Pinnacle Financial Partners names Douglas Hromco as chief security officer

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Key Terms

fraud prevention technical

Fraud prevention is the set of policies, tools and checks an organization uses to stop dishonest schemes like false accounting, embezzlement or scams before they happen; think of it as the locks, alarms and identity checks businesses use to keep money and information safe. It matters to investors because effective fraud prevention reduces the risk of sudden financial losses, costly legal trouble and damage to a company’s reputation, all of which can hurt share value.

information security technical

Information security is the practice of protecting digital data and the systems that store, process, or transmit it from theft, damage, or unauthorized access. For investors it matters because breaches can lead to financial loss, legal penalties, operational disruption and damage to reputation—similar to a physical store losing inventory or customer trust—so stronger protections reduce risk and help preserve a company’s value.

cyber threats technical

Cyber threats are malicious actions by individuals or groups using computers and networks—like hackers, malware, or phishing—aimed at stealing data, disrupting operations, or taking control of systems. For investors, they matter because successful attacks can reduce revenue, increase costs, trigger regulatory penalties, and harm a company’s reputation, much like a burglar who damages a store or steals inventory and leaves customers wary, which can lower a company’s value and raise its risk.

05/07/2026 - 01:00 PM

Hromco succeeds CSO Kevin Gowen, who is retiring after 30 years of service

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pinnacle Financial Partners (NYSE: PNFP) has named Douglas Hromco as its new chief security officer. He will lead enterprise cybersecurity, fraud prevention and physical and information security strategies across the combined company and will be based at the firm’s holding company headquarters in Atlanta.

Doug Hromco has been named Chief Security Officer at Pinnacle Financial Partners.

“Doug has spent his career building and leading security programs inside complex financial institutions, and he’s earned the trust of boards, regulators and executive teams along the way,” said Zack Bishop, chief operating officer. “He understands how to bring together systems, people and processes in a way that protects clients and supports growth, which is exactly what we need as we continue to scale.”

This role is key to Pinnacle’s senior leadership team following its recent merger with Synovus, which created a $123 billion regional bank serving clients across the Southeast. The firm continues to invest in leadership, technology and risk management capabilities to support its growth while maintaining strong credit discipline and operational soundness.

“Security is fundamental to the trust our clients and shareholders place in us every day,” Hromco said. “As Pinnacle continues to grow, we have to be deliberate about protecting our clients, their information and the firm itself. What drew me here is a culture built on shared accountability, strong partnerships and doing the right thing the right way. When you combine that mindset with the talent and experience across our security teams, we are exceptionally well-positioned to support the company’s growth while maintaining the safety of our clients.”

Hromco steps into the role following the retirement of Kevin Gowen, who served as CSO at Synovus Financial Corp. for 30 years. During his tenure, Gowen led the company’s cyber and infrastructure security, providing strategic oversight of an evolving security landscape during rapid and sophisticated advances in cyber threats and technologies. At the same time, Synovus was on a steep growth trajectory, requiring scale and increased regulatory preparation as the bank came together under a single charter and brand.

“Kevin’s time at Synovus was transformative, and we’re so grateful for his steady leadership,” said Kevin Blair, Pinnacle president and CEO. “He’s built a solid foundation for the future that Douglas will lead into the next phase as one of the strongest and best regarded regional banks in the country.”

Hromco brings more than 25 years of experience in cybersecurity, risk management and technology leadership in financial services. Most recently, he was a managing director at Accenture, advising boards and executive teams on cybersecurity strategy, regulatory readiness and large-scale security transformation. He previously served as chief information security officer for a multi-state community bank, where he led enterprise security, cloud security, data privacy and identity and access management programs. Earlier in his career, he held senior cybersecurity and risk leadership roles at Huntington Bank and Nationwide Insurance.

Hromco holds an MBA from The Ohio State University and a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University and is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional. Coming to Atlanta from Columbus, Ohio, Hromco has served the community through board leadership at an early learning center for underserved families.

About Pinnacle Financial Partners

Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. (“Pinnacle”) is a $122.8 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.