Veteran Banking Leader Jay Dale Joins Pinnacle's Local Leadership Team

Jay Dale, a 32-year banking veteran, has joined Pinnacle Financial Partners. Dale will be one of Pinnacle’s Area Executives leading a group of bankers in the firm’s Client Advisory Group. He will join one of the most experienced leadership teams in the Chattanooga market including Craig Holley, Kenny Dyer, Ryan Murphy, Mark Feemster, and Michael Mathis.

“Jay is one of Chattanooga’s top business and civic leaders.” said Craig Holley, Pinnacle’s Southeast Tennessee Chairman. “He’s a well-respected, veteran banker who brings deep knowledge and experience to our firm. Jay’s leadership will help accelerate Pinnacle’s already strong growth and momentum in the Chattanooga market.”

Dale said, “I’m excited to join the Pinnacle leadership team in Chattanooga. Pinnacle has an outstanding reputation of being a great place to work and their client satisfaction metrics continue to lead the industry.” Dale stated, “I look forward to contributing to the bank’s continued success.”

Dale has decades of local banking experience and is deeply embedded in the business community. He has been working in the Chattanooga market since 1997 and began working for First Horizon in 2010. He has held positions of increasing responsibility, becoming the First Horizon market President in 2018. Dale, along with Feemster and Mathis, will lead a group of 28 financial advisors in the Client Advisory Group who provide business, commercial, and private client services to companies and their owners throughout the region.

“Jay is an outstanding banker and has been a tough competitor over the years.” said Kenny Dyer, Pinnacle’s Regional President. “We are so very fortunate to have him to join the Pinnacle team in Chattanooga.”

About Pinnacle Financial Partners

Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. (“Pinnacle”) is a $119.1 billion asset regional bank which provides a full range of banking, investment, trust, mortgage and insurance products and services for commercial and consumer clients who want a comprehensive relationship with their financial institution. The firm joined forces with Synovus Financial Corp. in 2026, bringing together more than 160 years of combined banking service. Pinnacle is the largest bank headquartered in Tennessee and the largest bank holding company headquartered in Georgia. The firm is No. 1 in deposit market share* in the Nashville MSA and No. 4 in the Atlanta MSA with offices in Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Kentucky, Virginia and Maryland.

Pinnacle is an employer of choice for financial services professionals. The firm is No. 12 in the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® in 2026, its 10th consecutive appearance.  Pinnacle was also recognized by American Banker as No. 4 among America’s Best Banks to Work For in 2025, its 13th consecutive year on the list, and No. 1 among banks with more than $10 billion in assets. Learn more about Pinnacle at PNFP.com.

*As of June 30, 2025, according to FDIC data.