Wade A. Hinton, Esq.
Founder & CEO, Hinton & Company
OVERVIEW
Wade Hinton founded Hinton & Company after 20+ years as a Fortune 250 VP, automotive General Counsel, and City Attorney managing economic development deals that brought thousands of jobs to the region and delivered $228M in measurable results.
He built the firm to partner with organizations facing the challenges he navigated firsthand: culture transformation during strategic change, leadership development that drives measurable results, and high-stakes communications when the margin for error is zero.
The firm serves insurance and financial services companies, chambers of commerce, community foundations, government organizations, and executives navigating high-stakes leadership challenges.
Based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Serving clients nationwide
Fortune 250 Executive Leadership
Vice President of Inclusion & Diversity, Unum Group
Led culture transformation initiatives for a Fortune 250 insurance and financial services company serving millions of customers through 9,000+ employees.
Managed strategic talent development, organizational culture assessment, and inclusive leadership development programs, driving measurable business results.
Recognized nationally as a Top 100 Diversity Officer for impact and innovation in building cultures where talent thrives and organizations win.
Deputy General Counsel, Volkswagen Group of America
Provided legal counsel and strategic guidance for automotive manufacturing operations in a highly regulated, high-stakes environment.
Managed complex litigation, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder relations for a major manufacturing operation.
Oversaw legal aspects of first platinum-LEED-certified automotive manufacturing plant in the United States, balancing environmental leadership with operational excellence.
Government & Public Service
City Attorney, City of Chattanooga
Served as chief legal officer for municipal government, managing all city legislation, litigation, and legal strategy.
Facilitated economic development negotiations resulting in $228 million in cost savings and bringing thousands of new jobs to the region.
Advised the mayor, city council, and department heads on legal strategy, policy development, and high-stakes decisions with long-term community impact.
Education & Credentials
Juris Doctor, University of Memphis School of Law, Tennessee Bar Fellow
Bachelor of Arts, Emory University. Additional studies in Budapest, Hungary
RECOGNITION
National Recognition & Leadership Development
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Presidential Leadership Scholar (Inaugural Class)
highly selective national leadership program bringing together proven leaders from business, government, military, and nonprofit sectors for intensive study of presidential leadership approaches.
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Harvard Young American Leaders Program (Inaugural Cohort)
National program identifying and developing emerging leaders committed to public service and community impact.
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Leadership Tennessee
Year-long intensive program developing leaders across sectors for statewide impact.
Professional Recognition
Top 100 Diversity Officers (national recognition for culture transformation impact)
Tennessee Bar Fellow (recognition of professional excellence and service)
Walter Williams Achievement Award
Diversity Community Champion for Justice Award
Tennessee NAACP 45 Under 45 Award
Gubernatorial Appointments:
Appointed to state boards and commissions across three gubernatorial administrations, providing strategic guidance on economic development, workforce development, and community transformation initiatives.
Current Board Service
Leadership isn't just what Wade consults on—it's what he practices in community and civic engagement.
Active Community Leadership
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United Way of Greater Chattanooga
2024-25 Campaign Chair
Leading annual fundraising campaign supporting health, education, and financial stability initiatives across the region.
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Think Tennessee
Board Member,
Statewide education policy and advocacy organization advancing public education excellence and opportunity.
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Partnership Tennessee
Board Member,
Economic development organization recruiting businesses and jobs to Tennessee.
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Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce
Board Member,
Regional business leadership and economic development organization.
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Tennessee Aquarium.
Board Member,
One of the nation's leading aquariums, driving conservation, education, and tourism impact.
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Southeast Tennessee Development District
Loan Committee Member,
Supporting small business growth and economic development across the region.
Professional Organizations
Active member, Rotary Club of Chattanooga
Member, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
WHY THIS WORK
From Executive Leadership to Strategic Consulting
After 20 years in Fortune 250 companies and government, Wade saw a persistent gap in the consulting market.
Most consultants bring theory and frameworks learned in business school or borrowed from other consultants. Few bring executive experience from actually doing the work—navigating the politics, managing the stakeholders, making the high-stakes calls where you're accountable for results and reputation.
Most understand organizational dynamics from observation and interviews. Few have lived them from the inside—managing through regulatory change, leading culture transformation while maintaining performance, making decisions with incomplete information and real consequences.
Hinton & Company was founded to bring that executive perspective—and the credibility that comes with it—to organizations facing challenges that generic consulting can't solve.
The Focus:
Insurance and financial services firms are navigating regulatory change, technology disruption, and culture transformation.
Government organizations managing complex stakeholder environments and high-stakes change.
Chambers of commerce and community foundations investing in leadership development and regional impact.
Executives navigating transitions, transformation, or high-stakes decisions where peer-level perspective matters.
The Approach:
Strategic partnership, not vendor services. We're not checking boxes or delivering generic frameworks—we're partnering on challenges that matter.
Executive experience, not consultant theory. The advice comes from someone who's held roles like yours, made calls like the ones you're facing.
Results that matter, not satisfaction scores. We measure impact—did the culture change? Did the strategy get traction? Did leaders step into complexity with confidence?
Beyond the Bio
Chattanooga Native Born and raised in Chattanooga. Deeply connected to the region's history, challenges, and opportunities.
Father, Proud father to daughter Genevieve.
Partner Life and work partner: Jana.
DJ Wade Esq. When not consulting or speaking, you might find Wade behind the turntables as DJ Wade Esq—paying tribute to his legal background and Omega Psi Phi fraternity while bringing people together through music.