Cumberland Trust, a Nashville-based independent trust company, announces the addition of Bedell James as Senior Vice President, Managing Director in Corporate Development. James will lead corporate development in Middle Tennessee as the company continues to expand due to the increased need for independent, personalized trust solutions. In his role, he will collaborate with estate planning attorneys, financial advisors, CPAs, and other professional advisors to serve individuals and families seeking bespoke trust and estate administration services.
“Bedell’s success in developing community relationships and growing organizations makes him an ideal fit for Cumberland Trust’s expanding Corporate Development team,” said Jennie Menzie, CEO and President of Cumberland Trust. “His leadership will contribute to our strategic growth as we deliver premier trust solutions to more families.”
Respected in the Nashville community, James spent the past 19 years at Ensworth School as Director of Institutional Advancement. Through his guidance and relationship-building, the school successfully completed three major campaigns, raising over $200,000,000 in support of capital, endowment, and operating needs. At Ensworth, James also served as liaison to the Advancement Committee and Investment Committee of the Board, where he assisted in overseeing the endowment to ensure that generations of students will benefit from its impact.
Previously, James served as Senior Vice President and Head of Administration at Independence Trust Company in Nashville. In his seven-year tenure, he contributed to significant growth in total assets and number of employees.
“As Cumberland Trust has grown nationwide, the addition of Bedell to the Corporate Development team will allow us to proactively serve the Middle Tennessee region,” said Michelle Diamond, Chief Development Officer. “We look forward to the future growth opportunities as Bedell adds significant depth to our team.”
James earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Lynchburg College in Virginia. He and his wife Anne have three children and reside in Nashville.
Cumberland Trust provides independent, personalized, high-touch trust and estate administration services—a unique solution for individuals and families seeking the expertise of a corporate trustee while retaining the flexibility to work with their chosen group of advisors. The company’s client-first services and directed trust platform have attracted more than $8 billion in assets under administration with ten offices serving families nationwide.