The Cobb Chamber and Cumberland CID have selected Rob Garcia, a recently retired executive of Pinnacle Financial Partners, as its 2026 Citizen of the Year. The Citizen of the Year Awards are given to honor an individual whose impact through the years will be recognized and regarded with pride throughout the area as a role model. These outstanding citizens are chosen for their definable, exceptional deeds, with which he or she has made their community a better place to live. Awards are given based on local area nominations. The 2026 Cumberland Citizen of the Year award was presented at the 2026 Cumberland Community Meeting on March 12.
2026 Cumberland Citizen of the Year
Rob Garcia, formerly of Pinnacle Financial Partners
A veteran banking leader, Rob Garcia has shaped the financial landscape of metro Atlanta for decades, bringing deep expertise in commercial banking, commercial real estate, and C&I lending to every role he has held. After leading Synovus’ largest division, spanning metro Atlanta and northwest Georgia, as division CEO, and previously serving as regional market president for Bank of North Georgia following its merger with Riverside Bank, Garcia joined Pinnacle Financial Partners in 2019 to spearhead the firm’s entry into the Atlanta market. His guidance has been instrumental in building Pinnacle’s presence across the region, cultivating a culture of service excellence, and strengthening the firm’s reputation for human-centered, relationship driven banking.
Garcia’s selection for this honor is rooted not only in his professional accomplishments but in his influential civic leadership, particularly through his service as Board Chair of One Cumberland. His strategic guidance has helped advance initiatives that enhance the district’s economic vitality, infrastructure, and overall quality of life. Known for his collaborative approach and steady presence, he has played a key role in uniting business, civic, and community stakeholders around a shared vision for the district’s future.
Garcia’s long-term commitment to Cumberland is reflected in years of advocacy, volunteerism, and hands-on engagement with organizations dedicated to strengthening the area’s economic and community foundations. His decades of dedication, paired with his vision and unwavering commitment to regional progress, have made him a trusted voice and a driving force behind Cumberland’s continued growth and success.
For more information about the Citizen of the Year Awards, contact Katie Guice at kguice@cobbchamber.org or 770-859-2334. Thank you to Citizen of the Year Award Sponsor, Capital City Bank.
About the Cobb Chamber
At the Cobb Chamber, we believe in the power of ambition. Through our wealth of programming and partnerships, we unite the region’s most innovative, informed, and determined people so that they can achieve more. And through our advocacy and initiatives, we ensure that our county is a healthy place to do business. While our members span industry, background, and experience, we share a common desire: to see Cobb County flourish. For more information, visit www.cobbchamber.org.
About the Cumberland CID
The Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID), Georgia’s first CID, is one of the nation’s premier models of public-private collaboration. More than 190 Commercial property owners pay additional property taxes, and the CID leverages these funds to advance key projects for increased access, better connectivity, and a more vibrant character throughout the Cumberland area. Each year, the CID creates more value for the community by initiating and leading enhancements to make Cumberland a more attractive place to operate a business, to work, and to live. Today, Cumberland has a $26.6 billion annual impact on Georgia’s economy. Cumberland is home to leading companies including The Home Depot, Papa Johns, TKE, Comcast, Genuine Parts Company, and more. To learn more about the Cumberland CID go to www.cumberlandcid.org.
