Meet our team
Meet our team in Birmingham
Nelson S. Bean
Division CEO
A Birmingham native, Nelson joined First Commercial Bank a few years after graduating from college and has never looked back. He is not only a leader within our local community, but a champion of community involvement throughout the entire region.
Work in our community
Board Member, United Way of Central Alabama
Board Member, VIVA Health, Inc.
Board Member, Leadership Birmingham
Board Member, WoodlawnFoundation
Past President, Kiwanis Club of Birmingham
Lessie O. Brady
Executive VP
Senior Director, Private Wealth Management Group
Lessie leads our Private Wealth Management team, whose financial planning strategies often involve Synovus Trust, Synovus Mortgage and Synovus Securities expertise. In addition to helping our clients improve their financial well-being, Lessie’s commitment to the Birmingham community is evident in her volunteer activities, from serving as president of Oasis Counseling for Women to board member of the YMCA.
Work in our community
Board Member, YMCA
Board Member, The Bell Center
Past President, Oasis Counseling for Women
Founding DIVA, Women United
Laura R. Clarke
Executive Vice President Commercial Banking
Laura joined Synovus in 2017 with more than 30 years’ experience in the financial services industry. Her comprehensive understanding of underwriting and loan structuring for middle market commercial customers and her expertise coordinating with strategic partners, credit risk partners, and implementation teams enable her to provide creative and often unique solutions to address complex client issues. Laura earned her bachelor’s in Commerce with a concentration in Finance and Marketing from the University of Virginia, and her MBA from Boston College. Active in the Birmingham community, Laura has been a United Way Visiting Allocation Team member for 15 years.
Work in our community
ARC of Shelby County Board – Board Treasurer, Board Compliance Officer
Laura Crandall Brown Ovarian Cancer Foundation - Board Member
STAIR (Start The Adventure In Reading) – past Board Member and Treasurer
Oak Mountain Schools – PTO, Athletic Boosters, and Academic Partners
Girl Scout Troop 188 – past Treasurer
Birmingham Area Boy Scouts
Samford Brock School of Business Advisory Board
Michael Crane
Senior VP, Commercial Banking
A Birmingham resident since earning his MBA here, Mike has worked with businesses in our community for over 10 years. Now the leader of our local commercial banking team, he gets a thrill out of helping entrepreneurs and business owners achieve their goals. “My wife and I can’t imagine a better community to raise our three children in,” he says.
Work in our community
Board Member, Foundation Capital
Loan Committee Member, Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham
Member, Leadership UAB