A message from your market president

Jonathan started his banking career in 2004, just two days after graduating from Cedarville University. He always had interest in banking as a career path and knew that helping businesses and owners reach their goals was important. Drawn to the organization, Jonathan joined First Financial Bank in 2012 due to their commitment to business lending, corporate value proposition and local delivery model.

Supporting his team in helping them win valuable relationships for the bank, coaching and mentoring are a few of Jonathan’s biggest attributes as he leads the Western OH team.

Staying active in his community, Jonathan currently serves on the loan committee for the Downtown Dayton Investment Funds, is a board member and treasurer of Bible Fellowship Church and a board member of Give Thanks Foundation. 

Nate joined First Financial Bank with nearly 30 years of industry experience. Prior to joining FFB as a Senior Portfolio Manager, he held roles in credit, underwriting, and commercial leading. This vast experience across finance and lending provides comprehensive understanding of how to deliver the best possible service to clients.

A proven leader, Nate served in leadership roles at many organizations including at the Vice President level. He understands the benefits of working collaborative with other departments and services such as credit and treasury management, resulting right-sized solutions that support clients reaching their goals.

Nate also lives the First Financial value of being Proudly Local by engaging with many local organizations. He is currently a Board Member and Executive Committee Member for the Health Partners of Miami County, serving as Treasurer, chairing the Finance/Audit Committee, and serving on the Strategic Planning, Board Development & Personnel, Revenue Planning Committees. He has previously volunteered on the Shelby County Board of Developmental Disabilities as their Board President and a Finance and Ethics Committee Member, on the Troy Area Chamber of Commerce Board and the Troy Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council, as well as served as a Board Member and Treasurer for Troy Dollars for Scholars.

Michael brings 13 years of dedicated experience in the Southwest Ohio banking landscape to his role here at First Financial Bank. Initiating his career with U.S. Bank's Leadership Development Program, he subsequently advanced through key sectors such as Retail, Business Banking, Global Treasury Management, Commercial Banking, and Corporate Payments. Transitioning to First Financial Bank, Michael was warmly welcomed by an established network of professional peers who attested to the institution's excellent culture and market standing.

Over the course of his career, Michael has built enduring, impactful relationships with his clients. He prioritizes collaborating with senior business leaders and key community stakeholders with the goal of elevating the local business environment. Concurrently, he leverages his banking acumen to facilitate capital access and simplify the complexities of commercial banking.

Committed to community enrichment, Michael actively engages in numerous non-profit organizations. He serves as a Board Leader at Ignite Peace, a Board Member for the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance (DPAA) and sits on the Finance Committee for the Wright State Alumni Association.

Born and raised in Tipp City, Christa has 30 years of experience in banking, with the last 20 in Treasury Management. She joined First Financial in 2019 to be a part of the growth and consultative approach, while focusing on the Dayton and Northern Ohio Markets.  

Christa’s combined knowledge, expertise, and consultative approach, aid in delivering the right tailored solutions to her clients; helping them reach their goals and successfully run their business. 

With a decade of experience, Ashley joined First Financial Bank in 2024. She takes pride in connecting local businesses with the solutions they need to meet their goals and enrich the local economy.

Ashley graduated from West Virginia. Being a part of her client’s success and empowering other female leaders in the city is what drives Ashley to be successful in her own career.

Staying connected to her community is important for Ashley. She serves as the Treasurer for the Miami Valley Nonprofit Collaborative and is a Board Member for Prevent Blindness Ohio.

Jim has more than 20 years’ experience in the banking industry. All his clients, large or small are unique and First Financial Bank offers the care everyone needs. Jim is passionate about helping take his clients and their companies to the next level.

Jim has shown his dedication to both his clients and the bank and has been the recipient of First Financial’s Leaders Circle award twice.

Active in his community, Jim stays involved in the Rotary Club of Lima, is a committee chair and past board president of Downtown Lima Inc., and the treasurer for the Johnny Appleseed Parks for the People. He currently sits as the president of the board for the Allen County Historical Society.

Joseph (Joe) N. Ritter joins First Financial Bank and Yellow Cardinal Advisory Group with 16 years of banking and financial career experience servicing High Net Worth clientele. His mission is to enhance current and prospective relationships with private banking solutions and to provide outstanding service and support to his clients. He has a passion for providing a custom experience to each of his clients. Starting his career in 2008 as a teller, Joe quickly advanced to a licensed banker working in financial centers. He soon had the opportunity to lead and manage several successful financial centers. His career then took him to Private Banking Relationship management, handling all things banking for a large book of business in the HNW division. Joe then spent some time originating mortgages and returned to Wealth Management as a Wealth Banking Specialist in 2022 to continue to provide excellent service in a financial sector he is extremely passionate about. Joe has a degree in Business Administration and Management fromWilmington College and recently obtained his Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS™) designation. He loves spending time with his family, friends and his dog Frank. He has a passion for fitness and eating great food.

Mark has been in banking for more than 25 years, starting out as a part-time teller. He joined First Financial Bank knowing he could do more for his clients. Mark doesn’t count his wins by closing deals, he prides himself on doing what is right for the client to make them successful. Learning about the client and building the relationship, Mark is able to bring solutions to the table that satisfy all parties.

Mark’s determination and dedication has resulted in him receiving several quarterly awards over his career, as well as the top sales award twice.

Staying connected in his community, Mark is involved with multiple organizations including sitting as treasurer for Centerville Hustle Basketball and Miami Valley Down Syndrome. He is also a board member of Homefull.

Jason has more than 20 years of experience in the banking industry. His roles have included credit, business banking, and now he specializes in commercial banking. He works with his partners to provide custom, strategic financing and cash management support for his clients’ full business and personal relationships with the bank.

Believing it’s integral for clients to know bankers are their advocate in the marketplace, Jason helps clients navigate through all seasons of their business and work life — including tough times and milestones of success. He takes great pride in helping find real solutions for entrepreneurs to successfully grow and achieve all their business & personal goals.

Jason’s commitment to excellence has been recognized by being named to the First Financial Leaders Circle (3) three different times. He is a graduate of Wright State University.

Aligned with First Financial’s value of being Proudly Local, Jason has was born & raised in Dayton and is involved with his local community — currently working & living in the South Dayton area.

Spending his entire 30-year career at the bank, Ed worked for People’s Trust Co., later becoming MainSource, right out of college as a loan officer and worked his way up to the Commercial Market Director, SVP in Troy Ohio.

Within the bank, Ed has been recognized as a Top Producer or Performer more than a dozen times as well as receiving the Leader Circle award six times since merging with First Financial.

When Ed isn’t closing deals or open water scuba diving, he volunteers within his community. He sits on several boards including, Troy Development Council as past President and current Executive Full Board member, Troy Planning Commission, Troy Tax Appeal Board, and the CIC of Troy (City Improvement Corporation) -Member of Board since 2014 and President since 2022. 

    

With more than 23 years of experience in financial services and banking, Paul has spent the last ten years with First Financial Bank. His passion for building relationships and finding custom solutions for his clients has earned him a reputation as a trusted partner.

Through his career, Paul feels the most pride in the moments when he has solved challenges for clients. He takes care to learn the business goals of his clients, which allows him to see the big picture and understand where the business is going, which ultimately helps him identify options others may not have seen. This individualized attention is why many of his clients have established long-term relationships that have grown through the years.

Paul lives the company value of being proudly local. He volunteers with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, an organization that builds and delivers beds to children in the area that do not have a bed to sleep on. He also serves as Director for Springboro Youth Wrestling and Assistant Coach for Junior High Wrestling.