Kelly S. King has been at the helm of Truist Financial Corporation since its formation in 2019, but he's been in the game much longer. He started his journey with BB&T back in 1972 and made his way up the...

Kelly S. King has been at the helm of Truist Financial Corporation since its formation in 2019, but he's been in the game much longer. He started his journey with BB&T back in 1972 and made his way up the ranks over nearly five decades. One of his key moves was focusing on pay that matches performance, which means he earns more when the company does better. For example, in 2021, he raked in about $15 million, tying most of that to how well the bank performed. Instead of cash bonuses alone, he prefers stock rewards that encourage long-term success. Living through the 2008 financial crisis, he helped steer the company to stability, making smart decisions that supported shareholders and employees alike. Kelly's leadership style is aimed at aligning the interests of executives with those of investors. After all these years, he’s still going strong and has even adjusted his contract to stay on longer, signifying the trust the board has in him. He has also made a mark in the banking community, being called one of the most influential figures in banking. Educationally, he holds a degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, grounding his extensive experience in solid financial know-how.