Synovus Financial in Columbus, Ga., has tapped President and Chief Operating Officer Kevin Blair to succeed Kessel Stelling as CEO next year.
Blair, 50, will replace Stelling on or around April 21, when the company hosts its annual meeting, the $53 billion-asset Synovus said Thursday. He will also immediately join the company's board.
Stelling, 64, will transition to a new role as executive chairman.
“Kevin and I, along with our entire executive leadership team, have worked closely together over the past several years to grow our company and to effectively navigate and overcome challenges,” Stelling said in a Thursday press release. “Kevin’s leadership strengths, innovative mindset, and commitment to our people-first culture and communities make him the right leader for this company at the right time.”
Before Blair
Currently, Blair oversees all of the company’s core banking and business specialty lines, technology, human resources, operations, credit, marketing, customer experience and corporate strategy.
Stelling joined Synovus since 2006 when it bought Riverside Bancshares, a bank he had founded. He was named Synovus' president and COO in February 2010 and became CEO in October of that year.
Stelling has been credited with
Stelling will serve as executive chairman until Jan. 1, 2023, and will hold an advisory role until Jan. 1, 2025.
Synovus has not yet named a president and COO to succeed Blair.
