Meet our team
Katherine Dunlevie
President and Chief Executive Officer
Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®)
Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA)
Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®)
Katherine directs all aspects of The Family Office at Synovus with a focus on client service, new business development, long-term business strategy, and financial performance.
As a double Tar Heel, Katherine earned a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she graduated with Highest Distinction, and an MBA from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. In addition, she is an Honors Graduate of the Cannon Trust School.
She is a highly regarded thought-leader in the family office industry, often speaking at conferences around the country. Katherine has been recognized by Georgia Trend Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40, and is a recipient of the Jim Blanchard Leadership Award at Synovus. Additionally, Katherine was shortlisted for Family Wealth Alliance’s Boutique Multi-family Office Executive Award.
Michael Sluder
Senior Vice President
Chief Investment Officer
Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®)
Michael leads the investment group managing more than $4 billion in client family assets.
He chairs the firm’s Investment Committee that sets asset allocation strategies and determines the selection of investment managers. Michael has 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. He earned a Master’s in Economics and a B.A. in Economics from the University of Alabama.
Full Bio
Michael B. Clark, II, MBA
Senior Vice President
Chief Operating Officer
Michael leads all aspects of non-client facing functions for The Family Office at Synovus; this includes operations, technology, marketing/PR/communications, Family Enterprise operations, office administration, financial reporting and budgeting, strategic initiatives, HR, and recruiting.
Michael graduated from Kennesaw State University with an M.B.A., Concentration: Management, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. He is an active member of the Family Office Exchange.
Robert "Rob" L. Persons
Senior Vice President, Director of Advisory Services
Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®)
Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA)
Series 7 and 66 Securities Licenses1
Rob provides financial, estate, and investment advice for clients. He is part of an integrated team committed to understanding a family’s unique goals and developing a comprehensive plan to help achieve those goals. In addition, Rob serves on the firm’s Investment Committee, Asset Allocation Committee, as well as the Investment Review and Administrative Review Committees.
Prior to joining Synovus in 2007, he was a Financial Advisor for Merrill Lynch. Rob received a B.B.A. in Finance from the University of Georgia Terry College of Business.
Jeffery "Jeff" W. Gordon
Senior Vice President
Director, Fiduciary Services
Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®)
Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA)
Jeff is responsible for estate administration, fiduciary-related administrative duties, and liaison to the Synovus Trust Company, N.A. regarding audit and regulatory concerns.
Jeff has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. Prior to joining Synovus in 1993, he served as Assistant Vice President and Relationship Manager for Bank of America, and was a Trust Officer with SunTrust. He received his B.S. in Political Science with a minor in Economics from Columbus State University. He is also a graduate of the Southern Trust School at Birmingham Southern College and the National Graduate Trust School at Northwestern University.
Oscar "Lee" Wiseley, Jr.
Senior Vice President
Director, Wealth Strategies
Member of the State Bar of Georgia
Lee leads a team of attorneys who provide professional counsel and wealth planning for Family Office clients. He has 12 years of experience in the financial services industry. Prior to joining Synovus in 2006, Lee practiced law at the Bowden Spratt Law Firm, in Atlanta, and worked as an Estate and Gift Tax Attorney for the Internal Revenue Service in Atlanta.
Lee’s educational credentials include an LL.M. in Taxation from the Emory School of Law, a J.D. from the University of Georgia School of Law, and a B.B.A. in Finance from the University of Georgia College of Business Administration.
Hamilton Hilsman, IV
Senior Vice President
Director, Bradley Family Office
The Private Family Office represents the founding family of The Family Office at Synovus. Hamilton is responsible for providing this family with financial and estate planning, investment strategies, family governance, and charitable giving support.
Hamilton has more than 23 years of experience in the financial services industry, including serving as Vice President, Commercial Lender for Synovus Financial Corp., and Vice President, Relationship Manager for SunTrust Private Client Group. Hamilton earned his M.B.A. and a B.A. in History from the University of Georgia.
Albert "Bert" H. Mullin
Senior Vice President
Lead Family Office Advisor
Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA)
Bert has 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. Prior to joining the Synovus team in 2004, he served as a Senior Vice President and Trust Officer with SunTrust. Bert began his career as an Attorney at Hatcher, Stubbs, Land, Hollis and Rothschild, in Columbus, Ga.
Bert received his J.D. from the Georgia State University School of Law and his B.A. from the University of Georgia.