Meet our team

Meet our team in Myrtle Beach

Rachel M. Whitley

Commercial Market Lead, North Myrtle Beach

For Rachel, banking is integral to a community’s development. “Large and small businesses and non-profit organizations would have a very difficult time operating, if it weren’t for the fundamental role that banks play as suppliers of capital, holders of deposits, and providers of solutions for financial intermediation.” She knows what she’s talking about – she’s worked for Synovus for 44 years to help customers in the Coastal Region of S.C. make things happen. Rachel earned a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of South Carolina @ Coastal Carolina College, completed graduate studies at Webster University, and graduated from the School of Banking at Louisiana State University. She has been recognized as a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow and has received a S.C. Senate Resolution in Recognition of her dedication and involvement in the local community. Her hobbies are golf and refurbishing old furniture.

Work in our community

  • Local Advisory Council for Santee Cooper
  • Regional Board of Directors for the Red Cross
  • Past Chairman of the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce
  • Board Member of the Waccamaw Mental Health
  • Banking Advisory Board Member for the Fortune Academy
  • Past Chairman of the Eastern SC RMA Group
  • United Way Volunteer

Wayne Gray

Commercial Market Lead, Myrtle Beach

Wayne joined Synovus in 2017 and brought with him more than two decades of banking experience. A native of Myrtle Beach, Wayne attended Presbyterian College and received a Bachelor of Science in Finance. He loves helping business owners and families achieve financial success and enjoys working with Synovus because of the company’s commitment to improving the quality of life in the communities it serves.

Wayne has three adult children, and in his free time, he like sports, history, reading, and engaging with the Myrtle Beach community. In 2008, he was named the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year.

Work in our community

  • Chairman of the Board, Eastern Carolina Housing Organization
  • President, North South Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Allstar Football Game
  • Member, Rotary Club of Myrtle Beach
  • Radio Broadcaster, Myrtle Beach High School Football
  • Former Myrtle Beach City Councilman

Tracie Rolan

Retail Market Lead

Fifteen years in financial services led Tracie Rolan to Synovus in 2021. The married mother of four enjoys doting on her granddaughter and “fur babies,” and recently moved from Colorado to South Carolina. She enjoys boating, deep sea fishing, and lake fishing, and loves SEC college football (Roll Tide). She finds inspiration in a quote by Stephen Covey: “Leadership is a choice, not a position.”

Work in our community

  • Board member, non-profits (2015-2018) – Colorado
  • Actively anticipating community involvement in the Myrtle Beach areas

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