Pinnacle Financial Partners Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

Pinnacle Financial Partners has 10 executives leading key functions including corporate strategy, information technology, financial oversight, legal compliance, and regional market development.

Focused on delivering personalized banking and wealth management solutions, Pinnacle Financial Partners empowers commercial and consumer clients through strategic financial guidance and comprehensive asset management services.

Leadership Roles at Pinnacle Financial Partners

  • President & Chief Executive Officer, Director & Chair, Executive Committee - Kevin Blair
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - Harold Carpenter
  • Executive Vice President & Regional President - Ro Ellenburg
  • Market President - Chad Wiggins
  • Chief of Staff - Matthew Paluch
  • Chief of Staff, Corporate Platforms - Jannefer Barker
  • Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer - Casey Toops
  • Divisional Chief Information Officer & Managing Director, Core Banking Platforms & Integration - Santosh Kokate
  • Chief Legal Officer - Justin Hayden
  • City Executive - Cournee Small
  • Kevin Blair - President & Chief Executive Officer, Director & Chair, Executive Committee

    Kevin Blair, the President & Chief Executive Officer, Director & Chair, Executive Committee at Pinnacle Financial Partners, directs the overarching strategic vision and operational execution for the entire organization. By overseeing the executive committee, the President & Chief Executive Officer, Director & Chair, Executive Committee ensures alignment across all banking, investment, and trust divisions. This leadership role involves driving long-term growth initiatives while maintaining rigorous standards for risk management and client service excellence. Kevin Blair actively shapes the corporate culture to prioritize personalized financial relationships, ensuring that the firm remains competitive within the broader financial services landscape. Through consistent engagement with the board, the President & Chief Executive Officer, Director & Chair, Executive Committee secures the stability and future trajectory of the company, ultimately fostering sustainable value for shareholders and clients alike across all regional markets.
    Kevin Blair

    Harold Carpenter - Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    Harold Carpenter, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Pinnacle Financial Partners, manages the firm's financial health, including capital allocation, treasury management, and fiscal reporting. By overseeing the company's balance sheet and investment strategies, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer ensures that the organization maintains the liquidity and stability required to support its extensive range of banking and wealth management services. This role involves providing critical financial analysis to the board and executive team, guiding decisions that impact long-term growth and risk protection. Harold Carpenter drives the development of financial policies that align with the firm's commitment to personalized service and strategic guidance. Through the rigorous oversight of fiscal operations, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer secures the financial foundation of the company, enabling the delivery of tailored financial products to commercial and consumer clients across all markets.

    Ro Ellenburg - Executive Vice President & Regional President

    Ro Ellenburg, the Executive Vice President & Regional President at Pinnacle Financial Partners, directs the strategic operations and growth initiatives across a designated geographic region. By overseeing the performance of multiple banking markets, the Executive Vice President & Regional President ensures that the firm's comprehensive range of financial services is delivered effectively to commercial and consumer clients. This role involves managing regional teams, driving revenue growth, and maintaining high standards of service excellence in alignment with corporate goals. Ro Ellenburg collaborates with other executive leaders to refine regional strategies, ensuring that the firm's personalized approach to wealth management and lending remains competitive. Through the oversight of regional operations, the Executive Vice President & Regional President supports the company's mission to provide tailored financial products, fostering long-term relationships and expanding the firm's footprint within the broader financial services landscape.

    Chad Wiggins - Market President

    Chad Wiggins, the Market President at Pinnacle Financial Partners, manages the operational success and client engagement strategies within a specific financial market. By overseeing the delivery of banking, investment, and trust services, the Market President ensures that the firm's personalized financial solutions meet the unique requirements of local businesses and individuals. This role involves driving business development, managing local talent, and ensuring that the firm's strategic guidance is effectively communicated to clients. Chad Wiggins collaborates with regional leadership to align market-specific activities with the company's overarching goals, fostering growth and maintaining high levels of client satisfaction. Through the active management of market operations, the Market President supports the firm's commitment to building long-term financial relationships, ensuring that the company remains a trusted partner for all financial objectives within the assigned territory.

    Matthew Paluch - Chief of Staff

    Matthew Paluch, the Chief of Staff at Pinnacle Financial Partners, coordinates high-level administrative operations and facilitates communication between the executive leadership team and various business units. By managing critical projects and streamlining internal workflows, the Chief of Staff ensures that organizational objectives remain on track. This role involves synthesizing complex data to support decision-making processes, allowing the firm to respond effectively to evolving market demands in banking and wealth management. Matthew Paluch maintains oversight of key initiatives that bridge the gap between strategic planning and daily execution, ensuring that all departments operate with maximum efficiency. Through the facilitation of cross-functional collaboration, the Chief of Staff drives operational excellence, enabling the company to deliver consistent, high-quality financial products to commercial and consumer clients while supporting the broader mission of building enduring financial relationships.

    Jannefer Barker - Chief of Staff, Corporate Platforms

    Jannefer Barker, the Chief of Staff, Corporate Platforms at Pinnacle Financial Partners, manages the integration and optimization of internal corporate systems that support the firm's diverse banking and insurance offerings. By overseeing the alignment of platform capabilities with business requirements, the Chief of Staff, Corporate Platforms ensures that technological infrastructure remains robust and scalable. This leadership function involves coordinating with department heads to refine operational processes, thereby enhancing the delivery of personalized financial services to a wide range of clients. Jannefer Barker drives initiatives that improve internal productivity and data management, which are essential for maintaining the company's competitive edge in the financial services sector. Through the rigorous oversight of corporate platforms, the Chief of Staff, Corporate Platforms supports the firm's commitment to providing tailored financial products, ensuring that all internal systems facilitate seamless service delivery and long-term client success.

    Casey Toops - Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer

    Casey Toops, the Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer at Pinnacle Financial Partners, architects the digital strategy and technological framework necessary to support the company's comprehensive banking and investment services. By overseeing the development of secure, efficient information systems, the Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer ensures that client data remains protected while enabling innovative financial solutions. This role involves managing large-scale IT initiatives that enhance the user experience for both commercial and consumer clients, driving digital transformation across the organization. Casey Toops collaborates with other executive leaders to align technology investments with the firm's broader financial objectives, ensuring that infrastructure supports growth and operational resilience. Through the continuous improvement of digital capabilities, the Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer maintains the firm's position as a leader in modern financial services, providing the tools required for effective wealth management and treasury operations.
    Casey Toops

    Santosh Kokate - Divisional Chief Information Officer & Managing Director, Core Banking Platforms & Integration

    Santosh Kokate, the Divisional Chief Information Officer & Managing Director, Core Banking Platforms & Integration at Pinnacle Financial Partners, directs the modernization and maintenance of the firm's essential banking software and system integrations. By overseeing the technical architecture of core platforms, the Divisional Chief Information Officer & Managing Director, Core Banking Platforms & Integration ensures that all financial transactions and data processing occur with high reliability and speed. This role involves managing complex integration projects that connect various banking, mortgage, and insurance services into a unified, efficient ecosystem. Santosh Kokate drives the implementation of advanced banking technologies that allow the firm to offer personalized financial products to a diverse client base. Through the strategic management of core platforms, the Divisional Chief Information Officer & Managing Director, Core Banking Platforms & Integration supports the company's mission to provide seamless, high-performance financial services across all operational regions.
    Justin Hayden, the Chief Legal Officer at Pinnacle Financial Partners, directs the legal and regulatory compliance framework for all banking, investment, and insurance activities. By overseeing the firm's adherence to complex financial laws, the Chief Legal Officer ensures that all products and services meet rigorous industry standards and protect the interests of both the company and its clients. This role involves managing legal risks associated with lending, wealth management, and treasury operations, providing essential guidance to the executive team on governance and policy matters. Justin Hayden drives initiatives that foster a culture of integrity and transparency, which are fundamental to building long-term financial relationships. Through the proactive management of legal affairs, the Chief Legal Officer supports the firm's strategic objectives, ensuring that all business practices remain compliant while facilitating the delivery of innovative financial solutions to individuals and organizations.
    Justin Hayden

    Cournee Small - City Executive

    Cournee Small, the City Executive at Pinnacle Financial Partners, oversees the delivery of banking and financial services within a specific urban market, ensuring that the firm's personalized approach reaches local commercial and consumer clients. By managing local operations and fostering community relationships, the City Executive drives business development and client acquisition efforts. This role involves coordinating with regional leadership to implement corporate strategies while tailoring financial products to meet the unique needs of the local market. Cournee Small maintains oversight of service quality and operational performance, ensuring that the firm's commitment to strategic guidance is consistently met. Through the effective management of local resources, the City Executive supports the company's broader mission of building enduring financial relationships, contributing to the firm's overall growth and market impact by providing high-touch, personalized banking solutions to the community.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Pinnacle Financial Partners Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Pinnacle Financial Partners?
    Pinnacle Financial Partners is led by Kevin Blair (President & Chief Executive Officer, Director & Chair, Executive Committee), along with executives such as Harold Carpenter (Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer) and Ro Ellenburg (Executive Vice President & Regional President).
    Who is part of Pinnacle Financial Partners’s executive team?
    The executive team of Pinnacle Financial Partners includes leaders such as Kevin Blair (President & Chief Executive Officer, Director & Chair, Executive Committee), Harold Carpenter (Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer), Ro Ellenburg (Executive Vice President & Regional President) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Pinnacle Financial Partners have?
    Pinnacle Financial Partners has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Pinnacle Financial Partners’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Pinnacle Financial Partners includes roles such as President & Chief Executive Officer, Director & Chair, Executive Committee, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President & Regional President, Market President, Chief of Staff.