News Summary
Pinnacle Financial Partners has expanded its Riverside office in Jacksonville by adding five new leadership positions, including seasoned professional Abel Harding. Harding will serve as a financial advisor and area manager, focusing on market growth and community engagement. Alongside him, four other professionals with extensive banking experience will strengthen Pinnacle’s presence in the area. This strategic move is part of their ongoing efforts to enhance service offerings and deepen community connections in Northeast Florida.
Jacksonville – Pinnacle Financial Partners has announced the addition of five new leadership positions at its Riverside office as part of its ongoing expansion efforts in the Jacksonville area. Among the new hires is Abel Harding, a seasoned professional in the financial services sector and an engaged civic leader.
Harding, who previously held the role of executive vice president and market president for First Horizon Bank, joins Pinnacle after leaving his position in late May. At Pinnacle, he will operate as a financial advisor and area manager, focusing on fostering growth in the market and strengthening ties with local business communities. His extensive experience in financial services, market development, and civic engagement will be instrumental as the company aims to enhance its presence in the region.
Scott Keith, the regional president at Pinnacle, has praised Harding’s arrival, labeling him a “game-changer” in advancing the bank’s expansion initiatives in Jacksonville. Harding’s notable background includes serving as market president for IberiaBank during its entry into the Jacksonville market in 2015, and leading both commercial and consumer banking growth at First Horizon in key Florida metropolitan areas.
In addition to Harding, Pinnacle has also welcomed four other professionals to its team:
- Ross McWilliams, a financial advisor formerly in charge of homebuilder banking at Ameris Bank.
- Austin Davis, set to serve as the office leader, bringing over 16 years of banking experience from his prior role at Truist Bank.
- Chris Winsett, a financial advisor with over 26 years of strategic financial advising experience, previously associated with Regions Bank and Truist.
- Megan Kiker, a treasury sales analyst with more than 17 years at Wells Fargo specializing in treasury management.
Pinnacle Financial Partners made its entry into the Northeast Florida market in 2024, having established its Jacksonville headquarters at 501 Riverside Avenue. This addition follows the expansion of its Ponte Vedra Beach office into a full-service location earlier in May of the same year. Since its inception in Nashville in October 2000, Pinnacle has exhibited impressive growth, currently boasting approximately $54.3 billion in assets as of March 31, 2025.
Today, Pinnacle Financial Partners stands as the second-largest bank holding company headquartered in Tennessee, with operations extending across 17 urban markets throughout the Southeastern United States. The company is consistently recognized for its exceptional workplace culture, having been listed among FORTUNE magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For and acknowledged as one of America’s Best Banks to Work For by American Banker.
This strategic expansion of leadership roles is a part of Pinnacle’s overarching commitment to enhance its service offerings in Jacksonville and strengthen its competitive capabilities in the financial services sector. With the addition of such experienced professionals, Pinnacle aims to bolster its market position and deepen its community engagement in the region.
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Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
