<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.8

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     THIS AGREEMENT is made as of the 1st day of April, 2000, by and among
PINNACLE NATIONAL BANK (Proposed) (the "Bank"), a proposed national bank;
PINNACLE FINANCIAL CORPORATION (proposed), a bank holding company incorporated
under the laws of the State of Tennessee (the "Company") (collectively, the Bank
and the Company are referred to hereinafter as the "Employer"), and HUGH M.
QUEENER, a resident of the State of Tennessee (the "Executive").

                                    RECITALS:

     The Employer desires to employ the Executive as Executive Vice President
and Chief Administrative Officer of the Bank and the Company and the Executive
desires to accept such employment.

     The parties previously entered into an employment agreement, also dated as
of April 1, 2000, that they wish to restate primarily for the purpose of
revising certain change-in-control provisions.

     In consideration of the above premises and the mutual agreements
hereinafter set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:

1.   DEFINITIONS. Whenever used in this Agreement, the following terms and
their variant forms shall have the meaning set forth below:

     1.1 "AGREEMENT" shall mean this Agreement and any exhibits incorporated
herein together with any amendments hereto made in the manner described in this
Agreement.

     1.2 "AFFILIATE" shall mean any business entity which controls the Company,
is controlled by or is under common control with the Company.

     1.3 "BUSINESS OF THE EMPLOYER" shall mean the business conducted by the
Employer, which is the business of commercial banking.

     1.4  "CAUSE" shall mean:

          1.4.1 With respect to termination by the Employer:

               (a) a material breach of the terms of this Agreement by the
          Executive, including, without limitation, failure by the Executive to
          perform his duties and responsibilities in the manner and to the
          extent required under this Agreement, which remains uncured after the
          expiration of thirty (30) days following the delivery of written
          notice of such breach to the Executive by Employer. Such notice shall
          (i) specifically identify the duties that the Board of Directors of
          either the Company or the Bank


<PAGE>

          believes the Executive has failed to perform, (ii) state the facts
          upon which such Board of Directors made such determination, and (iii)
          be approved by a resolution passed by two-thirds (2/3) of the
          directors then in office;

               (b) conduct by the Executive that amounts to fraud, dishonesty or
          willful misconduct in the performance of his duties and
          responsibilities hereunder;

               (c) arrest for, charged in relation to (by criminal information,
          indictment or otherwise), or conviction of the Executive during the
          Term of this Agreement of a crime involving breach of trust or moral
          turpitude;

               (d) conduct by the Executive that amounts to gross and willful
          insubordination or inattention to his duties and responsibilities
          hereunder; or

               (e) conduct by the Executive that results in removal from his
          position as an officer or executive of Employer pursuant to a written
          order by any regulatory agency with authority or jurisdiction over
          Employer.

             1.4.2 With respect to termination by the Executive:

               (a) a material modification to the Executive's job title(s) or
          position(s) of responsibility or the scope of his authority or
          responsibilities under this Agreement without the Executive's written
          consent, which modification is not cured to the reasonable
          satisfaction of the Executive within thirty (30) days after written
          notice thereof from the Executive to the Board of Directors of either
          the Bank or the Company;

               (b) a change in supervision so that the Executive no longer
          reports to the person(s) or entity to whom he reported immediately
          after the Effective Date, which change in supervision is effected
          without the Executive's written consent;

               (c) a change in supervisory authority so that the holder of any
          position who normally reported to the Executive immediately after the
          Effective Date no longer reports to the Executive on a regular basis,
          which change in supervisory authority is effected without the
          Executive's written consent;

               (d) any change in the Executive's office location such that the
          Executive is required to report regularly to a location that is beyond
          a 25-mile radius from the Executive's office location determined
          immediately after the Effective Date, which change in office location
          is effected without the Executive's written consent; and

               (e) any material reduction in salary, bonus opportunity or other
          benefits provided for in Section 4 below from the level in effect
          immediately prior to the Change of Control.

      1.5 "CHANGE OF CONTROL" means any one of the following events:


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               (a) the acquisition by any person or persons acting in concert of
          the then outstanding voting securities of either the Bank or the
          Company, if, after the transaction, the acquiring person (or persons)
          owns, controls or holds with power to vote forty percent (40%) or more
          of any class of voting securities of either the Bank or the Company,
          as the case may be;

               (b) within any twelve-month period (beginning on or after the
          Effective Date) the persons who were directors of either the Bank or
          the Company immediately before the beginning of such twelve-month
          period (the "Incumbent Directors") shall cease to constitute at least
          a majority of such board of directors; provided that any director who
          was not a director as of the Effective Date shall be deemed to be an
          Incumbent Director if that director were elected to such board of
          directors by, or on the recommendation of or with the approval of, at
          least two-thirds of the directors who then qualified as Incumbent
          Directors; and provided further that no director whose initial
          assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened
          election contest (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation
          14A promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) relating to
          the election of directors shall be deemed to be an Incumbent Director;

               (c) a reorganization, merger or consolidation, with respect to
          which persons who were the stockholders of the Bank or the Company, as
          the case may be, immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or
          consolidation do not, immediately thereafter, own more than fifty
          percent (50%) of the combined voting power entitled to vote in the
          election of directors of the reorganized, merged or consolidated
          company's then outstanding voting securities; or

               (d) the sale, transfer or assignment of all or substantially all
          of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries to any third party.

     1.6 "COMPANY INFORMATION" means Confidential Information and Trade Secrets.

     1.7 "CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION" means data and information relating to the
business of the Bank or the Company (which does not rise to the status of a
Trade Secret) which is or has been disclosed to the Executive or of which the
Executive became aware as a consequence of or through the Executive's
relationship to the Employer and which has value to the Employer and is not
generally known to its competitors. Confidential Information shall not include
any data or information that has been voluntarily disclosed to the public by the
Employer (except where such public disclosure has been made by the Executive
without authorization) or that has been independently developed and disclosed by
others, or that otherwise enters the public domain through lawful means.

     1.8 "DISABILITY" shall mean the inability of the Executive to perform each
of his material duties under this Agreement for the duration of the short-term
disability period under the Employer's policy then in effect as certified by a
physician chosen by the Employer and reasonably acceptable to the Executive.


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     1.9 "EFFECTIVE DATE" shall mean the date April 1, 2000.

     1.10 "INITIAL TERM" shall mean that period of time commencing on April 1,
2000 (the "Beginning Date") and running until the close of business on the last
business day immediately preceding the third anniversary of the Beginning Date.

     1.11 "TERM" shall mean the last day of the Initial Term or most recent
subsequent renewal period.

     1.12 "TRADE SECRETS" means Employer information including, but not limited
to, technical or nontechnical data, formulas, patterns, compilations, programs,
devices, methods, techniques, drawings, processes, financial data, financial
plans, product plans or lists of actual or potential customers or suppliers
which:

          (a) derives economic value, actual or potential, from not being
     generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by,
     other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and

          (b) is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the
     circumstances to maintain its secrecy.

2.   DUTIES.

     2.1 POSITION. The Executive is employed initially as Executive Vice
President and Chief Administrative Officer of the Bank and the Company and,
subject to the direction of the Board of Directors of the Bank or the Company or
its designees, shall perform and discharge well and faithfully the duties which
may be assigned to him from time to time by the Bank or the Company in
connection with the conduct of its business. The duties and responsibilities of
the Executive are set forth on EXHIBIT A attached hereto.

     2.2 FULL-TIME STATUS. In addition to the duties and responsibilities
specifically assigned to the Executive pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof,
the Executive shall:

          (a) devote substantially all of his time, energy and skill during
     regular business hours to the performance of the duties of his employment
     (reasonable vacations and reasonable absences due to illness excepted) and
     faithfully and industriously perform such duties;

          (b) diligently follow and implement all reasonable and lawful
     management policies and decisions communicated to him by the Board of
     Directors of either the Bank or the Company; and

          (c) timely prepare and forward to the Board of Directors of either the
     Bank or the Company all reports and accountings as may be requested of the
     Executive.


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     2.3 PERMITTED ACTIVITIES. The Executive shall devote his entire business
time, attention and energies to the Business of the Employer and shall not
during the Term be engaged (whether or not during normal business hours) in any
other business or professional activity, whether or not such activity is pursued
for gain, profit or other pecuniary advantage; but this shall not be construed
as preventing the Executive from:

          (a) investing his personal assets in businesses which (subject to
     clause (b) below) are not in competition with the Business of the Employer
     and which will not require any services on the part of the Executive in
     their operation or affairs and in which his participation is solely that of
     an investor;

          (b) purchasing or otherwise acquiring an ownership interest in any
     entity provided that such interest shall not result in him collectively
     owning beneficially at any time five percent (5%) or more of any entity or,
     to the extent applicable, five percent (5%) or more of the stock, capital
     or profits of any entity in competition with the Business of the Employer;
     and

          (c) participating in civic and professional affairs and organizations
     and conferences, preparing or publishing papers or books or teaching so
     long as the Board of Directors of either the Bank or the Company approves
     of such activities prior to the Executive's engaging in them.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.3, the Executive may
provide services to any entity and may engage in such additional investment
activities to the extent such services and such additional investment activities
have been expressly approved in writing by the Board of Directors of either the
Bank or the Company.

3.   TERM AND TERMINATION.

     3.1 TERM. This Agreement shall remain in effect for the Term. While this
Agreement remains in effect it shall automatically renew each day after the
Effective Date so that the Term remains a three-year term from day-to-day
hereafter unless the Employer or the Executive gives written notice to the other
of its intent that the automatic renewals shall cease. In the event such notice
of non-renewal is properly given, this Agreement and the Term shall expire on
the third anniversary of the thirtieth (30th) day following the date such
written notice is received.

     3.2 TERMINATION. During the Term, the employment of the Executive under
this Agreement may be terminated only as follows:

         3.2.1 By the Employer:

               (a) In the event that the Bank fails to receive its regulatory
          charter, or the Company fails to raise the necessary capital required
          to open the Bank, and should the Company's Founders decide to forgo
          future efforts to open the Bank,


                                       5
<PAGE>

          in which event the Employer shall be required to continue to meet its
          obligation to the Executive under Section 4.1 until December 31, 2000;

               (b) For Cause, upon written notice to the Executive pursuant to
          Section 1.4.1 hereof, where the notice has been approved by a
          resolution passed by two-thirds of the directors of either the Bank or
          the Company then in office;

               (c) Without Cause at any time, provided that the Bank shall give
          the Executive thirty (30) days' prior written notice of its intent to
          terminate, in which event the Employer shall be required to continue
          to meet its obligations to the Executive under Section 4.1 for a
          period equal to the remaining Term of the Agreement; or

               (d) Upon the Disability of Executive at any time, provided that
          the Employer shall give the Executive thirty (30) days' prior written
          notice of its intent to terminate, in which event, the Employer shall
          be required to continue to meet its obligations under Section 4.1 for
          a period of six (6) months or until the Executive begins receiving
          payments under the Company's long-term disability policy, whichever
          occurs first.

         3.2.2 By the Executive:

               (a) For Cause, in which event the Employer shall be required to
          continue to meet its obligations under Section 4.1 for a period equal
          to the lesser of (i) twelve (12) months following the termination or
          (ii) the remaining Term of the Agreement; or

               (b) Without Cause or upon the Disability of the Executive,
          provided that the Executive shall give the Employer sixty (60) days'
          prior written notice of his intent to terminate.

         3.2.3 At any time upon mutual, written agreement of the parties.

         3.2.4 Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the
       Term shall end automatically upon the Executive's death.

     3.3 CHANGE OF CONTROL. If the Executive terminates his employment with the
Employer under this Agreement for Cause within twelve (12) months following a
Change of Control, the Executive, or in the event of his subsequent death, his
designated beneficiaries or his estate, as the case may be, shall receive, as
liquidated damages, in lieu of all other claims, a severance payment equal to
three (3) times the Executives then current Base Salary and target bonus amount
to be paid in full on the last day of the month following the date of
termination. The Executive and his immediate family will continue to receive the
health insurance plan benefits then in effect for employees of the Company
and/or the Bank for a period of three years to include payment of the Employer
funded portion of the plan. The Executive will also receive tax assistance,
advice and filing preparation services from a qualified accounting firm of his


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choice for a period of three years at a cost to the Company and/or the Bank not
to exceed $2,500 per year.

     3.4 EFFECT OF TERMINATION. Upon termination of the Executive's employment
hereunder, the Employer shall have no further obligations to the Executive or
the Executive's estate with respect to this Agreement, except for the payment of
salary and bonus amounts, if any, accrued pursuant to Sections 4.1 and 4.2
hereof and unpaid as of the effective date of the termination of employment and
payments set forth in Sections 3.2.1(a),(c) or (d); Section 3.2.2(a); Section
3.3; Section 3.5 and/or Section 4.4, as applicable. Nothing contained herein
shall limit or impinge upon any other rights or remedies of the Employer or the
Executive under any other agreement or plan to which the Executive is a party or
of which the Executive is a beneficiary.

     3.5 TAX INDEMNITY. In the event it shall be determined that any payment or
benefits by the Employer to the Executive (a "Payment") would subject the
Executive to an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code (the
"Code") (or any successor federal tax law), or any interest or penalties are
incurred or paid by the Executive with respect to such excise tax (any such
excise tax, together with any interest and penalties, are hereinafter
collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be
entitled to an additional payment from the Employer as is necessary (after
taking into account all federal, state and local taxes (regardless of type,
whether income, excise or otherwise) imposed upon the Executive as a result of
the receipt of the payment contemplated by this Agreement) and any reduction in
such taxes of the Executive as a result of the payment of the related Excise
Tax) to place the Executive in the same after-tax position the Executive would
have been in had no Excise Tax been imposed upon or incurred or paid by the
Executive (the "Tax Indemnity"). The Employer's outside auditor shall determine,
utilizing such reasonable assumptions as it considers necessary, whether a
Payment would subject the Executive to the Excise Tax within thirty (30) days
after receipt of a written request from the Employer or the Executive in which
the requesting party verifies that a Payment has been made and requests an
appropriate determination. The requesting party shall provide the other party
with a copy of any such written request. The outside auditor shall determine
whether a Tax Indemnity obligation exists and, if so, the amount of the Tax
Indemnity and shall provide supporting documentation to both the Employer and
the Executive. The Employer shall pay the Executive any Tax Indemnity so
determined in a lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days following the release
of the related determination by the outside auditor; provided, however, that any
such payment may be reduced by applicable legal withholdings. In the event that
the Internal Revenue Service subsequently assesses an Excise Tax that is greater
than the tax previously calculated by the outside auditor, the Employer shall
make an additional Tax Indemnity payment, as calculated by the outside auditor
in a manner consistent with the provisions of this Section 3.5, to the Executive
within thirty (30) days of the date of such assessment.

4.   COMPENSATION. The Executive shall receive the following salary and
benefits during the Term, except as otherwise provided below:

     4.1 BASE SALARY. During the Initial Term, the Executive shall be
compensated at a base rate of $160,000 per year (the "Base Salary"). The
obligation for payment of Base Salary shall be apportioned between the Company
and the Bank as they may agree from time to time in their sole


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discretion. The Executive's Base Salary shall be reviewed by the Board of
Directors of the Bank and the Company at least annually, and the Executive shall
be entitled to receive annually an increase in such amount, if any, as may be
determined by the Board of Directors of the Bank or the Company based on its
evaluation of Executive's performance. Base Salary shall be payable in
accordance with the Employer's normal payroll practices.

     4.2 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION. The Executive shall be entitled to annual bonus
compensation, if any, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company or
the Bank pursuant to any incentive compensation program as may be adopted from
time to time by the Company or the Bank.

     4.3 STOCK OPTIONS. The Company will establish a stock incentive plan
contemporaneously with the initial public offering of the Company's common
stock. The Company will grant to the Executive pursuant to such stock incentive
plan, consistent with applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, an
incentive stock option to purchase, at a per share purchase price equal to
$10.00, 30,000 shares of the Company's common stock. The option generally will
become vested and exercisable in twenty percent (20%) increments, commencing on
the first anniversary of the option grant date, which shall be the closing date
for the Company's initial public offering, and continuing for the next four
successive anniversaries; provided, however, that, in the event of a Change of
Control, the option shall become fully vested and exercisable; provided further,
that in the event of a Change of Control prior to the third anniversary of the
date the Bank opens for business, the option shall become vested and exercisable
at a rate no more rapidly than thirty-three and one-third percent (33 1/3%) per
year over the first three anniversaries of the date the Bank opens for business.
The option shall expire generally upon the earlier of one (1) year following
termination of employment or upon the tenth anniversary of the option grant
date. The option will be issued by the Employer pursuant to the Company's stock
incentive plan and subject to the terms of a related stock option agreement. The
Executive shall be eligible for future option grants so long as the Company
maintains a stock incentive plan and shall participate in future grants at a
level that is commensurate with the relative levels of participation by all
other senior management employees of the Employer.

     4.4 HEALTH INSURANCE.

          (a) The Employer shall reimburse the Executive for the cost of premium
     payments paid by the Executive for the Executive's current health insurance
     covering the Executive and the members of his immediate family until the
     first to occur of the following:

               (i) such time as the Company adopts a health insurance plan for
          employees of the Company and/or the Bank;

               (ii) the Company and the Bank abandon their organizational
          efforts; or

               (iii) December 31, 2000.


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<PAGE>

               (b) In the event of termination by the Executive for Cause
          (Section 3.2.3(a)), the Employer shall reimburse Executive for the
          cost of premium payments paid by the Executive to continue his then
          existing health insurance for himself and his eligible dependents as
          provided by the Employer for a period of three (3) months following
          the date of termination of employment.

               (c) In the event of a termination by the Employer without Cause
          (Section 3.2.1(c)), the Employer shall reimburse the Executive for the
          cost of premium payments paid by the Executive to continue his then
          existing health insurance for himself and his eligible dependents as
          provided by Employer for a period of twelve (12) months following the
          date of termination of employment.

     4.5 AUTOMOBILE. Beginning as of the month in which the Bank receives
preliminary charter approval, the Employer will provide Executive with an
automobile allowance of $750 per month.

     4.6 BUSINESS EXPENSES; MEMBERSHIPS. The Employer specifically agrees to
reimburse the Executive for:

               (a) reasonable and necessary business (including travel) expenses
          incurred by him in the performance of his duties hereunder, as
          approved by the Board of Directors of either the Bank or the Company;
          and

               (b) beginning as of the Effective Date, the dues and business
          related expenditures, including initiation fees, associated with
          membership in a single civic association both as selected by the
          Executive and in professional associations which are commensurate with
          his position; provided, however, that the Executive shall, as a
          condition of reimbursement, submit verification of the nature and
          amount of such expenses in accordance with reimbursement policies from
          time to time adopted by the Employer and in sufficient detail to
          comply with rules and regulations promulgated by the Internal Revenue
          Service.

     4.7 VACATION. On a non-cumulative basis, the Executive shall be entitled to
four (4) weeks of vacation in each successive twelve-month period during the
Term, during which his compensation shall be paid in full.

     4.8 LIFE INSURANCE. The Employer will provide the Executive with access to
term life insurance coverage at competitive rates at such time as the Company
develops a life plan for employees of the Company and/or Bank, providing a death
benefit of not less than $650,000, payable to such beneficiary or beneficiaries
as the Executive may designate.

     4.9 TAX PREPARATION SERVICES. The Employer will provide the Executive with
tax preparation services annually through a qualified accounting firm of the
Executive's choice at an annual cost not to exceed $2,500.



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     4.10 BENEFITS. In addition to the benefits specifically described in this
Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to such benefits as may be available
from time to time to executives of the Bank similarly situated to the Executive.
All such benefits shall be awarded and administered in accordance with the
Bank's standard policies and practices. Such benefits may include, by way of
example only, profit-sharing plans, retirement or investment funds, dental,
health, life and disability insurance benefits and such other benefits as the
Bank deems appropriate.

     4.11 WITHHOLDING. The Employer may deduct from each payment of compensation
hereunder all amounts required to be deducted and withheld in accordance with
applicable federal and state income, FICA and other withholding requirements.

5.   COMPANY INFORMATION.

     5.1 OWNERSHIP OF COMPANY INFORMATION. All Company Information received or
developed by the Executive while employed by the Employer will remain the sole
and exclusive property of the Employer.

     5.2 OBLIGATIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE. The Executive agrees:

          (a) to hold Company Information in strictest confidence;

          (b) not to use, duplicate, reproduce, distribute, disclose or
     otherwise disseminate Company Information or any physical embodiments of
     Company Information; and

          (c) in any event, not to take any action causing or fail to take any
     action necessary in order to prevent any Company Information from losing
     its character or ceasing to qualify as Confidential Information or a Trade
     Secret.

In the event that the Executive is required by law to disclose any Company
Information, the Executive will not make such disclosure unless (and then only
to the extent that) the Executive has been advised by independent legal counsel
that such disclosure is required by law and then only after prior written notice
is given to the Company when the Executive becomes aware that such disclosure
has been requested and is required by law. This Section 5 shall survive for a
period of twelve (12) months following termination of this Agreement for any
reason with respect to Confidential Information, and shall survive termination
of this Agreement for any reason for so long as is permitted by applicable law,
with respect to Trade Secrets.

     5.3 DELIVERY UPON REQUEST OR TERMINATION. Upon request by the Employer, and
in any event upon termination of his employment with the Employer, the Executive
will promptly deliver to the Employer all property belonging to the Employer,
including, without limitation, all Company Information then in his possession or
control. The Executive agrees that the covenant contained in Section 5 of this
Agreement are of the essence of this Agreement; that the covenant is reasonable
and necessary to protect the business, interests and properties of the Employer.


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<PAGE>

6. SEVERABILITY. The parties agree that each of the provisions included in this
Agreement is separate, distinct and severable from the other provisions of this
Agreement and that the invalidity or unenforceability of any Agreement provision
shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this
Agreement. Further, if any provision of this Agreement is ruled invalid or
unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction because of a conflict between
the provision and any applicable law or public policy, the provision shall be
redrawn to make the provision consistent with and valid and enforceable under
the law or public policy.

7. NO SET-OFF BY THE EXECUTIVE. The existence of any claim, demand, action or
cause of action by the Executive against the Employer, or any Affiliate of the
Employer, whether predicated upon this Agreement or otherwise, shall not
constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Employer of any of its rights
hereunder.

8. NOTICE. All notices and other communications required or permitted under this
Agreement shall be in writing and, if mailed by prepaid first-class mail or
certified mail, return receipt requested, shall be deemed to have been received
on the earlier of the date shown on the receipt or three (3) business days after
the postmarked date thereof. In addition, notices hereunder may be delivered by
hand or overnight courier, in which event the notice shall be deemed effective
when delivered. All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall
be given to the parties hereto at the following addresses:

               (i)  If to the Employer, to it at:

                    ________________________________________

                    ________________________________________

                    ________________________________________

               (ii) If to the Executive, to him at:

                    ________________________________________

                    ________________________________________

                    ________________________________________

9. ASSIGNMENT. Neither party hereto may assign or delegate this Agreement or any
of its rights and obligations hereunder without the written consent of the other
party to this Agreement.

10. WAIVER. A waiver by one party to this Agreement of any breach of this
Agreement by the other party to this Agreement shall not be effective unless in
writing, and no waiver shall operate or be construed as a waiver of the same or
another breach on a subsequent occasion.

11. ARBITRATION. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this
contract, or the breach thereof, shall be settled by binding arbitration in
accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration
Association. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered
only in a state court of Tennessee or the federal court for the Middle


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<PAGE>

District of Tennessee. The Employer and the Executive agree to share equally the
fees and expenses associated with the arbitration proceedings.

12. ATTORNEYS' FEES. In the event that the parties have complied with this
Agreement with respect to arbitration of disputes and litigation ensues between
the parties concerning the enforcement of an arbitration award, the party
prevailing in such litigation shall be entitled to receive from the other party
all reasonable costs and expenses, including without limitation attorneys' fees,
incurred by the prevailing party in connection with such litigation, and the
other party shall pay such costs and expenses to the prevailing party promptly
upon demand by the prevailing party.

13. APPLICABLE LAW. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced under and in
accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee.

14. INTERPRETATION. Words importing any gender include all genders. Words
importing the singular form shall include the plural and vice versa. The terms
"herein", "hereunder", "hereby", "hereto", "hereof" and any similar terms refer
to this Agreement. Any captions, titles or headings preceding the text of any
article, section or subsection herein are solely for convenience of reference
and shall not constitute part of this Agreement or affect its meaning,
construction or effect.

15. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement embodies the entire and final agreement of
the parties on the subject matter stated in this Agreement. No amendment or
modification of this Agreement shall be valid or binding upon the Employer or
the Executive unless made in writing and signed by both parties. All prior
understandings and agreements relating to the subject matter of this Agreement,
including, but not limited to, that certain employment agreement between the
Bank and the Executive previously signed by the parties and also dated as of
April 1, 2000, are hereby expressly terminated and superseded.

16. RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES. Nothing herein expressed is intended to or shall be
construed to confer upon or give to any person, firm or other entity, other than
the parties hereto and their permitted assigns, any rights or remedies under or
by reason of this Agreement.

17. SURVIVAL. The obligations of the Executive pursuant to Section 5 shall
survive the termination of the employment of the Executive hereunder for the
period designated under each of those respective sections.

18. JOINT AND SEVERAL. The obligations of the Bank and the Company to Executive
hereunder shall be joint and several.

                  [Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]


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<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Employer and the Executive have executed and
delivered this Agreement as of the date first shown above.


                                   THE BANK:


                                   PINNACLE NATIONAL BANK (PROPOSED)


                                   By:
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                   Print Name:
                                              ----------------------------------
                                   Title:
                                         ---------------------------------------


                                   THE COMPANY:


                                   PINNACLE FINANCIAL CORPORATION


                                   By: /S/ M. TERRY TURNER
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                                   Print Name: M. TERRY TURNER
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                                   Title:PRESIDENT & CEO
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                                   THE EXECUTIVE:


                                       /S/ HUGH M. QUEENER
                                   ---------------------------------------------
                                   HUGH M. QUEENER


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                                    EXHIBIT A

                         INITIAL DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE

                                            CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

FUNCTION:

Has overall responsibility for the bank's operations and fiscal record keeping.
Also has responsibility for the bank's consumer loan portfolio and asset
quality. Maintains cash accounts, oversees budget preparation, regulatory agency
reporting, and shareholder reporting. Prepares financial and other reports on a
periodic basis for the Board and Senior Management.

AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

OPERATIONS:

1.   Responsible for due from and due to banking activities including balance
     levels and incoming and outgoing wire transfers. Also, manages the bank's
     daily reserve and cash position.

2.   Responsible for the accounts payable function for the bank.

3.   Keeps informed of new developments in technology and ideas affecting the
     overall operating efficiency of the bank and makes modifications as
     appropriate.

4.   Has overall responsibility for maintaining appropriate risk tolerance
     levels to include final approval and override authority on requests made by
     bank officers for payment of the NSF items, overdrafts, and cash items.
     Also responsible for the identification of kite suspects and the review of
     items drawn against uncollected funds.

5.   Has overall responsibility for the bank's consumer loan portfolio and asset
     quality.

6.   Responsible for all loan operation functions to include consumer,
     commercial and real estate loan operations.

7.   Serves as the bank's CRA Officer and, as such, formulates and maintains a
     program designed to ensure optimum compliance with the Community
     Reinvestment Act (CRA) and the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA).

8.   Keeps informed of new and pending laws and regulations affecting the bank's
     policies and procedures and initiates changes as appropriate.

9.   Responsible for all deposit operation functions to include item processing,
     courier services, and data processing.


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10.  Supervises Human Resource Administration.

COMPLIANCE:

1.   Manages the audit function to ensure proper operational and functional
     controls, and adherence to corporate policies and procedures.

2.   Coordinates all regulatory examinations and audit and accounting work.

3.   Establishes and implements all operating procedures to insure proper
     internal controls.

4.   Develops, implements, and maintains an effective compliance program to
     insure that the bank is in full compliance with all applicable laws and
     regulations.

5.   Acts as the bank's Security Officer to insure compliance with the
     requirements of the Bank Security Act.

FINANCIAL REPORTS AND PLANNING:

1.   Responsible for the preparation of financial statements, including balance
     sheets, profit and loss statements and statements of sources and uses of
     funds as required by external auditors, SEC, OCC, and other regulatory
     agencies.

2.   Manages the accounting practices of the bank, keeping proper ledger records
     in order to determine an accurate financial picture.

3.   Responsible for the preparation of financial reports, which monitor
     Asset/Liability management and interest rate risk. These monthly reports
     should include at a minimum the bank's liquidity position and liquidity
     ratios, net interest margin, deposit and loan volume trends and interest
     rates, and an inventory of securities.

4.   Along with the CEO, manages the bank's investment portfolio to maximize
     yield and insure adequate liquidity. This includes proper pledging of
     securities for public funds.

5.   Develops, implements, and controls the profit plan including the tax
     planning for the year in order to maximize cash management and funds
     available for investment. Also, analyzes results compared to the profit
     plan to identify potential problems and develops possible revenue producing
     strategies.