Synovus, the Columbus, Georgia-based financial services company, recently announced the winners of its annual Chairman’s Awards. Darron Burnette, Synovus’ Statesboro-based division CEO, received the James H. Blanchard Leadership Award. Burnette joined Sea Island Bank as executive vice president in 2002 and was appointed division CEO in January 2017.
The James H. Blanchard Leadership Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate the best use of leadership and interpersonal skills such as teamwork, communication, and coaching in various corporate, departmental, and community roles. It was named after retired Chairman and CEO James H. Blanchard, who set a high standard for leadership throughout his 36-year tenure at Synovus.
Burnette’s nomination noted, in part:
“He fully engages in such a way that whatever the cause – his leadership, passion, and commitment leave each one notably enriched. He works tirelessly to improve our community, using his inclusive, optimistic, and encouraging style to bring diverse interests together for the common good. His leadership is defined by both inclusion and effectiveness – an outcome that takes remarkable interpersonal skill to achieve. He is not one who is waiting for someone or something to happen. He is the one who is making it happen. If it has value and benefits our county, he’s involved in it.”
The James H. Blanchard Leadership Award, the James D. Yancey Customer Covenant Award, the William B. Turner Community Impact Award, and the Synovus Game Changer Award honor team members who best represent the company’s culture and its focus on leadership, customer satisfaction, serving others, and innovation. Winners of the awards, which are collectively known as the Chairman’s Awards, are selected from nominations submitted by team members across Synovus’ five-state footprint.
Synovus Financial Corp. is a financial services company with approximately $31 billion in assets. Synovus provides commercial and retail banking, investment, and mortgage services through 250 branches in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee.