Kessel Stelling

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