Meet our team

Meet our team in Tuscaloosa

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Steve Steele

Market President

A native of Oxford, MS, Steve joined the Synovus family in 2020. After more than 26 years of finance experience, he holds a strong belief in the value of local relationships, and he is committed to making sure each client achieves financial success. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and an MBA from Troy State University. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst charter holder. In his free time, he enjoys cycling, playing chess, and spending time with his wife Amy and their three children.

Work in our community

  • VP of Finance and Board Member, Black Warrior Council of the Boy Scouts of America
  • Development Committee Chair and Board Member, Tuscaloosa’s One Place
  • Assistant Scout Master, BSA Troop 90

Lea Dowling

Senior Vice President, Commercial Banker

With Synovus since 2007, Lea Dowling holds a degree in Operations Management from the University of Alabama. She enjoys waking up every day to serve her clients and treat them by the “platinum rule”—not only the way she wants to be treated, but the way they would want to be treated. “Respect, fairness, sincerity and excellence,” she says. “I am grateful for the opportunity to work with businesses and families in our communities to exceed their expectations daily.” When not working, she enjoys time with her husband and two sons, and anything to do with traveling, fishing, and fashion.

Work in our community

  • Coach, American Christian Academy Fishing Team
  • Board member and fundraising chair, Family Counseling Services
  • Finance Committee, West Alabama Chamber of Commerce
  • Volunteer Allocation Team, United Way of West Alabama

Blake Thrasher

Commercial Banker

Blake joined Synovus in 2021, bringing more than two decades of financial services experience. A native of Dallas, TX, Blake expertly matches Synovus clients to the tools and products they need to help their businesses grow. Blake’s career in banking began at the University of Alabama, where he studied finance while playing guard for the Crimson Tide. His love of basketball, and Alabama, continues to this day. When he is not teaching the next generation the finer points of the game, he and his wife, Jennifer, enjoy traveling with their three sons.

Work in our community

  • Head basketball coach, American Christian Academy, Tuscaloosa, AL
  • Past board member, The Arc of Tuscaloosa
  • Past board member, Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Alabama