
Steve Amos
President | CEO

Carla Hickey
SVP | Chief Financial Officer

Linda Leonard
SVP | Chief People Officer

Jonathan Gwinn
SVP | Regional Market President

Matt Synowiez
SVP | Senior Lending Officer

Cletus "C.J." Tate
SVP | Senior Credit Administrator

Steve Amos
President | CEO
Meet Steve! Steve Amos serves as President and CEO at First Peoples Bank. In this role, he guides the strategic direction and day to day operations with a goal of building a boutique community banking model that is second to none. Mr. Amos joined First Peoples Bank in 2017 and assumed his current role in 2021. Throughout his 20+ year banking career, Mr. Amos has held a variety of positions in both management and credit. Mr. Amos would refer to himself as a “Jack of all trades” with hobbies that include, running, guitar, painting, NFT’s, travel, reading, gardening and his newest bonsai. He is honored to serve the clients, team members, and shareholders of First Peoples Bank.

Carla Hickey
SVP | Chief Financial Officer
Meet Carla! In 1994, Carla started her journey with First Peoples Bank as an Administrative Assistant. Throughout her many roles with the company, she has grown into the leader she is today serving as Chief Financial Officer. With 33+ years of banking experience under her belt, she is an invaluable asset to the FPB team. Carla has worn many hats throughout her career including administrative assistant, branch manager, mortgage loan officer, accounting officer, vice president and cashier, and senior vice president and cashier before assuming her role as CFO. Outside of her responsibilities at the bank, Carla enjoys spending quality time with her family, especially when it involves time on the water. Carla is proud to serve the team members and shareholders of First Peoples Bank.

Linda Leonard
SVP | Chief People Officer
Meet Linda! Linda Leonard serves as Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer at First Peoples Bank. In this role, she is responsible for all aspects of human resource management, including teammate relations and talent acquisition, learning and development, payroll, total rewards, and human capital systems. Linda began her career in banking as a teller and has served in a variety of roles throughout her career in the lending and retail side of banking to include Branch Manager with First Peoples Bank beginning in 2002. Linda’s role in the strategic oversight of the employee experience began when she accepted the role of Human Resources at our main office in 2011. Linda’s passion for learning led her to add the credentials of Professional in Human Resources from HRCI in 2019 and her certification as a certificated professional with the Society of Human Resource Management as SHRM-CP in 2022. In 2023, Linda focused on diversity and inclusion to add a certificate in D&I in HR management with HRCI.

Matt Synowiez
SVP | Senior Lending Officer
Meet Matt! Matt Synowiez serves as Senior Vice President and Senior Lending Officer at First Peoples Bank. In this role, he is responsible for providing quality financing options for bank clients and investments in the community. Matt began his career in banking as a teller and has served in a variety of roles throughout his career in the lending and commercial and corporate side of banking to include teller, customer service representative, commercial banker, corporate banker, regional president and now Senior Lending Officer with First Peoples Bank. Matt has many long-term banking relationships and enjoys working with clients to help make their business dreams a reality.

Jonathan Gwinn
SVP | Regional Market President
Meet Jonathan! Mr. Gwinn serves as the Market President for the Jefferson, Hamblen, and Knox County communities. He has created a number of valuable relationships and enjoys supporting the clients and team members of First Peoples Bank. He has a B.S. in Accounting from Emory and Henry College along with and impressive twenty years of banking experience, primarily in lending. He supports the community by serving as a board member with the Boys and Girls Club of Morristown, volunteering with cub scouts, and coaching youth sports. Stop in and see Jonathan and his friendly team at our Talbott location, conveniently located between Morristown and Jefferson City!

Cletus “C.J.” Tate
SVP | Senior Credit Administrator
Meet C.J.! C.J. Tate is Senior Vice President and Senior Credit Administrator at First Peoples Bank of Tennessee, a position he has held since 2024. He brings a wealth of experience from various roles in banking, including Personal Banker, Relationship Banker, Assistant Branch Manager, Branch Manager, Loan Officer, and Assistant Vice President. C.J. is a graduate of the Southeastern School of Consumer Lending and Southeastern School of Commercial Lending, and holds an MBA from Tennessee Tech along with a Certificate in Banking and Financial Services. He has also served as East TN Director for the Young Bankers Division of Tennessee Bankers Association and currently volunteers on the Young Professionals Board for Special Olympics TN. Before his career in banking, C.J. spent 10 years in the hospitality industry. Outside of work, he enjoys clay shooting, golf, spending time with his family, and cheering on UT Football.