Exhibit 10.1

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is entered into as of this 28th day of January, 2016, and effective as the Effective Date, as defined in Paragraph 1.9 below, by and among PINNACLE BANK (the “Bank”), a Tennessee state 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 Ronald L. Samuels, a resident of the State of Tennessee (the “Executive”).

RECITALS:

The Bank desires to employ the Executive as its Vice Chairman 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 the Company, 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, and that 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 that 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 of such board 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, charge 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;

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(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;

(b) an adverse 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) an adverse change in supervisory authority 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 such reduction;

provided, that within 30 days following the initial occurrence of any of the conditions listed in 1.4.2(a) to (e) above, the Executive shall have provided notice to the Employer of the existence of such condition, and the Employer shall not have remedied the condition to the reasonable satisfaction of Executive within 30 days of receiving such notice.

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 Company or the Bank, 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;

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(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 definition of Disability required by Section 409A of the Code.

1.9 “EFFECTIVE DATE” shall mean the date the merger between the Company and Avenue Financial Holdings, Inc. is consummated.

1.10 “TERM” shall mean that period of time commencing on the Effective Date and running until the third (3rd) anniversary of the Effective Date.

1.11 “TRADE SECRETS” means information of the Bank or the Company 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 the Vice Chairman of the Bank and, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors of the Bank 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 in connection with the conduct of its business.

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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;

(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 Company’s and the Bank’s Chief Executive Officer 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.

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:

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(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 or the Company shall give the Executive thirty (30) days’ prior written notice of its intent to terminate Executive’s employment, in which event the Employer shall be required to continue to pay Executive’s then current base salary for the remainder of the Term as a severance benefit in accordance with Employer’s normal payroll practices; 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 Executive’s Employment, in which event, the Employer shall be required to continue to pay Executive’s then current base salary for a period of six (6) months or until the Executive begins receiving payments under the Employer’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 pay Executive’s then current base salary for the remainder of the Term as a severance benefit in accordance with the Employer’s normal payroll practices; 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, within twelve (12) months following a Change of Control, the Employer terminates the Executive’s employment with the Employer under this Agreement without Cause or the Executive terminates his employment with the Employer under this Agreement for Cause, 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 two (2) times the Executive’s then current Base Salary and target bonus amount for the year in which the Executive’s employment terminates, to be paid in full on the last day of the month following the date of termination.

If it shall be determined that any payment or benefit (within the meaning of Code Section 280G(b)(2)) to the Executive or for the Executive’s benefit paid or payable or distributed or distributable (including, but not limited to, the acceleration of the time for the vesting or payment of such benefit or payment) pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise in connection with, or arising out of, the Executive’s employment with the Employer or a Change of Control within the meaning of Code Section 280G (a “Payment” or “Payments”), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Code § 4999 (the “Excise Tax”), (i) then the Payments shall be reduced (but not below zero) to the extent necessary that no portion thereof shall be subject to the excise tax imposed by Code § 4999 (the “Section 4999 Limit”), but only if (ii) the net amount of such Payment, as so reduced, is greater than or equal to the net amount of such Payment if such reduction were not made and had the Executive paid such Excise Tax.

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Unless the Executive shall have given prior written notice specifying a different order to the Bank and the Company to effectuate the limitations described in the immediately preceding paragraph, the Employer shall reduce or eliminate the Payments by first reducing or eliminating those Payments or benefit which are not payable in cash and then by reducing or eliminating cash Payments, in each case in reverse order beginning with payments or benefits which are to be paid the farthest in time. Any notice given by the Executive pursuant to the preceding sentence shall take precedent over the provisions of any other plan, arrangement or agreement governing the Executive’s rights and entitlements to any benefits or compensation.

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); and/or Section 3.3; 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 SECTION 409A MATTERS. It is intended that (i) each payment or installment of payments provided under this Agreement is a separate “payment” for purposes of Code Section 409A and (ii) that the payments satisfy, to the greatest extent possible, the exemptions from the application of Code Section 409A, including those provided under Treasury Regulations 1.409A-1(b)(4) (regarding short-term deferrals), 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) (regarding the two-times, two year exception), and 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v) (regarding reimbursements and other separation pay). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if the Employer determines (i) that on the date of Executive’s separation from service or at such other time that the Employer determines to be relevant, the Executive is a “specified employee” (as such term is defined under Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(i)(1)) of the Employer and (ii) that any payments to be provided to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement are or may become subject to the additional tax under Code Section 409A(a)(1)(B) or any other taxes or penalties imposed under Code Section 409A (“Section 409A Taxes”) if provided at the time otherwise required under this Agreement, then such payments shall be delayed until the date that is six (6) months after the date of the Executive’s separation from service with the Employer, or such shorter period that, as determined by the Employer, is sufficient to avoid the imposition of Section 409A Taxes. Any payments delayed pursuant to this Section 3.5 shall be made in a lump sum on the first day of the seventh month following the Executive’s separation from service, or such earlier date that, as determined by the Employer, is sufficient to avoid the imposition of any Section 409A Taxes

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 Term, the Executive shall be compensated at a base rate of $424,300 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 Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the board of directors of the Bank and the Company at least annually,

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and the Executive shall be entitled to receive annually an increase in such amount, if any, as may be determined by the Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the board of directors of the Bank and 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 Human Resources and Compensation Committee of 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 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 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.

4.4 PERSONAL DAYS. On a non-cumulative basis, the Executive shall be entitled to thirty (30) personal days in each successive twelve-month period during the Term, during which his compensation shall be paid in full.

4.5 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.

4.6 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;

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(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 Employer 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 covenants contained in Section 5 of this Agreement are of the essence of this Agreement; that the covenants are reasonable and necessary to protect the business, interests and properties of the Employer.

6. NONCOMPETITION AND NONSOLICITATION. The Executive acknowledges that the services to be rendered by the Executive to the Employer are of a special and unique character. The Executive agrees that, in consideration of the benefits provided for herein and his continued employment, the Executive will not, for three (3) years following the date of termination of Executive’s employment whether by Executive or the Employer or at any time during which the Employer is making payments to Executive under the terms of this Agreement, either on the Executive’s own account or for any other person or entity, directly or indirectly, within the Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Columbia, TN Combined Statistical Area, (i) engage, whether as principal, agent, investor, representative, shareholder, officer, employee, consultant or otherwise, with or without remuneration in any form, in any activity or business venture that is competitive with the Business of the Employer, (ii) solicit or endeavor to solicit away from the Employer any person who was, during any portion of the Executive’s employment with the Employer, a director, officer, employee, agent or consultant of the Employer, whether or not such person would commit a breach of such person’s contract of employment by reason of leaving the service of the Employer, or (iii) service, solicit or endeavor to solicit away any of the clients or customers of the Employer.

The Employer’s obligation to make payments or provide for any benefits under this Agreement will cease upon a violation by Executive of the preceding provisions of this Section 6. The Executive acknowledges that the Employer may be severely and irreparably damaged in the event the Executive violates the provisions of this Section 6, and that the extent of the damage may be difficult or impossible to determine. Therefore, the Executive agrees that, in addition to the remedies provided above, the Employer will be entitled to equitable relief, including a preliminary as well as a permanent injunction (without the necessity of posting a bond). The Executive’s agreement as set forth in this Section 6 will (i) continue throughout the duration of the Executive’s employment with the Employer; and (ii) survive the termination of this Agreement and/or the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Employer, whether or not such termination is voluntary or is the result of termination of the Executive by the Employer with or without Cause.

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Executive acknowledges that he is also a party to that certain Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of August 20, 2014 by and between Executive and Avenue Financial Holdings, Inc. (the “Employment Agreement”) pursuant to which he has agreed to restrictions on his ability to compete with Avenue Financial Holdings, Inc. or solicit, among others, Avenue Financial Holdings, Inc.’s customers and employees. Executive further acknowledges that the restrictions contained in the Employment Agreement shall survive the termination of the Employment Agreement, are in addition to those contained herein, may be more restrictive than those contained herein and that the Employer, as successor to Avenue Financial Holdings, Inc. shall be entitled to the protections afforded under both this Agreement and the Employment Agreement.

If any restriction in this Section 6 is adjudicated to exceed the time, geographic, service or other limitations permitted by applicable law in the applicable jurisdiction, then the Executive agrees that such may be modified and narrowed, either by a court or the Employer, to the maximum time, geographic, service or other limitations permitted by applicable law, so as to preserve and protect the Employer’s legitimate business interest, without negating or impairing any other restrictions or undertaking set forth in this Agreement.

7. 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.

8. 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. SERP ASSUMPTION. Employer acknowledges that Executive is also a party to that certain Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Agreement dated as of October 26, 2007 by and between Executive and Avenue Bank, and the Bank hereby agrees, in connection with the merger between Avenue Bank and the Bank, to assume such agreement and the benefits and obligations thereunder effective as of the Effective Date.

10. 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:

Hugh M. Queener

Chief Administrative Officer

150 Third Avenue South, Suite 900

Nashville, Tennessee 37201

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(ii) If to the Executive, to him at the most recent mailing address of the Executive that the Employer has on record.

Either party may notify the other in writing in the event of a change in the address for such notice.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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 district 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.

14. 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.

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

16. 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.

17. 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. Except as set forth in Section 6 hereof with respect to the survival of the non-competition and non-solicitation provisions of the Employment Agreement, which shall continue to be in full force and effect from and after the date hereof, all prior understandings and agreements relating to the subject matter of this Agreement, including the Employment Agreement, are hereby expressly terminated and superseded as of the Effective Date.

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18. 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.

19. BINDING AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Executive, his heirs and personal representatives, and the Bank and the Company and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

20. SURVIVAL. The obligations of the Executive pursuant to Section 5 and Section 6 shall survive the termination of the employment of the Executive hereunder for the period designated under each of those respective sections.

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

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

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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.

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Exhibit 10.2

PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC.

2016 RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT

Avenue Leadership

THIS RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is by and between Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc., a Tennessee corporation (the “Company”), and                      (the “Grantee”). Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan”).

Section 1. Restricted Stock Award . The Grantee is hereby granted the right to receive          shares (the “Restricted Stock”) of the Company’s common stock, $1.00 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan.

Section 2. Lapse of Restrictions . (a) Subject to Sections 5 and 8 hereof, the restrictions associated with the shares of Restricted Stock granted pursuant to Section 1 hereof shall lapse at such times (each, a “Vesting Date”) and in the amounts set forth below based on the Company achieving levels of Return on Average Tangible Assets (“ROATA”) as described in more detail in Exhibit A for each of the fiscal years ending December 31, 2017, December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019 (each such period a “Performance Period”) established by the Human Resources and Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) of the Board of Directors of the Company not later than the last day of the first 25% of the applicable Performance Period:

(i) the restrictions with respect to up to           shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder shall lapse on the date that the Company’s independent auditors issue their report on the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017, with the actual number of shares for which the forfeiture restrictions shall lapse being based on the Company’s actual ROATA (calculated in accordance with Exhibit A ) for that Performance Period in relation to the levels of ROATA established by the Compensation Committee for that Performance Period and provided further that the Company’s Nonperforming Asset Ratio (as described in Exhibit A ) is less than or equal to [          ]% as of December 31, 2017 (collectively, the ROATA and the Nonperforming Asset Ratio comprise the “2017 Performance Measurements”);

(ii) the restrictions with respect to up to           shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder shall lapse on the date that the Company’s independent auditors issue their report on the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018, with the actual number of shares for which the forfeiture restrictions shall lapse being based on the Company’s actual ROATA (calculated in accordance with Exhibit A ) for that Performance Period in relation to the levels of ROATA established by the Compensation Committee for that Performance Period and provided further that the Company’s Nonperforming Asset Ratio (as described in Exhibit A ) is less than or equal to [          ]% as of December 31, 2018 (collectively, the ROATA and the Nonperforming Asset Ratio comprise the “2018 Performance Measurements”); and

(iii) the restrictions with respect to up to           shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder shall lapse on the date that the Company’s independent auditors issue their report on the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019, with the actual number of shares for which the forfeiture restrictions shall lapse being based on the Company’s actual ROATA (calculated in accordance with Exhibit A ) for that Performance Period in relation to the levels of ROATA established by the Compensation Committee for that Performance Period and provided further that the Company’s Nonperforming Asset Ratio (as described in Exhibit A ) is less than or equal to [          ]% as of December 31, 2019 (collectively, the ROATA and the Nonperforming Asset Ratio comprise the “2017 Performance Measurements” and together with the 2016 Performance Measurements and the 2017 Performance Measurements, the “Performance Measurements”).

(c) Any shares of Restricted Stock for which the Performance Measurements identified above are not met shall be immediately forfeited and the Grantee shall have no further rights with respect to such shares of Restricted Stock.

(e) In the event that the Compensation Committee determines that an event has occurred during any fiscal year which has impacted the Company’s Performance Measurements for such fiscal year, the Compensation Committee shall have the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to increase or decrease the Performance Measurements to reflect such event for purposes of calculating the vesting of shares of Restricted Stock under this Section 2 for such fiscal year and for any or all future fiscal years; provided, however, that the Compensation Committee shall not make such changes as would cause the award hereunder to be in violation of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Section 3. Distribution of Restricted Stock . Certificates representing the shares of Restricted Stock that have vested under Section 2 will be distributed to the Grantee as soon as practicable after each Vesting Date.

Section 4 Voting Rights and Dividends . Prior to the distribution of unrestricted shares pursuant to Section 3 , certificates representing shares of the Restricted Stock issued pursuant to this Agreement will be held by the Company or such other person as the Company may designate (the “Custodian”) in the name of the Grantee. The Custodian will take such action as is necessary and appropriate to enable the Grantee to vote the Restricted Stock. All dividends (whether paid in cash, shares of Common Stock or other property) paid by the Company prior to the Vesting Date with respect to any shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder shall be paid to the Custodian to be held in escrow for the benefit of the Grantee, and shall not be remitted to the Grantee until such time as the forfeiture restrictions with respect to the shares of the Restricted Stock on which such dividends were paid lapse in accordance with Sections 2(a)(i) , (a)(ii) or (a)(iii) , as applicable, of this Agreement. Stock dividends issued with respect to the shares of the Restricted Stock prior to the Vesting Date for such shares of Restricted Stock shall be treated as additional shares of the Restricted Stock that are subject to the same restrictions and other terms and conditions that apply to the shares of Restricted Stock on which such dividends were paid. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no dividend rights shall inure to the Grantee with respect to shares of Restricted Stock that are forfeited pursuant to Section 1(c) of this Agreement and any dividends or other distributions previously paid on shares of Restricted Stock prior to the forfeiture thereof shall be forfeited by the Grantee and promptly remitted to the Company by the Custodian.

Section 5. Termination/Change of Status . In the event that the Grantee’s employment by the Company (or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company) terminates for any reason, other than death, Disability or Retirement, all shares of Restricted Stock for which the forfeiture restrictions have not lapsed prior to the termination of the Grantee’s employment (including, after giving effect to any pro rata lapsing of the forfeiture restrictions as provided for in the penultimate and final sentences of this Section 5 ) shall be immediately forfeited and the Grantee shall have no further rights with respect to such shares of Restricted Stock. Moreover, in the event that the Grantee’s employment by the Company (or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company) terminates for any reason other than death, Disability or Retirement, the Company will recoup, recover, and recapture from the Grantee any dividends previously paid, or declared but not yet paid, on any shares of Restricted Stock for which the forfeiture restrictions had not yet lapsed (including, after giving effect to any pro rata lapsing of the forfeiture restrictions as provided for in the penultimate and final sentences of this Section 5 ) prior to the termination of the Grantee’s employment and the Company shall be entitled to set off (out of amounts otherwise payable or paid to the Grantee by the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof) or otherwise require the Grantee or the Custodian to repay to the Company the amount of any such dividends. In the event that the Grantee’s employment terminates by reason of death or Disability all Restricted Stock shall be deemed vested as of the date that the Grantee dies or the Company determines that the Grantee was disabled and, the restrictions under the Plan and this Agreement with respect to the Restricted Stock shall automatically expire and shall be of no further force or effect as of such date. In the event that the Grantee’s employment by the Company (or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company) terminates by reason of Retirement, with the prior approval of the Committee, or its designee, (which may be withheld in its absolute discretion), the forfeiture restrictions with respect to that portion of the Grantee’s shares of Restricted Stock that would have vested for the Performance Period in which the Grantee’s Retirement occurred but for the fact that the Grantee was not employed for the entire Performance Period shall lapse as of the date described in Section 2(a)(i) , (a)(ii) or (a)(iii) , as applicable, and such shares shall be deemed vested in an amount equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of Restricted Stock granted under this Agreement for the Performance Period in which the Grantee’s employment terminates by reason of Retirement that would have vested based on the Company’s actual performance for the Performance Period and (ii) the quotient, expressed as a percentage, resulting from dividing (A) the number of days that have lapsed as of the Grantee’s date of Retirement from the first day of the applicable Performance Period and (B) 365, and, the Grantee shall be entitled to receive in settlement of such Restricted Stock a like number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock. Any remaining unvested Restricted Stock (and any related dividends held by the Custodian or previously paid to the Grantee) will be immediately forfeited in accordance with this Section 5 .

Section 6. No Transfer or Pledge of Restricted Stock . No shares of Restricted Stock may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise encumbered or disposed of prior to the date the forfeiture restrictions with respect to such shares have lapsed, if at all, on the Vesting Date applicable to such shares.

Section 7. Withholding of Taxes . If the Grantee makes an election under section 83(b) of the Code with respect to the shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder, the award made pursuant to this Agreement shall be conditioned upon the Grantee making prompt payment to the Company of any applicable withholding obligations or withholding taxes by the Grantee (“Withholding Taxes”). Failure by the Grantee to pay such Withholding Taxes will render this Agreement and the award granted hereunder null and void ab initio and the Restricted Stock granted hereunder will be immediately cancelled. If the Grantee does not make an election under section 83(b) of the Code with respect to the award of Restricted Stock granted under this Agreement, upon a Vesting Date with respect to any portion of the Restricted Stock (or property distributed with respect thereto), the Company shall cancel such shares of the Restricted Stock (or withhold property) having an aggregate Fair Market Value, on the date next preceding the Vesting Date, in an amount required to satisfy the required Withholding Taxes as set forth by Internal Revenue Service guidelines for the employer`s minimum statutory withholding with respect to the Grantee. The Company shall deduct from any distribution of cash (whether or not related to the award of Restricted Stock granted under this Agreement including, without limitation, salary payments) to the Grantee an amount as shall be reasonably required to satisfy the required Withholding Taxes as set forth by Internal Revenue Service guidelines for the employer`s minimum statutory withholding with respect to the Grantee pertaining to cash payments under the award of Restricted Stock granted under this Agreement (including any cash dividends made in respect of the shares of Restricted Stock subject to this award).

Section 8. Change in Control . In the event that a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan) occurs prior to the lapsing of the forfeiture restrictions with respect to any portion of the shares of Restricted Stock awarded hereunder, the Compensation Committee, prior to consummation of such Change in Control, shall determine, based on the Company’s actual performance in respect of the Performance Measurements for the period from the date of this Agreement through the date the Compensation Committee makes such determination, the number of shares of Restricted Stock for which the forfeiture restrictions would be expected to lapse for the Performance Periods that are not yet completed at such time as the Compensation Committee makes its determination and the forfeiture restrictions with respect to such number of shares of Restricted Stock shall, immediately prior to the consummation of such Change in Control, lapse without regard to whether the Performance Measurements with respect to such shares of Restricted Stock will thereafter be achieved.

Section 9. No Right to Continued Employment . This Agreement shall not be construed as giving the Grantee the right to be retained in the employ of the Company (or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company), and the Company (or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company) may at any time dismiss the Grantee from employment, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan or this Agreement.

Section 10. Stock Subject to Award . In the event that the shares of Common Stock of the Company should, as a result of a stock split or stock dividend or combination of shares or any other change, redesignation, merger, consolidation, recapitalization or otherwise, be increased or decreased or changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares of stock or other securities of the Company or of another corporation, the number of shares of Restricted Stock that have been awarded to Grantee shall be adjusted in an equitable and proportionate manner to reflect such action. If any such adjustment shall result in a fractional share, such fraction shall be disregarded.

Section 11. Stock Power . Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, the Grantee shall deliver to the Company a stock power, endorsed in blank, relating to the shares of Restricted Stock. Such stock power shall be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B .

Section 12. Legend . Each certificate representing shares of the Restricted Stock shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

THIS CERTIFICATE AND THE SHARES OF STOCK REPRESENTED HEREBY ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS (INCLUDING FORFEITURE AND RESTRICTIONS AGAINST TRANSFER) CONTAINED IN THE PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. 2014 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN, AS AMENDED (THE “PLAN”) AND THE RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT (THE “AGREEMENT”) BETWEEN THE OWNER OF THE RESTRICTED STOCK REPRESENTED HEREBY AND PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. (THE “COMPANY”). THE RELEASE OF SUCH STOCK FROM SUCH TERMS AND CONDITIONS SHALL BE MADE ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE PLAN AND THE AGREEMENT, COPIES OF WHICH ARE ON FILE AT THE COMPANY.

Section 13. Governing Provisions . This Agreement is made under and subject to the provisions of the Plan, and all of the provisions of the Plan are also provisions of this Agreement. If there is a difference or conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan will govern. By signing this Agreement, the Grantee confirms that he or she has received a copy of the Plan.

Section 14. Miscellaneous .

14.1 Entire Agreement . This Agreement and the Plan contain the entire understanding and agreement between the Company and the Grantee concerning the Restricted Stock and the shares of the Company’s Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to this Agreement, and supersede any prior or contemporaneous negotiations and understandings. The Company and the Grantee have made no promises, agreements, conditions or understandings relating to the Restricted Stock or the shares of the Company’s Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to this Agreement, either orally or in writing, that are not included in this Agreement or the Plan.

14.2 Captions . The captions and section numbers appearing in this Agreement are inserted only as a matter of convenience. They do not define, limit, construe or describe the scope or intent of the provisions of this Agreement.

14.3 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which when signed by the Company and the Grantee will be deemed an original and all of which together will be deemed the same Agreement.

14.4 Compliance With Laws and Regulations . The award of Restricted Stock (and, if issued in settlement of Restricted Stock, shares of the Company’s Common Stock) evidenced hereby shall be subject to all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental or regulatory agency as may be required.

14.5 Notice . Any notice or communication having to do with this Agreement must be given by personal delivery or by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed, if to the Company, to the principal office of the Company, and, if to the Grantee, to the Grantee’s last known address provided by the Grantee to the Company.

14.6 Amendment . This Agreement may be amended by the Company, provided that unless the Grantee consents in writing, the Company cannot amend this Agreement if the amendment will materially change or impair the Grantee’s rights under this Agreement and such change is not to the Grantee’s benefit.

14.7 Successors and Assignment . Each and all of the provisions of this Agreement are binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and the Grantee and their heirs, successors, and assigns. However, the Restricted Stock may not be assigned or transferred except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement or the Plan.

14.8 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed and construed exclusively in accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee applicable to agreements to be performed in the State of Tennessee.

[Signature page to follow.]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Grantee have executed this Agreement to be effective as of July           , 2016.

EXHIBIT A

Performance Measurements

The Performance Measurements shall be established by the Compensation Committee and once established shall thereafter be communicated to the Grantee. The Performance Measurements shall consist of the Company’s Return on Average Tangible Assets for each Performance Period and the Company’s NPA Ratio as of the last day of each Performance Period.

Return on Average Tangible Assets . For purposes of this Exhibit A, “Return on Average Tangible Assets” means the quotient, expressed as a percentage rounded to two decimal points, of (I) the Company’s net income for the applicable Performance Period as reported in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the applicable Performance Period divided by (II) the Company’s average tangible assets for the applicable Performance Period as reflected in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the applicable Performance Period, as adjusted to eliminate the effects of the following: (a) gains or losses on the sale of a business or a business segment, (b) gains or losses on the extinguishment of debt or the sale of investment securities, (c) asset or investment impairment charges (other than those related to the Company’s loan portfolio in the ordinary course of business), (d) restructuring charges, (e) changes in law or accounting principles, and (f) any other expenses or losses resulting from significant, unusual and/or nonrecurring events, as described in management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s annual report to shareholders for the Performance Period, in each case as determined in good faith by the Compensation Committee. Moreover, and without limiting the foregoing, Return on Average Tangible Assets shall be adjusted to exclude the effects of any costs or expenses associated with any merger or acquisition affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any other corporate transaction affecting the shares of the Company’s Common Stock as described in Section 4.2 of the Plan.

NPA Ratio . The Nonperforming Assets Ratio (the “NPA Ratio”) for the Company shall be the quotient resulting from dividing the sum of the unpaid principal balance of nonaccrual loans and other real estate by the sum of total loans and other real estate in each case as reported on the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the applicable Performance Period. When calculating the NPA Ratio for purposes of the Agreement, in the event that the Company or a subsidiary of the Company acquires a finance company, financial institution or a holding company of a financial institution or a branch office thereof, by way of merger or otherwise, or in the event the Company or a subsidiary of the Company shall acquire in an arms-length purchase from a third party any low-quality asset, such acquired non-performing assets or purchased low-quality assets shall be excluded from the calculation.

EXHIBIT B

Stock Power

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned does hereby sell, assign and transfer to Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. (the “Company”),                       shares of the Company`s common stock represented by Certificate No.          . The undersigned authorizes the Secretary of the Company to transfer the stock on the books of the Company in the event of the forfeiture of any shares issued under the Restricted Stock Agreement dated                      , 2015 between the Company and the undersigned.

Dated:                      ,         

Exhibit 10.3

Avenue Bank

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Agreement

AVENUE BANK

SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN AGREEMENT

THIS SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is adopted this 26 day of October, 2007, by and between AVENUE BANK, a state-chartered commercial bank located in Nashville, Tennessee (the “Bank”), and RONALD SAMUELS (the “Executive”).

The purpose of this Agreement is to provide specified benefits to the Executive, a member of a select group of management or highly compensated employees who contribute materially to the continued growth, development and future business success of the Bank. This Agreement shall be unfunded for tax purposes and for purposes of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), as amended from time to time.

Article 1

Definitions

Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings specified:

Avenue Bank

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Agreement

Avenue Bank

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Agreement

Article 2

Distributions During Lifetime

Avenue Bank

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Agreement

If Separation from Service is prior to sixty (60) full months of employment, then Base Salary is the average Base Salary for the period served.

Avenue Bank

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Agreement

If Separation from Service is prior to sixty (60) full months of employment, then Base Salary is the average Base Salary for the period served.

Avenue Bank

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Agreement

The Medicare/Social Security gross-up shall be paid within two and one-half (2  ¹ ⁄ ₂ ) months following the end of each calendar year.

Avenue Bank

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Agreement

Article 3

Distribution at Death

Article 4

Beneficiaries

Avenue Bank

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Agreement

Article 5

General Limitations

Avenue Bank

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Agreement

Avenue Bank

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Agreement

Article 6

Administration of Agreement

Avenue Bank

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Agreement

Article 7

Claims and Review Procedures

Avenue Bank

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Agreement

Avenue Bank

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Agreement

Article 8

Amendments and Termination

Avenue Bank

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Agreement

the Bank may distribute the amount the Executive is vested in under this Agreement, determined as of the date of the termination of this Agreement, to the Executive in a lump sum subject to the above terms.

Article 9

Miscellaneous

Avenue Bank

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Agreement

Such notice shall be deemed given as of the date of delivery or, if delivery is made by mail, as of the date shown on the postmark on the receipt for registration or certification.

Any notice or filing required or permitted to be given to the Executive under this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and hand-delivered or sent by registered or certified mail to the last known address of the Executive.

Avenue Bank

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Agreement

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive and a duly authorized representative of the Bank have signed this Agreement.

Avenue Bank

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Agreement

Beneficiary Designation Form

I, Ronald Samuels, designate the following as Beneficiary under this Agreement:

Notes:

I understand that I may change these Beneficiary designations by delivering a new written designation to the Plan Administrator, which shall be effective only upon receipt and acknowledgment by the Plan Administrator prior to my death. I further understand that the designations will be automatically revoked if the Beneficiary(ies) predeceases me, or, if I have named my spouse as a Beneficiary and I become divorced or legally separated from such spouse.

Received by the Plan Administrator this      day of             , 200