Cain, Herman (1945-2020), was an African American businessman and politician. He gained notice for helping to stabilize a failing pizza restaurant chain in the 1980’s and 1990’s. In May 2011, Cain announced his intention to seek the 2012 Republican nomination for president. In December 2011, however, Cain withdrew from the campaign. Reports of an extramarital affair had cost him support in public opinion polls. Cain claimed the reports were untrue.
Cain was born in Memphis on Dec. 13, 1945. His family moved to Atlanta when he was young. In 1967, Cain graduated from Morehouse College with a degree in mathematics. Following graduation, he worked as a civilian employee of the United States Navy. Cain received a master’s degree in computer science from Purdue University in 1971. He then worked as an analyst for the Coca-Cola Company. Later, he worked for the Pillsbury Company, where he would become a vice president. From 1982 to 1986, Cain was a regional vice president for what was then Pillsbury’s Burger King division.
In 1986, Cain became president and chief executive officer of Godfather’s Pizza, a national restaurant chain owned by Pillsbury. Cain helped the chain pull through a period in which it was close to bankruptcy. In 1988, Cain and members of his management team bought Godfather’s from Pillsbury. During the 1990’s, he became head of the National Restaurant Association and sold his share of the pizza chain. Cain also served on the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. He served as the board’s chairman in 1995 and 1996. In 2004, Cain campaigned unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for a U.S. Senate seat in Georgia.
Cain also hosted a radio show in Atlanta and appeared as a business commentator on television. He wrote several books, including Leadership Is Common Sense (1997); Speak As a Leader (1999); They Think You’re Stupid: Why Democrats Lost Your Vote and What Republicans Must Do to Keep It (2005); and This Is Herman Cain! My Journey to the White House (2011). In June 2020, Cain was hospitalized after contracting the COVID-19 virus. Cain died on July 30, 2020.
