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Kessel Stelling

Retired Executive Chairman and CEO of Synovus

Kessel D. Stelling Jr. is the retired Executive Chairman and CEO of Synovus Financial Corp., a financial services company based in Columbus, Georgia.2 He served as the Chairman of the Board at Synovus from January 1, 2012, until his retirement on December 31, 2022.1

Career at Synovus

Stelling's tenure at Synovus included several key leadership roles:

  • Named President and Chief Operating Officer in February 2010
  • Appointed President and Chief Executive Officer in October 2010
  • Became Chairman of the Board on January 1, 20121

During his time at Synovus, Stelling was instrumental in building a talented, diverse, and cohesive board committed to strong governance practices.1

Transition and Legacy

On April 22, 2021, Stelling passed the CEO role to Kevin Blair, marking a significant transition for both himself and the company.3 Following this, he continued as Executive Chairman until his retirement from the board at the end of 2022. After stepping down, Stelling agreed to continue in an advisory role with Synovus until January 1, 2025.1

Recognition and Influence

Stelling's leadership has been widely recognized:

  • Included in Georgia Trend's "100 Most Influential Georgians" list5
  • Received the Wellstar Health System 2020 Visionary of the Year award4

Personal Approach

Throughout his career, Stelling has demonstrated a commitment to the success of Synovus and investment in its people. He has been described as a highly respected leader whose legacy is marked by strength and resiliency.1

Highlights

Apr 22 · linkedin

As I confidently pass the CEO reins to Kevin Blair, I couldn’t be more excited about our future at Synovus.

Jan 15 · linkedin

As we prepare to celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the way we can best honor his legacy is through action that counters the negative and brings forth the good.

Related Questions

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Kessel Stelling
Kessel Stelling, photo 1
Kessel Stelling, photo 2
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Experience

Executive Chairman and CEO of Synovus, Chairman and CEO of Riverside Bancshares Inc.

Location

Columbus, Georgia, United States