Melissa James has joined Pinnacle Financial Partners as office leader for the firm's Memorial and Northwest Broad Street locations in Rutherford County.

James brings 17 years of financial services experience from Regions Bank, where she spent 10 years in branch manager roles in Murfreesboro.

"Melissa's extensive financial services experience and local involvement are a winning combination and will benefit our clients," said Ron Carter, area manager of client services for Rutherford and Bedford County. "She is an excellent addition to our team."

James earned her bachelor's degree and master's degree in business administration from Middle Tennessee State University.

She is active in the community and currently serves on the board of Crime Stoppers Rutherford County. James has volunteered for events in support of Relay for Life, American Heart Association and The Boy Scouts Merit Badge programs. She also volunteers at Chamber of Commerce events including Business at its Best and ribbon cuttings.

"With Melissa coming on board, we will be shifting two of our other office leaders who had graciously stepped up to help fill vacant roles at these offices," Carter said. "Jill Duncan, who was managing Pinnacle's Memorial office, has moved to be office leader for our South Church Street office. Cindy May, who was serving as office leader for our Cason Lane and Northwest Board Street offices, will continue to manage the Cason Lane office."

Pinnacle Financial Partners provides a full range of banking, investment, trust, mortgage and insurance products and services designed for businesses and their owners and individuals interested in a comprehensive relationship with their financial institution. The firm earned a place on Fortune's 2017 list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in the U.S., and American Banker recognized Pinnacle as the sixth-best bank to work for in 2017.

The firm began operations in a single location in downtown Nashville, TN in October 2000 and has since grown to approximately $21.8 billion in assets as of Sept. 30, 2017. As the second-largest bank holding company headquartered in Tennessee, Pinnacle operates in 11 primarily urban markets in Tennessee, the Carolinas and Virginia.

Additional information concerning Pinnacle, which is included in the NASDAQ Financial-100 Index, can be accessed at www.pnfp.com.