Pinnacle Financial Partners Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Pinnacle Financial Partners has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, financial management, technology, corporate platforms, human resources, market expansion, mortgage lending, specialty finance, and trust services.

Committed to a relationship-driven banking model, Pinnacle Financial Partners delivers comprehensive financial solutions to businesses and individuals across the Southeast while maintaining a culture of excellence.

Leadership Roles at Pinnacle Financial Partners

  • President and CEO, Director & Chair of the Executive Committee - Kevin Blair
  • Chief Financial Officer, Financial Management Services - Shirley Cargill
  • Market President - Chad Wiggins
  • President Pinnacle Synovus Mortgage - Darron Burnette
  • President, Equipment Finance & Specialty Industries - Christie Foster
  • President Synovus Trust - Elizabeth Rodgers
  • Chief of Staff - Adena Puchalski
  • Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer - Casey Toops
  • Chief of Staff, Corporate Platforms - Jannefer Barker
  • Chief People Officer - Summer Yeiser
  • Kevin Blair - President and CEO, Director & Chair of the Executive Committee

    Kevin Blair, the President and CEO, Director & Chair of the Executive Committee at Pinnacle Financial Partners, directs the overarching strategic vision and long-term growth trajectory of the organization. Overseeing the integration of the recent merger with Synovus Financial Corp., the President and CEO ensures the combined entity achieves its goal of becoming a top-tier U.S. lender with over $116 billion in assets. This leadership role involves constant collaboration with the Board to refine corporate governance and market positioning across the Southeast. By prioritizing a people-centric culture, Kevin Blair fosters an environment that attracts top-tier financial talent. The President and CEO maintains focus on delivering consistent value to shareholders while expanding the firm's footprint in urban markets. Through rigorous oversight of the executive committee, Blair drives operational efficiency and ensures the bank remains a premier workplace for financial professionals.
    Kevin Blair

    Shirley Cargill - Chief Financial Officer, Financial Management Services

    Shirley Cargill, the Chief Financial Officer, Financial Management Services at Pinnacle Financial Partners, oversees the fiscal health and capital allocation strategies of the organization. Directing the financial reporting and budgeting processes, the Chief Financial Officer ensures the firm maintains a robust balance sheet capable of supporting $116 billion in assets. This leadership role involves managing the complexities of the recent merger with Synovus Financial Corp. to maximize shareholder value. Shirley Cargill monitors market trends across Tennessee, the Carolinas, Virginia, and Alabama to inform investment and trust product development. By implementing rigorous financial controls, the Chief Financial Officer mitigates risk while fueling the bank's expansion into new urban territories. The Chief Financial Officer collaborates with the executive team to align fiscal policy with the firm's people-centric service model. Ultimately, Cargill secures the financial foundation necessary for sustained growth and long-term profitability.

    Chad Wiggins - Market President

    Chad Wiggins, the Market President at Pinnacle Financial Partners, directs the regional business development and client relationship strategies within specific urban markets. Overseeing the delivery of banking, mortgage, and insurance products, the Market President ensures the firm's people-centric model remains the primary driver of local growth. This role involves managing a team of experienced financial professionals to provide tailored advice to affluent individuals and mid-sized businesses. Chad Wiggins monitors competitive dynamics in the Southeast to identify new opportunities for market penetration. By fostering deep community connections, the Market President strengthens the bank's presence and reputation. The Market President collaborates with corporate leadership to implement national strategies at the local level, ensuring consistent service quality. Through active management of regional portfolios, Wiggins drives revenue growth and supports the firm's overall mission of providing distinctive financial solutions. The Market President remains focused on expanding the client base while maintaining high service standards.

    Darron Burnette - President Pinnacle Synovus Mortgage

    Darron Burnette, the President Pinnacle Synovus Mortgage at Pinnacle Financial Partners, leads the strategic expansion and operational performance of the mortgage lending division. Overseeing the origination and servicing of home loans, the President Pinnacle Synovus Mortgage ensures the firm provides competitive financing solutions to its client base. This role involves navigating the complexities of the housing market across the Southeast to drive volume and profitability. Darron Burnette manages the integration of mortgage operations following the merger with Synovus Financial Corp. to create a unified lending platform. By optimizing the loan process, the President Pinnacle Synovus Mortgage enhances the client experience and supports the bank's relationship-driven approach. The President Pinnacle Synovus Mortgage collaborates with other business units to cross-sell banking and insurance products. Through rigorous risk management and market analysis, Burnette ensures the mortgage division contributes significantly to the firm's $116 billion asset goal and long-term financial stability.
    Darron Burnette

    Christie Foster - President, Equipment Finance & Specialty Industries

    Christie Foster, the President, Equipment Finance & Specialty Industries at Pinnacle Financial Partners, directs the specialized lending activities that support the capital needs of mid-sized businesses. Overseeing the development of tailored equipment financing and industry-specific solutions, the President, Equipment Finance & Specialty Industries ensures the firm provides distinctive value to its commercial clients. This role involves managing complex credit portfolios and identifying growth sectors across the Southeast. Christie Foster leads a team of experts to deliver customized financial advice that aligns with the bank's people-centric model. By expanding the reach of specialty finance, the President, Equipment Finance & Specialty Industries drives revenue diversification and strengthens the firm's market position. The President, Equipment Finance & Specialty Industries collaborates with regional leadership to ensure seamless service delivery. Through strategic focus on high-growth industries, Foster supports the bank's overall mission of providing comprehensive financial products to businesses.
    Christie Foster

    Elizabeth Rodgers - President Synovus Trust

    Elizabeth Rodgers, the President Synovus Trust at Pinnacle Financial Partners, manages the fiduciary services and wealth management strategies for affluent individuals and institutional clients. Overseeing the administration of trust assets, the President Synovus Trust ensures the firm delivers high-quality, relationship-driven advice that preserves and grows client wealth. This role involves navigating complex regulatory environments and market conditions to provide sound investment guidance. Elizabeth Rodgers leads the integration of trust services following the merger with Synovus Financial Corp. to enhance the firm's wealth management capabilities. By focusing on personalized service, the President Synovus Trust strengthens long-term client relationships and drives fee-based revenue. The President Synovus Trust collaborates with other business units to provide a holistic financial experience. Through strategic oversight of trust operations, Rodgers supports the firm's mission of providing distinctive financial solutions and contributes to the overall growth of the bank's asset base.

    Adena Puchalski - Chief of Staff

    Adena Puchalski, the Chief of Staff at Pinnacle Financial Partners, manages the daily operational flow and strategic priorities for the executive office. Coordinating cross-functional initiatives, the Chief of Staff ensures alignment between senior leadership and the broader organizational objectives. This role involves facilitating communication across the 15 primary urban markets to maintain the firm's relationship-driven service model. Adena Puchalski optimizes internal processes to support the bank's growth and the recent merger integration. By streamlining decision-making protocols, the Chief of Staff enables the executive team to focus on high-impact business outcomes. The Chief of Staff monitors key performance indicators to track progress against the firm's mission of providing distinctive financial advice. Through proactive management of complex projects, Puchalski secures operational continuity and supports the long-term stability of the institution as it scales its asset base across the Southeast.

    Casey Toops - Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer

    Casey Toops, the Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer at Pinnacle Financial Partners, architects the digital infrastructure and technological capabilities that support the bank's diverse product suite. Overseeing the modernization of banking platforms, the Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer ensures secure and efficient delivery of mortgage, insurance, and investment services. This role involves integrating complex systems following the merger with Synovus Financial Corp. to provide a seamless experience for clients across the Southeast. Casey Toops drives innovation in cybersecurity and data analytics to protect the firm's assets and enhance relationship-driven advice. By aligning technology investments with business goals, the Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer supports the firm's status as a top workplace. The Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer manages the technical teams responsible for maintaining high-availability systems. Through strategic digital transformation, Toops enables the bank to scale operations effectively in competitive urban markets.
    Casey Toops

    Jannefer Barker - Chief of Staff, Corporate Platforms

    Jannefer Barker, the Chief of Staff, Corporate Platforms at Pinnacle Financial Partners, directs the operational framework and internal systems that sustain the firm's corporate functions. Coordinating the integration of shared services, the Chief of Staff, Corporate Platforms ensures that administrative and operational workflows remain consistent across all regional markets. This role involves optimizing the infrastructure that supports the bank's full suite of banking and trust products. Jannefer Barker facilitates collaboration between departments to maintain the high standards of the firm's people-centric model. By refining corporate platforms, the Chief of Staff, Corporate Platforms enhances the efficiency of the organization during the transition into a larger, $116 billion asset entity. The Chief of Staff, Corporate Platforms monitors the effectiveness of internal support systems to ensure all financial professionals have the tools required for client success. Through meticulous platform management, Barker drives operational excellence and supports the firm's long-term strategic objectives.

    Summer Yeiser - Chief People Officer

    Summer Yeiser, the Chief People Officer at Pinnacle Financial Partners, leads the human capital strategy that sustains the firm's reputation as a top workplace. Overseeing talent acquisition and professional development, the Chief People Officer ensures the bank continues to hire experienced financial professionals with over 20 years of industry expertise. This role involves fostering a culture that supports the relationship-driven advice model across the Southeast. Summer Yeiser manages the integration of personnel following the merger with Synovus Financial Corp. to maintain organizational cohesion. By designing comprehensive benefits and engagement programs, the Chief People Officer drives employee retention and satisfaction. The Chief People Officer collaborates with leadership to align workforce capabilities with the bank's growth targets in urban markets. Through strategic human resources management, Yeiser ensures the firm remains a destination for top-tier talent, directly impacting the quality of service provided to small and mid-sized businesses.
    Summer Yeiser

    Explore Leadership Teams in Banking

    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 and CEO, Director & Chair of the Executive Committee), along with executives such as Shirley Cargill (Chief Financial Officer, Financial Management Services) and Chad Wiggins (Market 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 and CEO, Director & Chair of the Executive Committee), Shirley Cargill (Chief Financial Officer, Financial Management Services), Chad Wiggins (Market 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 and CEO, Director & Chair of the Executive Committee, Chief Financial Officer, Financial Management Services, Market President, President Pinnacle Synovus Mortgage, President, Equipment Finance & Specialty Industries.