Jim Cain of Nashville, Tennessee, is currently serving his 11th year as a member of the Boards of Directors for Shriners International and Shriners Hospitals for Children. Cain was elected Imperial Potentate, part of the 12-member body that helps govern the Shriners fraternity, during the Shriners’ 2018 Imperial Session – held in Daytona Beach, Florida, July 15 – July 19. 

During his years as a member of the Board of Directors, he has served as chairman of the following committees: Salary, Personnel & Retirement; Planning; Clinical and Basic Research; Medical Affairs; Informational Services; Revenue Cycle; Fraternal Strategic Planning; Insurance; Oversight; Special Purpose Funds/Fundraising Evaluation; Time and Place; Emblems, Regailia and Jewels. He has also served on the Public Relations; Corporate Compliance; Budget; Investments; Masonic Relations; DeMolay; Mileage and Per Diem; and Protocol and Resolutions committees. In addition, he has been the Liaison Officer to the Boston, Cincinnati, Shreveport, Springfield and Tampa Boards of Governors for Shriners Hospitals for Children. 

Cain was raised a Master Mason in John B. Garrett Lodge #711 in Nashville, and is a member of the Scottish Rite, York Rite, Quetzalcoatl and Royal Order of Scotland. He has been a member of Al Menah Shriners in Nashville since 1995, and served as Potentate in 2006. 

Cain has held several positions within his temple, including Captain of the Motor Corps, Membership Committee Divan Liaison, and Chairman of both the Ringmasters Club and the Business Owner’s Group. Cain was a member of Al Menah’s Shriners Leadership Team from 2002 to 2006 and assisted in raising more than $5 million for Shriners Hospitals for Children. He was also a charter member of the Tennessee East-West Football Classic Committee. 

Cain served as President of the Tennessee Shrine Association in 2006, is a past Rabban of Hillbilly Clan #151, and a life-member of the Cabiri Association. He is an associate member of Rizpah Shriners in Madisonville, Kentucky, El Hasa Shriners in Ashland, Kentucky, and Jericho Shriners in Kingsport, Tennessee. Cain was awarded the Honorary DeMolay Legion of Honor. 

A former locomotive engineer, Cain worked for CSX Transportation for more than 42 years. He was a Community Affairs and Safety Officer, and a board member of the Tennessee Railroad Association. Cain spent three years as state coordinator of Tennessee Operation Lifesaver Inc., a nationally recognized program that educates the public about dangers at railroad grade crossings and around railroad properties. He also served as chairman of the board for Alabama Operation Lifesaver Inc. and Tennessee Operation Lifesaver Inc. 

Cain and his wife, Patsy, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in August 2017. They have two children, Janice and Jim Jr., and two grandchildren, Oakley and Paxton. Cain attends Forest Hills Baptist Church in Nashville.