Chairman of the Board Sterling Chemicals, Inc. (Retired) (Deceased) – Houston, Texas
The words “caring entrepreneur” seem to fit Gordon A. Cain like a comfortable pair of slippers. He is one of those special individuals that build and define companies by increasing operational efficiencies and encouraging employees improved performance through ownership of the companies and participation in profit-sharing plans. Mr. Cain is currently Chairman of the Board of Sterling Chemicals, Inc. He co-founded The Sterling Group in 1982, a merchant banking firm which specializes, sponsors and invests in leveraged acquisitions primarily in the petro-chemical industry. A native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and a graduate of LSU with a degree in chemical engineering, he spent his early years at Merck & Co. and Freeport Sulphur Company. After combat service in World War II, Mr. Cain returned to the chemical industry helping to organize Petro-Tex Chemicals and managed Conoco’s operations until 1970. Mr. Cain is a member of the American Society of Chemical Engineers, a director of the CATO Institute and the National Center for Policy Analysis. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to our world’s scientific community, Mr. Cain received the Winthrop-Sears Medal for outstanding entrepreneurial endeavors in 1988, and in 1990, the John Fritz Medal for industry leadership. He is also an inductee into the Texas Business Hall of Fame. “Hang loose and don’t sweat the small stuff.”
