Eddie Alford Named a Top Diversity and Inclusion Officer by the Nashville Business Journal

Efforts to further Pinnacle Financial Partners diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are being recognized in the communities it serves. Recently, Eddie Alford, Pinnacle’s director of diversity, equity and inclusion, was selected as an honoree of the Nashville Business Journal’s inaugural Leaders in Diversity awards in the Top Diversity and Inclusion Officer category. This program aims to recognize those who are working to improve diversity and inclusion in the Nashville business community.

“In 2020 Pinnacle launched formal efforts to further diversity, equity and inclusion in our firm,” said Summer Yeiser, director of associate and client experience for Pinnacle. “Eddie took the lead on our DEI initiatives and was intentional to align them in a manner that would be woven into every aspect of our culture. Instead of asking leadership to adopt a different paradigm, he has embedded DEI into current day-to-day practices and strategic direction."

During his time as director of DEI, Eddie started several initiatives that are still in place today, including the formation of DEI Councils in our geographic markets, which is consistent with our geographic model of local decision-making.

“We believe a strong and diverse team is critical to our success and performance as a firm,” said Alford. “As an active member of our communities we are committed to being more focused in our efforts to ensure we are creating a great place to work for all guided by our Diversity and Inclusion policy. We also recognize that many people, groups and communities face barriers to equal employment and economic opportunity, and we at Pinnacle are committed to helping people overcome these barriers.”

The qualifying criteria for being included on this prestigious list included a look at who is making progress, who has an idea that’s working and who is making change a priority.

Pinnacle Financial Partners provides a full range of banking, investment, trust, mortgage and insurance products and services designed for businesses and their owners and individuals interested in a comprehensive relationship with their financial institution. The firm is the No. 1 bank in the Nashville-Murfreesboro-Franklin MSA, according to 2022 deposit data from the FDIC, is listed by Forbes as No. 27 among America’s Best Banks, higher than any other bank headquartered in Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina or Georgia. Pinnacle also earned a spot on the 2023 list of 100 Best Companies to Work For® in the U.S., its seventh consecutive appearance and was recognized by American Banker as one of America’s Best Banks to Work For 10 years in a row and No. 1 among banks with more than $11 billion in assets in 2022.

Pinnacle owns a 49 percent interest in BHG Financial, which provides innovative, hassle-free financial solutions to healthcare practitioners and other professionals. Great Place to Work and FORTUNE have listed BHG as a best workplace in multiple categories since 2016.

The firm began operations in a single location in downtown Nashville, TN, in October 2000 and has since grown to approximately $46.9 billion in assets as of June 30, 2023.  As the second-largest bank holding company headquartered in Tennessee, Pinnacle operates in 17 primarily urban markets across the Southeast.

Additional information concerning Pinnacle, which is included in the Nasdaq Financial-100 Index, can be accessed at www.pnfp.com.