excited for the opportunity to work for a growing bank. With a proven track record of successfully building and maintaining relationships, Rebecca creatively solves and delivers results.
A transplant to the Columbus area, Rebecca has made herself at home and is active within the Westerville community volunteering for Lifetown Columbus.
