Nashville is quickly becoming a cybersecurity hub as major healthcare, finance, automotive, and tech companies expand their footprint in the city. With rising threats and growing digital operations, strong security leadership matters more than ever. This list highlights ten Nashville-based CISOs and security executives who are shaping strategy, strengthening resilience, and leading some of the region’s most important cyber programs.
David Baker
Chief Information Security Officer, Volunteer Bank
David Baker leads cybersecurity for Volunteer Bank and serves on the InfoSec Nashville CISO Advisory Committee. He helps support financial-sector security and plays an active role in strengthening the local InfoSec community.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/financialciso
Joey Johnson
Chief Information Security Officer, Premise Health
Joey Johnson oversees enterprise security for Premise Health and co-founded the CISO Executive Network Nashville Chapter. He is a key figure in building collaboration among cybersecurity leaders in the city.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joey-johnson-6453999
Jim Desmond
CISO, HireRight
Jim Desmond brings decades of cybersecurity and risk management experience, including time as Asurion’s Chief Security Officer. He now leads security at HireRight and is known for developing scalable and mature programs.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimdesmond
Andy Heins
CISO, LifePoint Health
Andy Heins leads security for LifePoint Health and was a finalist for CISO of the Year 2025. He oversees security operations across a large healthcare network and supports safe clinical workflows.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyheins
Elliott Franklin
CISO, Fortitude Re
Elliott Franklin manages cybersecurity for Fortitude Re and was also a CISO of the Year 2025 finalist. His work supports a risk-driven organization where oversight and governance are central to operations.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliottfranklin
Nagi Kudithini
CISO, Nissan
Nagi Kudithini oversees global security for Nissan and leads programs that protect manufacturing, supply chains, and enterprise systems. He was recognized as a finalist for CISO of the Year 2025.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nagireddy-kudithini-6452516b/
Craig Barber
VP and Chief Information Security Officer, Imagine Pediatrics
Craig Barber is an established Nashville security leader with a focus on healthcare cybersecurity. He helps organizations strengthen patient-care systems and improve operational readiness.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-barber/
Jason Barnett
Chief Security Officer, HCA Healthcare
Jason Barnett directs security efforts at HCA Healthcare, one of the country’s largest healthcare systems. His work covers governance, compliance, and enterprise defense across a complex clinical environment.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-barnett-9a393a2/
Scott Bleau
SVP, Infrastructure and Security, Restaurant Growth Services
Scott Bleau serves as a senior security and infrastructure leader for a national food-service group. He works on enterprise technology operations and contributes to Nashville’s growing cybersecurity network.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-bleau-44b57128/
Roger Brotz
Chief Information Security Officer, Acadia Healthcare
Roger Brotz leads cybersecurity for Acadia Healthcare. He focuses on securing behavioral health and patient-support systems for one of the country’s largest providers in the sector.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-brotz/
Nashville’s cybersecurity landscape is expanding, and these ten CISOs are at the center of it. They protect key industries such as healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and technology. They also support the region’s security culture through advisory work, public speaking, and community involvement. As Nashville grows, these leaders will continue to guide the city’s cybersecurity future.