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Columbus leaders named among ‘most influential’ in Georgia. See the list

By Jordyn Paul-Slater

Updated January 8, 2026 10:14 AM

Columbus is no stranger to making headlines for its community spirit and the remarkable achievements of its residents.

This year, multiple Columbus residents have been named to Georgia Trend magazine’s 2026 “100 Most Influential Georgians” list, an annual curation of leaders in business, government, education and nonprofits who significantly impact the state in constructive ways.

The list is divided into the Hall of Fame inductees, the 100 most influential Georgians list, and notable Georgians. Here are the Columbus residents who are featured:

Georgia Trend Hall of Fame

One Columbus resident was inducted into the magazine’s Most Influential Hall of Fame, a section dedicated to honoring the legacy of select Georgians.

Dan Amos, CEO of Aflac, is revered for his leadership. His contributions to the company’s revenue growth, international brand recognition and community, especially the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, are highlighted as key points of his influence.

“I like what we do as a company,” Amos said in the magazine interview. “I feel like we make a difference. So, it’s still fun to me. I’m still having a good time with it.”

“As the longest tenured CEO in the Fortune 250, Dan continues to be a leader in business ethics and excellence, delivering value on behalf of Aflac’s customers, shareholders, employees, and the community,” Aflac’s statement says.

Columbus ties to 100 Most Influential Georgians list

Three Columbus residents are honored on the 100 Most Influential Georgians list:

Kevin Blair, president and CEO of Pinnacle Financial Partners

Kevin Blair is president and CEO of Pinnacle Financial Partners, which merged with Synovus. Courtesy of Synovus

Kevin Blair, president and CEO of Pinnacle Financial Partners, formerly Synovus Bank, is on the list due to the $8.6 billion merger with Pinnacle Financial Partners, making the merged bank the 15th-largest in the United States, according to the magazine.

Skip Henderson, mayor of Columbus

During a Dec. 17, 2025, news conference in Columbus City Hall, Mayor Skip Henderson provides an update on the city manager search and responds to criticism from city councilors objecting to his pausing the search. Brittany McGee bmcgee@ledger-enquirer.com

Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson is on the list for his response to the Columbus Council voting 7-3 to fire city manager Isaiah Hugley, working with the deputy city managers to oversee daily operations.

Stuart Rayfield, president of Columbus State University

Columbus State University president Stuart Rayfield is among the 100 Georgians deemed the state’s “most influential” leaders by Georgia Trend magazine. The annual listing recognizes Georgians who are successful in their careers, garner influence, and have contributed to improving Georgians’ lives.

Stuart Rayfield, president of Columbus State University, is on the list for expanding CSU’s relationship with several South Korean institutes.

This is Rayfield’s second consecutive year being honored by Georgia Trend, according to the university’s news release.

Notable mentions

The magazine also honored three more Columbus residents including them on their list of Notable Georgians:

Pace Halter, president and COO of real estate at W.C. Bradley Co.
James Hillenbrand, former president and CEO of W.C. Bradley Co.
Jansen Tidmore, president and CEO of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

Visit the Georgia Trend website for the full list of influential Georgians.

This story was originally published January 8, 2026 at 5:00 AM.

Jordyn Paul-Slater

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Jordyn Paul-Slater is the business and engagement reporter at the Ledger-Enquirer. Her work has appeared in publications such as Reuters, Fast Company and The New York Observer. She completed her master’s degree in specialized journalism at the University of Southern California and earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from George Washington University.