TN HJR0710

Resolution honors the memory of James W. "Jim" Ayers (born November 19, 1943, in Parsons), founder and chairman of FirstBank, who grew the institution from $14 million in assets in 1984 to over $13 billion

Founded The Ayers Foundation in 1999, which has directly supported over 30,000 rural Tennessee students in pursuing education and career goals

Established major philanthropic institutions including the Ayers Institute at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Ayers Children's Hospital in Jackson, and Ayers Institute for Teacher Learning and Innovation at Lipscomb University

Vanderbilt University Medical Center is naming its new $500 million Jim Ayers Tower (opening October 2025) in his honor

Resolution expresses sympathy to his family and formally honors his legacy of business leadership, philanthropy, and dedication to rural Tennessee communities