CEO Today Top 50 – Dan T. Cathy
CEO Top 50
Name: Dan T. Cathy
Net worth: Approx. $6 billion
Company: Chick-Fil-A
Bio: Originally called Dwarf House, Chick-Fil-A was founded in 1946 by Dan T. Cathy’s father, S. Truett Cathy. In the early 1960s, Cathy began doing radio commercials for Dwarf House.
He graduated from Georgia Southern University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1975, after which he joined his father’s company.
He was promoted to President and CEO in 2012 after starting as Director of Operations. Bubba Cathy, his brother, serves as Executive Vice President.
Cathy survived a media storm and public outrage when he appeared to oppose same-sex marriage and was accused of supporting several anti-LGBT causes through Chick-Fil-A. He later expressed regret for involving the company in a political issue and has avoided doing so ever since, despite being the focus of a fake news campaign years later which wrongfully accused him of making racist statements.
Cathy received honorary doctorates from the University of West Georgia, Anderson College, Carver Bible College, and Pepperdine University.
