John Daniel
Veteran HR Executive & Author
John Daniel is a veteran HR executive with deep experience in leading people and creating a
positive company culture. He is a recognized thought leader and speaks at various organizations on
culture, leadership, human behavior, and change management.
After forty-seven years in the banking industry, John retired in 2021-his most recent executive
role having served as chief human resources officer at First Horizon Bank. He is a recipient of the
2020 James House Williamson Award for his contributions in advancing the HR profession.
In 2022, John was a fellow at Harvard University, studying social impact strategies as part of the
Advanced Leadership Initiative. He is a social entrepreneur and owner of Bluff City Pickleball Club
in Bartlett, TN-its mission to promote health, wellbeing, and social engagement.
John is active in his community and serves on the boards of the United Way of the Mid-South,
Seeding Success, First 8, The Center for Transforming Communities, and River City Capital. A heart-transplant recipient, John and his wife, Leslie, were honored in 2022 with the Living Heart Award by the American Heart Association for their contributions to the AHA.
positive company culture. He is a recognized thought leader and speaks at various organizations on
culture, leadership, human behavior, and change management.
After forty-seven years in the banking industry, John retired in 2021-his most recent executive
role having served as chief human resources officer at First Horizon Bank. He is a recipient of the
2020 James House Williamson Award for his contributions in advancing the HR profession.
In 2022, John was a fellow at Harvard University, studying social impact strategies as part of the
Advanced Leadership Initiative. He is a social entrepreneur and owner of Bluff City Pickleball Club
in Bartlett, TN-its mission to promote health, wellbeing, and social engagement.
John is active in his community and serves on the boards of the United Way of the Mid-South,
Seeding Success, First 8, The Center for Transforming Communities, and River City Capital. A heart-transplant recipient, John and his wife, Leslie, were honored in 2022 with the Living Heart Award by the American Heart Association for their contributions to the AHA.