News Summary
Pinnacle Financial Partners and Synovus Financial Corp. have announced new leadership appointments as part of their merger strategy in Georgia. The firms aim to enhance community services and maintain local leadership while they prepare for the merger, expected to close in early 2026. Key appointments include Heath Schondelmayer as regional president and Will Thompson as regional leader in Phenix City. Their commitment to understanding community needs is crucial as they work towards becoming a leading regional bank in the Southeast.
Columbus, Georgia – Pinnacle Financial Partners and Synovus Financial Corp. have announced new appointments for market and specialty banking leaders across Georgia as part of their merger strategy. This move aims to create a leading regional bank in the Southeast.
The merger between the two firms is anticipated to close in the first quarter of 2026, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals. Until the merger process is completed, both Pinnacle and Synovus will continue to operate as independent entities.
As part of their commitment to local leadership, Charlie Clark, who holds the position of Synovus president of community banking and serves as the Georgia geography leader for the combined firm, underscored the significance of understanding community needs through experienced local leadership.
New Leadership Appointments
As part of the new leadership structure, Heath Schondelmayer has been designated as the regional president for several key areas, including Columbus, LaGrange, Warner Robbins, Phenix City, and Macon. Schondelmayer brings over 25 years of banking experience to the role and has previously served as the CEO of West Central Georgia and East Alabama since 2022.
Additionally, Will Thompson has been appointed as the regional leader for the Phenix City division, with a career at Synovus spanning back to 1999. These leadership appointments reflect both companies’ strong commitment to maintaining robust community ties while expanding client services through local teams.
Aligning with Geographic Models
The new leadership structure aligns closely with Pinnacle’s geographic model, which emphasizes localized control and community-based decision-making. This structure has demonstrated success, as highlighted by Rob McCabe, Pinnacle’s founder and chairman. He noted that empowering experienced local leaders has been a significant factor in the substantial growth that both Pinnacle and Synovus have experienced.
Pinnacle Financial Partners is currently recognized as the No. 1 bank in the Nashville-Murfreesboro-Franklin metropolitan statistical area, according to FDIC deposit data from 2025. In contrast, Synovus Financial Corp., based in Columbus, Georgia, has approximately $60 billion in managed assets and operates 244 branches across multiple states, including Georgia, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Commitment to Community Services
The newly appointed leaders aim to enhance communities by providing tailored financial services that cater to the specific needs of their respective regions. Their focus on local leadership will allow both Pinnacle and Synovus to serve their clients more effectively and responsively as they prepare for the forthcoming merger.
In conclusion, the strategic leadership appointments made by Pinnacle Financial Partners and Synovus Financial Corp. are designed to strengthen their combined presence in Georgia while remaining committed to community engagement and service enhancement as they work through the merger process.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Pinnacle Financial Partners News Release
- Ledger-Enquirer
- Jax Daily Record
- Google Search: Pinnacle Financial Partners Synovus
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Pinnacle Financial Partners
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