Oct. 26, 2011 Press Release: Herman Cain Announces Florida Statewide Chairs, Senior Strategists and Key Campaign Staff

Herman Cain Announces Florida Cain for President Statewide Chairs, Senior Strategists
and Key Campaign Staff

FL - Building on the momentum of recent Florida and national polls showing his candidacy has surged, and his dramatic win at the Republican State Party Convention's straw poll in Orlando last month, Cain for President today announced his Statewide Chairs, Senior Strategists and key campaign staff for his Florida operation. The team brings an extensive and varied network of support and resources to the organization, and will build upon the existing efforts in the state to ensure a strong and successful campaign in Florida.

"Florida is a critical state in the election, and I am humbled by the recent show of support among Florida Republicans at their Convention in Orlando last month. I am incredibly proud to now announce this team of recognized and trusted leaders who believe in my vision for our nation, and are committed to charting a path of victory through Florida," said Herman Cain.

Statewide Chairs, Senior Strategists, and Key Campaign Staff

Florida Statewide Chairs

Carey Baker, Iraq War Veteran, co-owner of A.W. Peterson Gun Shop, member of the FL National Guard, and former Florida Senator, District 20th.

Rick Baker, Director of USF Innovation Project and former Mayor of St. Petersburg, Florida.

Scott Plakon, Founder, President & CEO of Nationwide Publishing Company, Inc., and member of the Florida House Representative, District 37, since 2008.

Kathleen Shanahan, Chairman and CEO of Uretek Florida and former Chief of Staff to Vice President Dick Cheney and Former Governor Jeb Bush.

Senior Strategists

Arlene DiBenigno, Senior Campaign Advisor for Cain for President: Founder and President of Unico Strategies, and prominent political advisor for campaigns including Gov. Rick Scott, Gov. Charlie Crist, and Gov. Jeb Bush, and Presidential campaign of Sen. John McCain.

Adam Goodman, Senior Message Strategist for Cain for President Florida: President of The Victory Group.

Key Campaign Staff

Deborah Cox-Roush -- Director of County Chairs

Barbara Haselden -- Co-Director 912 Patriots

Nancy Hayes -- Volunteer Coordinator

Karen Jaroch -- Co-Director for 912 Patriots

Lou Marin -- Director for Fair Tax/Tea Party Support

Matt McCluskey -- Jacksonville Regional Field Rep

Antori Miranda -- Central Florida Regional Field Rep

Suzanne Moore -- Tampa Regional Field Rep

Kamilah Prince -- Director of Coalitions

"It is essential that we elect a President with a vision and comprehensive proposal to create jobs, grow our economy and rein in out of control government spending. I believe that Herman Cain has the best plan and experience to ensure economic opportunity and success for the American people, and I am proud to serve his campaign as a Florida Chair," said Senator Carey Baker.

"Herman Cain is an experienced business leader with a bold plan to revitalize our economy and put America back on the path to prosperity. His commonsense approach and fresh ideas set him apart from all the other candidates. I am proud to serve as a Chair of his Florida organization, and am committed to growing and strengthening his support in our state," said Mayor Rick Baker.

"Herman Cain is a principled crusader, committed conservative and proven leader who will be formidable opponent to Barack Obama next November. I care deeply about a presidential election that is centered on job creation and reforming the way our government works, and I am proud to help Mr. Cain win this election as a part of his leadership team in Florida," said Kathleen Shanahan.

"The American people need a President we can trust to lead us through this time of economic challenge and uncertainty. Herman Cain is not only a successful and experienced businessman with a clear, simple plan to create job, but a man of incredible family and personal values and integrity by which he will lead our nation. I am proud to support Mr. Cain and be a part of his Florida leadership operation," said Representative Scott Plakon.

Full Biographies of Statewide Chairs:

Senator Carey Baker - Cain for President Florida Statewide Chair: Senator Baker is an Iraq War veteran and co-owner of A.W. Peterson Gun shop, the oldest gun shop in the nation. Mr. Baker is a member of the Florida National Guard since 1981 and currently holds rank of first sergeant. He was also the first elected official to serve in uniform in Iraq, having served as a State Senator from the 20th Senate District between 2004 and 2008 and in the Florida House of Representatives from 2000 to 2004.

Mayor Rick Baker - Cain for President Florida Statewide Chair: Mayor Baker is the director of the USF Innovation Partnership, served as the Mayor of St. Petersburg between 2001 and 2008 and was nationally honored by Governing Magazine as its Mayor - Public Official of the Year in 2008. Prior to being elected mayor, Mr. Baker practiced corporate and business law for nineteen years, and was president of St. Petersburg's oldest law firm, Fisher and Sauls, P.A. He was active in founding and leading many civic, cultural, and charitable organizations. He was spoken and published extensively, and has written a book on the history of St. Petersburg and Florida titled Mangroves to Major League.

Representatives Scott Plakon - Cain for President Florida Statewide Chair: Scott Plakon is the Founder and President & CEO of Nationwide Publishing Company, Inc, and he has served in the Florida House Representative, District 37, since 2008. Rep. Plakon sponsored and was instrumental to passing two constitutional amendments for the 2012 ballot: The Health Care Freedom Act Prohibiting the health care individual mandate, and The Religious Freedom Act. Representative Plakon serves on the Business & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee, Civil Justice Subcommittee, Congressional Redistricting Subcomittee, Rules & Calendar Committee and State Affairs Committee. Among others, he has earned such distinguished awards as the Americans for Prosperity, Legislator of the Year Award 2011, the Christian Coalition of Florida, Faith, and Family Award 2009, 2010, and Florida Chamber of Commerce, Distinguished Advocate Award 2009, 2010, 2011.

Kathleen Shanahan - Cain for President Florida Statewide Chair: Kathleen Shanahan, the Chairman and CEO of Uretek Florida, is a prominent Florida businesswoman with a long and distinguished background in politics and public service. She has held federal and state public policy positions of chief of staff for Florida Governor Jeb Bush, chief of staff to Vice President-elect Dick Cheney, deputy secretary of the California Trade and Commerce Agency, special assistant to then Vice President George Bush, and staff assistant on President Reagan's National Security Council.

Ms. Shanahan currently serves as Chair of Florida's State Board of Education, as board member of the Florida Council of 100, pro bono advisor to the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Eckerd Youth Alternatives Board, the Lincoln Center Institute Board, and Chair of the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Committee.

Adam Goodman - Cain for President Florida Senior Strategist and Media Advisor: Adam Goodman is a national political media consultant and strategist who, as President of The Victory Group, has created, directed, and produced films and commercials for candidates in 44 states. His long list of corporate and political clients including Rudy Giuliani, Congressmen Dan Webster, Attorney General Pam Bondi, CFO Jeff Atwater, Senate President-designate Don Gaetz, Speaker Dean Cannon, Speaker-designate Will Weatherford, the National Football League, the Home Shopping Network, and The Seminole Tribe of Florida. Adam is a frequent commentator and contributor on local, statewide, and national media shows.

Arlene DiBenigo - Cain for President Florida Senior Advisor: Arlene is the founder of Unico Strategies, a consulting firm that provides concise, high-level strategy and advice to corporations, associates, coalitions and high profile C-level executives. For more than 20 years, Arlene has helped influence presidential, gubernatorial, and congressional campaigns. She has served in senior management roles in the campaigns and administrations of President George W. Bush, Florida Governors Jeb Bush, Charlie Crist, Senators John McCain, Phil Gramm and current Florida Governor Rick Scott. In 2008, Arlene served as the Florida State Director and Deputy Southeast Regional Campaign Manager for the John McCain for President Campaign and was a key spokesperson for the Hispanic community at the statewide and nationwide level.

More information about Herman Cain can be found on his website at www.hermancain.com