Pinnacle Financial Partners is expanding its presence in Virginia with a full-service team in Richmond. The move supports the firm’s long-term growth plan in the state and builds on its existing operations in Roanoke, Lynchburg, and the National Capital Region.
Pinnacle’s Richmond team includes area manager Chris Daniels; financial advisors Suzanne Gardner, David Marino, and Wes Baskerville; and financial advisor assistant Crystal Hedrick. They will partner with existing Richmond-based financial advisors Frank Meade and Wendy Inge.
“Richmond presents a tremendous opportunity for Pinnacle,” Jonathan Richardson, Pinnacle’s regional president for Western and Central Virginia, said. “We believe the region is hungry for our unique brand of financial services provided locally by tenured and empowered bankers. This team is made up of some of the region’s most respected financial professionals who embody the kind of high-touch, advisory-focused service that sets Pinnacle apart.”
Richmond Team Overview
- Chris Daniels brings more than 35 years of experience in commercial banking. Most recently, she led the commercial banking team for Wells Fargo in Central Virginia and serves on the boards of Venture Richmond, Chamber RVA and The Perkinson Center for the Arts and Education.
- Suzanne Gardner has nearly 25 years of commercial banking experience, most recently managing a portfolio of middle market and corporate clients. She currently serves on the boards of Sports Backers and CREW Richmond.
- David Marino has four decades of experience, including 35 years in Richmond. He formerly led new business acquisition across Virginia for Wells Fargo and previously held roles in capital markets and institutional trading.
- Wes Baskerville has more than 20 years of experience in commercial banking, with a background in regional leadership and relationship management.
- Crystal Hedrick, a Virginia Commonwealth University graduate, brings 10 years of client service experience and most recently worked as a relationship associate at Wells Fargo.
- Frank Meade joined Pinnacle in 2022 and brings 34 years of experience in commercial banking and corporate finance.
- Wendy Inge joined the firm in 2024 after 30 years in the legal and financial services industries, with 10 years focused on law firm banking.
The team will initially operate out of a temporary Richmond location before transitioning to a full-service office currently under development.
“Expanding into Richmond is a significant step toward completing our footprint in Virginia, allowing us to serve nearly the entire state with the same level of service and expertise that has made us a nationwide leader in financial services,” Terry Turner, Pinnacle’s president and CEO, said. “We’ve successfully replicated our model in multiple Southeastern markets, and Richmond is a natural fit for it. Our client-centric approach earned Pinnacle 30 Coalition Greenwich Best Brand awards in 2025, more than any other bank in the nation, further solidifying our reputation for excellence in financial services.”
Pinnacle entered the Virginia market in 2017 through its acquisition of BNC Bancorp. The firm’s Virginia operations include 159 associates and nearly $4.7 billion in combined loans and deposits across Roanoke, Lynchburg, and the National Capital Region as of March 31, 2025.
Pinnacle Financial Partners provides a full range of banking, investment, trust, mortgage, and insurance services for businesses and individuals. The firm is headquartered in Nashville and operates across urban markets in the Southeast. As of Dec. 31, 2024, Pinnacle reported $52.6 billion in assets.
