Damon Hininger

Damon Hininger has built a distinguished career in business and civic engagement. His insight and expertise are frequently sought by policymakers, his peers in business, and non-profit organizations. He is well known for his philanthropy and community involvement.Damon’s parents taught him the value of hard work, honesty, and dedication to always doing the right thing.The first in his family to go to college, Damon earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Kansas State University and then began his career as a correctional officer at a maximum security prison in Leavenworth, Kansas. Damon quickly earned a reputation for fairness. His commitment to hard work and focus on results earned him promotion after promotion. He served in leadership roles across the company including becoming a vice president at the age of 30. He was named President and Chief Operating Officer in 2008, and ultimately Chief Executive Officer of CoreCivic in 2009. In 2011, Hininger was recognized by Forbes as one of the “Top 20 Most Powerful CEOs 40 and Under,” and he has twice been named one of Tennessee’s “Most Admired” CEOs by the Nashville Business Journal. Damon’s legacy in business is one of innovation, ethics, and relentless pursuit of improvement to build safer, more resilient communities.

In addition to his bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University, Damon holds a master’s of business administration from the Jack C. Massey Graduate School of Business at Belmont University. He was honored in 2010 as the Massey Graduate School Alumni of the Year.Despite the demands of his professional life, Damon places primary importance on family. Damon and Carrie live in Brentwood with their twins, Robert & Milly. They are active members of First Presbyterian Church of Nashville, where Damon and Carrie both teach Sunday School and Carrie is an Elder.