Synovus Financial Corp. announced the appointment of President and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Blair to chairman of the board, effective Jan. 1, 2023.

Blair succeeds Kessel D. Stelling, who is retiring as chairman on Dec. 31, 2022, and will continue in an advisory role with the company until Jan. 1, 2025, as previously announced.

Blair has served as president and CEO of Synovus since April 2021. He joined Synovus in 2016 as executive vice president and chief financial officer. Blair was appointed senior executive vice president, chief operating officer in 2018.

Stelling was named Synovus president and chief operating officer in February 2010 and president and chief executive officer in October 2010. He has served as chairman of the board since Jan. 1, 2012.