Chief Executive Officer
David Hart was appointed Chief Executive Officer of TRICOR in 2016, following eight years of service as the agency's Chief Operations Officer. Mr. Hart brings over 35 years of diverse experience in business, government, and workforce development. In his role, Hart oversees the comprehensive management of the organization, which includes manufacturing operations, business services, agriculture, and offender programming across 12 locations within the Tennessee Department of Correction facilities. Hart is also responsible for developing and implementing policies and growth strategy opportunities and serves as the primary liaison to the Tennessee Department of Correction and the Tennessee General Assembly.
In fiscal year 2020, Hart spearheaded the successful legislative effort to allow TRICOR to partner with county and city jails to provide work training programs for locally housed individuals. Currently, there are several potential programs in development. In addition, during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hart facilitated TRICOR’s production of over 445,000 PPE items, including gowns, masks, and face shields, for Tennessee’s first responders and healthcare personnel and established call centers that processed approximately 200,000 calls from citizens across the state of Tennessee seeking unemployment assistance through the Tennessee Department of Labor.
Under Hart’s leadership, TRICOR achieved multiple Level 3 Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence (TNCPE) Achievement Awards. Hart was personally honored by the Association of Paroling Authorities International as the 2020 recipient of the Dr. Kenneth Walker Community Service Award, which recognizes and rewards individuals and organizations who have contributed significantly to furthering the rehabilitative efforts of parole. Additionally, in May 2024, the National Correctional Industries Association (NCIA) honored Hart with the prestigious Rodli Award for his sustained, outstanding contributions to the Correctional Industries field and the NCIA throughout his career.
Committed to lifelong learning, Hart fosters a culture of continuous development within the TRICOR organization by actively promoting staff growth and education. He has completed two of Tennessee’s premier leadership programs: the inaugural 2010 class of LEAD Tennessee and the 2011 class of the Tennessee Government Executive Institute (TGEI). Hart's dedication to service is evident in his service on the boards of Dismas House Inc. of Nashville, the Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence (TNCPE), and the You Have the Power organization. His previous service as an examiner for the TNCPE and a board member of the National Correctional Industries Association (NCIA) further demonstrates his broad expertise and commitment to the field.
Hart is a recognized leader in Correctional Industries. He continues to serve as a subject matter expert, presenter, and member of the National Correctional Industries Association (NCIA). He is also a Certified Facilitator and Certified Trainer for the National Institute of Corrections’ Thinking for a Change Program. This integrated cognitive behavioral change curriculum focuses on cognitive restructuring, social skills development, and problem-solving skills. Hart also completed their National Industries Leadership Training.
Hart's educational background includes a B.S. in Business Administration and Finance from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri, and an M.B.A. from Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee.
Through his commitment to their mission of rehabilitation, Hart remains dedicated to transforming lives by supporting the reintegration of individuals into the community and creating meaningful societal change.