From small-town Brentwood roots to leading Servis First Bank Nashville
As a Nashville native, alumnus Bradford Vieira (accounting ‘97) has witnessed the city’s urban transformation firsthand.
"Brentwood was the country back then," he recalled. “Going to Belmont was an easy choice for me because I wanted to be a part of what was going on. Nashville was a sleepy little city until the pro teams came. I graduated in ‘97, and the Titans went to the Super Bowl in ‘99. It was a very exciting time.”
He credits Belmont with providing more than just an education — it offered him a transformative experience that shaped his entire career trajectory. A fundamental education coupled with character-forming mentorship were foundational for his future success — serving as CEO of Servis First Bank Nashville.
The Belmont Difference: Mentorship
Vieira’s Belmont experience was defined by intimate learning and powerful mentorship. Attending the University when it had roughly 2,000 students, he found a nurturing environment that went beyond traditional academics. His baseball coach, the late Dave Whitten, was especially influential.
"He was not just a coach, but a father figure who taught me there's more to life than just baseball and classes," Vieira recalled.
Business professors like Tommy Wooten and Howard Cochran were also pivotal in broadening Viera’s perspective. They consistently emphasized that education was about more than just mastering technical skills — it was about preparing for life's broader challenges.
Thanks to Belmont's robust network, a connection from Wooten led Viera to First American National Bank's commercial banking training program. By August 1997, just months after graduation, he had launched his banking career.
“A lot of people were responsible for helping me along the way,” Vieira reflected. “I could not have done it on my own.”
Vieira even includes Larry Thrailkill, former Board of Trustee chair, among the diverse leadership figures who provided both direct and indirect mentorship at Belmont. “His leadership had a big impact on me,” Viera explained. “He's been a phenomenal ambassador for Belmont, and his name is on my degree. I’d call him a mentor from a far.”
Founding Servis First Bank Nashville
In 2013, driven by a desire to create a more personalized banking experience, Vieira took a significant leap. He partnered with Servis First Bank, an Alabama-based institution, to establish its Nashville branch. His vision was simple but powerful: create a bank that prioritizes client relationships and responsiveness.
"The bigger banks make it harder to truly take care of clients," he said. "I wanted to build something where we could support our clients in the most meaningful way possible."
Vieira’s leadership philosophy has been recognized repeatedly. Servis First Bank Nashville has been named a "Best Place to Work" for six consecutive years, an achievement he attributes to intentional culture-building.
"Sometimes the best thing that can happen is to be surrounded by good people," he said.
Today, Vieira continues to maintain a connection to Belmont. He has served multiple terms on the College of Business Advisory Board, frequently attends Bruin baseball games and regularly hires qualified alumni. The mentorship he experienced as a Belmont student also continues to shape his daily leadership style.
Vieira’s path from a then-small-town Brentwood student to the CEO of Servis First Bank Nashville is a testament to the power of community and mentorship.
“Larry Thrailkill and Coach Whitten are two people with the highest character that I’ve ever known,” he said. “Because of my mentors, Belmont impacts how I go about my job every day in a positive way.”
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