<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.2


                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     THIS AGREEMENT is made as of the 14th day of March, 2006, by and among
PINNACLE NATIONAL BANK (the "Bank"), a national bank; PINNACLE FINANCIAL
PARTNERS, INC., 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 HAROLD R. CARPENTER, a resident
of the State of Tennessee (the "Executive").

                                    RECITALS:

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

     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 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;


<PAGE>

               (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:

               (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



                                       2
<PAGE>

          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 l4a-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.

     1.9 "EFFECTIVE DATE" shall mean the date March 14, 2006.

     1.10 "INITIAL TERM" shall mean that period of time commencing on March 14,
2006 (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.



                                       3
<PAGE>

     1.12 "TRADE SECRETS" means Employer information including, but not limited
to, technical or non technical 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 Financial 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.

     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;


                                       4
<PAGE>

               (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) 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;

               (b) 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

               (c) 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:



                                       5
<PAGE>

               (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 Executive's 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
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(b) or (c); 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



                                       6
<PAGE>

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.

     3.6 SECTION 409A OF THE CODE. To the extent required to comply with Section
409A of the Code, as determined by the Executive's counsel if requested by the
Executive, one or more payments under this Article 3 shall be delayed to the six
month anniversary of the date of Executive's separation from service, within the
meaning of Code Section 409A. In addition, if and to the extent required to
prevent a violation of Section 409A of the Code, as determined by the
Executive's counsel if requested by the Executive, the Executive will pay the
entire cost of any health insurance benefits provided under this Article 3 for
the first six (6) months after the effective date of the termination and the
Employer will reimburse the Executive for the Employer's share of such costs on
the six-month anniversary of the Executive's "separation from service" as
defined in Section 409A of the Code.


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 $175,000 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 discretion. The
Executive's Base Salary shall be reviewed by the Board of Directors of the Bank
and the Company, or the Company's Human Resources, Nominating and Compensation
Committee, 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, or the Company's Human Resources,
Nominating and Compensation Committee, 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.


                                       7
<PAGE>

     4.3 HEALTH INSURANCE.

               (a) In the event of termination by the Executive for Cause
          (Section 3.2.2(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.

               (b) In the event of a termination by the Employer without Cause
          (Section 3.2.1(b)), 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.

     4.4 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.

     4.5 VACATION. On a non-cumulative basis, the Executive shall be entitled to
five (5) weeks of vacation in each successive twelve-month period during the
Term, during which his compensation shall be paid in full.

     4.6 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.

     4.7 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.


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<PAGE>

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.

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.


                                       9

<PAGE>

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:

                         211 Commerce Street, Suite 300
                         Nashville, Tennessee 387201

               (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 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



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<PAGE>

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
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.






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                                       11

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         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

                                  By: /s/ M. Terry Turner
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                  Name: M. Terry Turner
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
                                        --------------------------------------


                                  THE COMPANY:


                                  PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC.

                                  By: /s/ M. Terry Turner
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                  Name: M. Terry Turner
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
                                        --------------------------------------


                                  THE EXECUTIVE:

                                   /s/ Harold R. Carpenter
                                  --------------------------------------------
                                  HAROLD R. CARPENTER








                                       12

<PAGE>


                                    EXHIBIT A

                         INITIAL DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE


                             CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Has overall responsibility for the Company's accounting, finance and treasury
management functions. Position oversees financial planning, financial reporting,
corporate finance, and other related areas. PNFP's Chief Financial Officer has
several key responsibilities and accountabilities:

     1.   Develop reliable financial systems to facilitate corporate and unit
          decision-making in a timely fashion.

               o    Design and implement processes to give managers the
                    necessary financial data to make decisions and monitor
                    performance in a timely manner.

               o    Monitor the overall financial health of PNFP using
                    established strategic framework metrics.

               o    Design budgeting and strategic planning processes in order
                    to optimize performance of PNFP. Coordinate a periodic
                    financial forecasting process such that executive management
                    is continually aware of the probability of the Company
                    meeting its financial objectives. Develop alternatives to
                    assist the firm in meeting those objectives when required.

               o    Monitor the interest rate risk position of the firm and play
                    a key role in the firm's ALCO, being primarily responsible
                    for promoting recommendations regarding balance sheet
                    strategy and optimizing the firm's performance considering
                    all factors to balance short- and long-term results.
                    Actively manage the bank's investment portfolio to maximize
                    yield and insure adequate liquidity.

               o    Manage the capital position of the firm such that the firm
                    maintains a "well capitalized" status at all times.

     2.   Ensure the effective management of accounting operations and financial
          reporting.

               o    Responsible for the determination of all accounting policies
                    for the firm. Ensure integrity and transparency of PNFP's
                    reporting processes and that financial information is
                    prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
                    principles. Responsible for the maintaining of accurate
                    financial records that will withstand audit and regulatory
                    scrutiny.

               o    Ensure that all external financial reporting obligations are
                    met within prescribed time frames. This would apply to not
                    only public filings with the SEC, but also financial and
                    other information filings with banking and other regulators.
                    Actively maintain and work to improve the Company's internal
                    controls over financial reporting such that quarterly
                    certifications can be included in the required SEC reports.


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               o    Execute all major financial transactions.

               o    Enforce financial discipline/guidelines and controls to key
                    players at PNFP. Be the lead promoter such that PNFP
                    maintains "best practices" compliance with all requirements
                    of Sarbanes Oxley Section 404.

               o    Responsible for compliance off all tax reporting
                    requirements with the various local, state and Federal tax
                    authorities. Be proactive in the execution of sound
                    strategies to minimize the Company's tax burden.

     3.  Develop and communicate PNFP's overall financial strategy to
         stakeholders.

               o    Design and execute a strategy to communicate key elements of
                    PNFP's financial strategy to the investment community,
                    shareholders and associates.

               o    Review peer performance and develop statistical information
                    that may assist in the development of new strategies for
                    PNFP.

               o    Maintain a keen awareness of the equity markets and how
                    PNFP's market capitalization might be impacted by various
                    economic events.

     4.  Build finance capability at PNFP.

               o    Select and hire personnel with the experience and skills
                    necessary to perform all finance functions.

               o    Evaluate and develop finance personnel.

               o    Support effective development and performance of staff

     5.  Provide recommendations to the CEO and the Board on major financial and
         other decisions and carry out the financial policy decisions as
         approved by senior management and/or the Board.

               o    Provide assistance to the Audit and the Human Resource,
                    Nominating and Compensation Committees in the execution of
                    their responsibilities.

               o    Provide assistance to CAO and Chief Compliance Officer as to
                    coordination of periodic examinations by banking regulators.

               o    Evaluation of acquisition options.

               o    Assist in the execution of overall governance of the firm.




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