Ryan Hunt

Ryan Hunt began his career in the parking industry with Premier Parking in July of 2006, a time when Premier managed five properties in downtown Nashville, TN. Over the last eleven years, Premier Parking has grown exponentially, expanding to several major U.S. cities and totaling over 400 parking operations. Ryan has served a vital role in many of the acquisitions and transitions that Premier Parking has completed during his time with the company, proving to be a great asset to the growth and stability of the organization.

Ryan began as an Account Specialist for Premier Parking, responsible for parking operations at two free standing garages and oversight of all monthly parking accounts. In early 2012, Premier was awarded its first ever out of state portfolio, and Ryan took the lead in opening Premier’s first major regional office in Houston, TX. Over the next four years Ryan will relocate three more times to open and establish new markets for Premier Parking. With his aggressive business development efforts and growth centered mindset, Ryan has been the architect in the opening of several of Premier’s numerous regional offices throughout the US. After a successful tenure of establishing and developing new markets for Premier Parking, Ryan moved back home to Nashville to become the first employee to be awarded a partnership by Ryan Chapman, Executive Chairman, the first person to hold the title Chief Operating Officer in 2016, and was named the second CEO of Premier in January 2019.

Ryan Hunt’s knowledge of parking operations spans a wide array of area and industries as his experience includes first-hand knowledge of working with the latest in parking technology. He has also managed both self-park and valet operated medical and commercial office building garages, mixed-use facilities, special event parking, healthcare parking, and surface lots. Ryan has also played a significant role in the expansion of Premier’s technological advancements, and has spearheaded the efforts of Premier’s 24/7 Call Center Premier Live 365 and Premier Parking Data Analytics Powered by Smarking. Ryan’s leadership, innovative management style, and reputation in the parking industry led him to be selected as part of the National Parking Association’s 40 Under 40 2016 class of young professionals and up-and-coming leaders in the parking industry. He was also recognized as one of the 2020 Most Admired CEO’s by the Nashville Business Journal. Today, as CEO, Ryan Hunt is focused on propelling Premier’s growth through strategic, aggressive initiatives and enhancing the culture that makes Premier such a special company.

Born and raised in Nashville, Ryan Hunt graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theological Studies and a minor in Business Administration from Lipscomb University. He is currently residing in Nashville, TN with his wife and their two daughters.

Ryan is a member of the Urban Land Institute, BOMA, National Parking Association, and the Real Estate Council of Austin. In his spare time, Ryan serves an essential role in his church and community ministry, assisting people with problems of substance abuse.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? Michael Jordan. Duh!

What was your first paying job? I was fry cook at Cheeseburger Charlie’s making $7 an hour.

Choice words of wisdom: You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.