Pinnacle Financial Partners and Synovus Financial have named the combined company’s expected executive leadership team in the next step to bringing together two of the top-performing regional banks. The merger between Pinnacle and Synovus is expected to close in Q1/26, at which time president and CEO Kevin Blair will be joined by an experienced team of leaders that draws from the best of both institutions.
Upon closing, this team is expected to lead the firm’s most critical corporate functions to drive transformative growth, ignite innovation and shape the future of the combined company under the Pinnacle brand.
- Rob McCabe, Chief Banking Officer
- Jamie Gregory, Chief Financial Officer
- Zack Bishop, Chief Operating Officer
- Shellie Creson, Chief Risk Officer
- Allan Kamensky, Chief Legal Officer
- Matt Paluch, Chief of Staff to Kevin Blair
- Dana Sanders, Chief Audit Executive
- Charissa Sumerlin, Chief Credit Officer
- Jennifer Upshaw, Chief Administrative Officer
- Liz Wolverton, Chief Digital and Product Solutions Officer
- Summer Yeiser, Chief People Officer
“By uniting Pinnacle’s proven high-growth banking model with Synovus’ strategic investments in solutions, technology and scale — and leveraging the strengths of both organizations’ engaged talent and loyal client bases — we’re building a foundation for exceptional performance and enduring success,” Blair said. “This team will lead the way, but it’s our thousands of dedicated and passionate professionals who will truly bring our vision to life, living our culture and values every day and building on the proud legacies of both organizations.”
Reporting to Blair, McCabe will lead revenue-producing units for the combined firm, including the previously announced geographic leaders and the team tasked with delivering exceptional service and advice to clients across the firm’s footprint while maintaining local relationship management and a geographic model.
- Wayne Akins – Wealth management, including trust and investment solutions; mortgage; and third-party payments
- Rick Arthur – Consumer and small business banking, including specialty deposit offerings
- Kevin Combs – Franchise; quick service restaurant; solar and alternative energy; and convenience and gas industries
- Tom Dierdorff – Banking and advisory solutions to financial institutions; technology, media and communications; and healthcare industries
- Kris Foster – Equipment and aircraft finance; dealer industry banking
- Mike Hammontree – Commercial payments products and programs, including treasury management, merchant card services, international trade services and foreign exchange
- Kevin Howard – Institutional commercial real estate lending, structured lending, government banking, senior housing and other specialty banking services
- Andy Moats – Music, entertainment and sports banking
- Dan Stubblefield – Organizational performance optimization
Upon closing, Pinnacle president and CEO Terry Turner will become non-executive chairman of the board of directors of Pinnacle with McCabe serving as vice chairman, ensuring a smooth transition.
“Terry and I co-founded Pinnacle with a group of like-minded business leaders 25 years ago, and choosing the next generation of leadership is the most important thing we’ve done since,” McCabe said. “There’s a similar amount of like-mindedness between the teams at Pinnacle and Synovus, which makes us enthusiastic that we can deliver on this merger with minimal friction. I’ve been a banking practitioner here since 2000 and have enjoyed a lot of success. Now we’ll work together to translate that into success with our new partners.”
