MEET DAMON
Damon Hininger is a man of faith, devoted husband and father, successful businessman, and trusted civic leader.
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. Then in 2022, Damon received the E.R. Cass Correctional Achievement award–the highest honor a correctional professional can receive. 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.
AND CARRIE!
Carrie Becker Hininger is a dedicated philanthropist, community leader, and advocate for education and faith-based initiatives. She has built a life centered on service, family, and community engagement.
The proud daughter of a career Army officer, Carrie feels privileged to have lived in various countries and states. Her father retired in Leavenworth, Kansas, where she attended high school and met the love of her life, Damon. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Kansas State University, where Damon also attended. Their shared commitment to education and philanthropy led them to establish the Hininger Professorship in the College of Arts and Sciences at Kansas State University, aimed at recruiting and retaining top faculty to advance the university’s mission.
Carrie went on to earn her Master of Accountancy degree from Belmont University and became a Certified Public Accountant shortly thereafter while working as a Financial Auditor for HCA Healthcare.
A proud mother of twins, Robert and Milly, Carrie places a strong emphasis on family values. She has a passion for education and volunteers her time with various organizations, including P.E.O. (a philanthropic educational organization supporting women), Chi Omega fraternity, and the public schools attended by Milly and Robert. In addition to her philanthropic work, Carrie has been involved in political activities, supporting conservative causes and candidates.
Carrie and Damon are active members of First Presbyterian Church of Nashville, where she serves as an Elder. Their faith plays a central role in their lives, guiding their community involvement and philanthropic efforts.
Carrie Hininger’s life reflects a commitment to faith, family, education, and community service. Her contributions have had a lasting impact on her community and beyond, demonstrating the power of dedicated civic engagement.