Cletus “CJ” Tate (’23)

Seven years after earning his undergraduate degree in sociology, Cletus “CJ” Tate decided to move into banking. To build the skills he needed, he enrolled at Tennessee Tech.

“Earning my Banking and Financial Services certificate at Tennessee Tech elevated my MBA experience by providing applicable tools for strategic decision-making in community banking,” he says. “It strengthened my confidence as a financial leader, equipping me with the knowledge to drive innovation and better serve my institution and community.”

For Tate, the programme’s flexibility made all the difference. “The ease of the online class setting really provided me with the tools to be a student and a working professional,” he shares. “One of my best decisions. Wings up!”

His certificate paved the way for his current role as SVP, Senior Credit Officer at First Peoples Bank Tennessee. His role includes shaping the bank’s credit strategy, risk posture, and long-term portfolio performance.