Meet our team

Meet our team in Sumter

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Melissa H. White

Market President, Sumter

For Melissa, banking is about working with people to learn about their companies and helping them grow those businesses. With 35 years’ banking experience, she often serves on local boards with business clients where their common goal is to make the community better. Melissa was recognized with the Sumter Junior Welfare League “Spirit of the League” award in 2015, and she became a member of the Synovus Chairman’s Club in 2016. A native of Columbia, S.C., she earned a bachelor’s in Finance from the University of South Carolina. Melissa is married and has two grown children. Her hobbies include reading, walking on the beach or hiking in the mountains, spending time with family and friends, painting, and listening to music.

Work in our community

  • Executive council of Sumter County HeartWalk
  • USC-Sumter Partnership Board
  • Sumter-Shaw Community Council
  • Past Chair rep Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce Board
  • Sumter Smarter Growth Initiative Board
  • Past Chairman Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce
  • Past Finance Chair and Board member SC Girl Scouts-Mountains to Midlands
  • Past Chairman Sumter County Gallery of Art
  • Past Treasurer Sumter County Museum
  • Past Board Congaree Land Trust
  • Past Honorary Commander 20th Fighter Wing Shaw AFB
  • Past Treasurer United Way of Sumter Lee and Clarendon Counties

Charlie Thompson

Retail Market Lead

A native of Sumter, Charlie Thompson joined Synovus in 2020. He holds two degrees from the University of South Carolina: a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in leadership. “I joined Synovus because I wanted to help as many customers as possible reach their financial goals,” he says. “Synovus has the perfect vision and culture to make our customers’ financial dreams come true. It’s a wonderful privilege to work for a company that cares.” Married with two sons, he enjoys being on the water.

Work in our community

  • Member, Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce
  • Member, Business Advantage Network BNI Group
  • 2020 Chairman’s Club Award winner

John C. Griggs, III

Market President
South Carolina Central Region

A native South Carolinian, John joined Synovus after earning his bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina. He is also a graduate of the South Carolina Bankers School, and the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. In 2017, John received two key honors; he was named Outstanding Young Banker for 2017 by the South Carolina Bankers Association, and he was selected by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce as the Young Professional of the Year. When he isn’t working, John enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, and watching Gamecock football.

Work in our community

  • Immediate Past Chair, Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital Board
  • Past Chair, SC Bankers School
  • Board Member, Palmetto Health Foundation
  • Board Member, Columbia Chamber of Commerce
  • Board Member, City Center Partnership
  • Board Member, USC Alumni Association Richland Lexington Chapter