Kessel D. Stelling has been leading Synovus Financial Corp. since 2010 and became the CEO on October 7 of that year. His journey in banking started in 1974. He spent a significant part of his career at Synovus's subsidiary, Bank...

Kessel D. Stelling has been leading Synovus Financial Corp. since 2010 and became the CEO on October 7 of that year. His journey in banking started in 1974. He spent a significant part of his career at Synovus's subsidiary, Bank of North Georgia, where he served as the CEO from December 2006 until 2010 before taking the helm at Synovus. Kessel’s leadership appears to focus on aligning executive pay with the company's performance, which is evident through their strong performance metrics like adjusted earnings per share and return on assets. He has a noteworthy compensation history, earning around $5 million in 2022, with stock awards playing a major role in his income but with no cash bonuses awarded in recent years. He has consistently been involved in overseeing robust initiatives for community and environmental engagement, while Synovus under his watch has made a significant impact through loans and charitable contributions. Following a lengthy career, he's transitioning from CEO to Executive Chairman in 2021, showcasing a commitment to helping Synovus navigate its future as an advisor. His insider trading activity also shows a high level of confidence in Synovus, with transactions involving millions of dollars at crucial points during his tenure, such as over $20 million in stock changes back in 2021. Kessel brings a rich background of finance and community-focused banking that has shaped Synovus into the company it is today.