Samuel A. Hider (1923-2003), seventh executive director of the Atlanta Housing Authority, was born in Guthrie, Oklahoma, to Augustus Hider (1890-?) and Ella Lee Edwards (1900-?). He was one of ten children. Hider's family moved to East St. Louis, Illinois, where he attended East St. Louis High School and organized the first band of which the world renowned trumpeter, Miles Davis, was a member. After graduating from high school, Hider joined the United States Army and served for three years during World War II in Italy and the North African Campaign. He studied arbitration and labor relations at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Illinois. Hider served as Special Representative for the United Mine Workers for twelve years in St. Louis where he met his wife Shirley in 1961. In 1964, Hider transferred to Atlanta. His next two positons included working as personnel director for Cagle Poultry in 1970 and director of the Bureau of Labor Relations in 1974. In 1980, Hider became the executive director of the Atlanta Housing Authority, a position he held until his retirement in 1990. His position as executive director coincided with the Atlanta Child Murders (1979-1981). Hider was active in organizations and held many leadership roles including the Southeastern Regional Council of the National Association of Housing Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), the Georgia Association of Housing and Redevelopment, and the Public Housing Authorities Directors Association.