This is Google's cache of http://www.isgp.eu/organisations/Sun_Valley_meetings_members_list.htm. It is a snapshot of the page as it appeared on 27 Dec 2009 15:05:33 GMT. The current page could have changed in the meantime. Learn more
Text-only version

Sun Valley Meetings Incomplete membership list continually updated
Allen, Herbert A. | The person who set up the Sun Valley meetings in 1983. He is the President and CEO of the New York investment bank Allen & Company, Inc., which specializes in big media deals. Personal fortune is estimated at just below 2 billion dollars.
Allen, Herbert, III | Son of Herb A. Allen. Fresh from Yale in 1989, he worked for mutual fund house T. Rowe Price and London investment firm Botts & Co., before joining the family firm. If he acquits himself well, there's little doubt he can succeed his father. His father owns slightly less than 45% of Allen & Co., and his family owns 35% more. The 14 managing directors and a few other employees own the rest.
Allen, Paul | A recent article about Paul Allen begins, "Microsoft spawned two billionaires. Paul Allen is the other one." Paul Allen is best known as the second founder of Microsoft Corporation, along with his more renowned partner William (Bill) Gates. Allen is also notable for being the second-richest (occasionally third-richest) human on the planet with his estimated fortune of $21 billion, after his partner Bill Gates. Co-founder Vulcan Ventures. Financier of SETI and SpaceShipOne.
Armstrong, C. Michael | Miami University of Ohio 1961, IBM 1962-1991, chairman Hughes Corporation 1992-1997, chairman and CEO AT&T 1997-2002, chairman Comcast Corporation, director Citigroup since 1989, director HCA Inc., director Hospital Corporation of America, director IHS Inc. director Parsons Corporation, member U.S. Advisory Board of Schroder Ventures, member Council on Foreign Relations, member Trilateral Commission, member Alfalfa Club, trustee of The Johns Hopkins University, chairman of Johns Hopkins Medicine since 2005.
Azcarraga, Emilio | Educated at Culver Military Academy, graduated 1948. Married four times, most recently to Paula Cusi; children include: Emilio Azcarraga Jean. Worked in various positions in television; owner of Univision, a twelve-station Spanish language network in the U.S., 1960s and 1970s; controlling shareholder, chairman and CEO of Mexican Broadcaster Grupo Televisa, S.A.; owner of The National sports daily, 1990-91; owner of major Mexican television stations; chairman of Galavision; also involved in publishing, video, and real estate ventures. Died 1999.
Ballmer, Steve | Steve Ballmer is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Microsoft Corporation, the world’s leading software company and one of the largest and most visible corporations in the world. A former dormitory-mate of Bill Gates at Harvard, Ballmer joined a young Microsoft Corporation in 1980. He was promoted to president in 1998 and replaced Gates as the company’s CEO in 2000. Frequently described using adjectives such as blunt, aggressive, and bombastic (as witness his performance in the famous “Monkeyboy” video), Ballmer has served as Microsoft’s “head coach” since long before assuming the top executive post. During increasingly difficult times, Ballmer seeks to sustain Microsoft’s double-digit growth in a maturing and increasingly competitive software market.
Barad, Jill | A graduate of Queens College in New York, she joined Mattel in 1981, became marketing director for the Barbie doll brand in 1982, was named executive vice president in 1986, president of Mattel USA in 1990, a director in 1991, and president and chief operating officer of Mattel Inc. in 1992. She made her mark largely by re-establishing Barbie dolls as America's most enduring toy franchise. A survey in the January Working Woman magazine Barad was the named nation's third-highest compensated woman executive in America. The survey said her total compensation in 1994 was $4.67 million. She was also a director Pixar.
Barton, Peter | In 1982, Barton moved to Denver to join Tele-Communications Inc., the cable TV giant owned by media mogul John Malone. Barton initially negotiated cable franchises for the company that would eventually become the largest U.S. cable operator. In 1986, he became president of TCI's Cable Value Network, which later evolved into the QVC cable TV shopping network. Five years later, Barton became head of Liberty Media, TCI's holding company for cable TV programming assets. Liberty Media was subsequently spun off as a public company, then re-acquired by TCI and spun off again in the AT&T Corp. acquisition of TCI. Barton left Liberty Media in 1997 to head a private investment company. Later, he developed the Privacy Foundation at the University of Denver. The independent watchdog group researches the impact of technology on privacy issues. He died in 2002 of cancer and is to be inducted into the cable industry's Hall of Fame in November. John Malone was a good friend.
Berg, Jeffrey | Chairman International Creative Management, director Oracle Corporation since 1997, director of Leapfrog Enterprises, Inc., co-chair California's Council on Information Technology, president Executive Board of the College of Letters and Sciences at the University of California at Berkeley, trustee Anderson School of Management at the University of California at Los Angeles.
Bezos, Jeffrey P. | Princeton University computer sciences & electrical engineering, vice-president Bankers Trust, founder Amazon.com, billionaire. Thinks Warren Buffett is a genius we should all listen to.
Biondi, Frank J. | Princeton University bachelor of arts. Harvard MBA. Managing director WaterView Advisors LLC (investment advisors). President and CEO Viacom 1987-1996. Chairman and CEO Universal Studios 1996-1998. CEO Paramount Pictures. CEO Home Box Office. Director Harrahs Entertainment, Hasbro, Amgen, Motion Picture Association of America, Cablevision Systems Corporation, and the Bank of New York. He comes to the Sun Valley every year. At his home in Martha's Vineyard he has hosted a bunch of fundraisings for the Clintons. In 2005 Sir Evelyn de Rothschild and Lynn Forester de Rothschild were among his guests.
Bloomberg, Michael | Johns Hopkins University, Harvard MBA, became partner Salomon Brothers of New York in 1972. Michael Bloomberg is the founder and controlling owner of Bloomberg, L.P., a diversified media enterprise and one of the most successful information industry startups of its kind. The company’s operations are centered on the provision of financial and business information – including a massive stream of raw data plus various analytical tools – to mostly large institutional clients such as banks, brokerage houses, government agencies, and traditional media companies. As a result of Bloomberg L.P.’s success, Michael Bloomberg is one of the richest people in the world, with a fortune valued at close to $5 billion. In January 2002, Bloomberg assumed office as the 108th Mayor of the City of New York. Also chairman of the Board Trustees of Johns Hopkins University. In 1997, Michael Bloomberg published his autobiography, Bloomberg by Bloomberg. All of the royalties from sales of the book are donated to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Bloomberg has an estimated fortune of $5 billion dollars. Trustee of the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies.
Bradley, Bill | One of the first pro-athlete-turned-politicians, Bradley was also one of the few with bona fide intellectual credentials. A three-time All-American at Princeton, Bradley delayed his professional basketball career to spend two years at Oxford University on a Rhodes scholarship . Upon his return he joined the New York Knicks and played on their 1970 and 1973 championship teams. In 1978 he was elected to the U.S. Senate and served three terms. In January 1999 he announced his intention to run for president, aiming for the nomination from the Democratic Party. He was defeated in the 2000 primary elections by then Vice President Al Gore. Bill is a friend of Herb. In 2005 he introduced Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan to the members of the Sun Valley.
Brin, Sergey | Born in Russia, Brin studied computer science and mathematics before co-founding Google with Larry Page. Brin is the President of Technology at Google and has a net worth estimated at seven billion U.S. dollars.
Brokaw, Tom | Born in Webster, South Dakota, U.S., 6 February 1940. Educated at University of South Dakota, B.A. in political science 1962. Began career as newscaster, weatherman, and staff announcer at KTIV in Sioux City, Iowa, 1960-62; morning news editor for KMTV in Omaha, Nebraska, 1962-65; editor for 11:00 news for WSB-TV in Atlanta, Georgia, 1965-66; joined NBC news as anchorman, KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, California, 1966; with NBC since 1966. Honorary degrees: University of South Dakota; Washington University; Syracuse University; Hofstra University; Boston College; Emerson College; Simpson College; Duke University, 1991; Notre Dame University, 1993. Recipient: Alfred I. DuPont Award, 1987; George Foster Peabody Award, 1988. Member of the CFR. Invited in 2005 as a member of the panel on terrorism. Former CIA chief George Tenet and New York Times / Foreign Affairs columnist Thomas Friedman (CFR) were the other members of the panel. The panel was established, because at the start of the conference there were terrorrist attacks in London.
Bronfman, Edgar, Jr. | Billionaire Edgar Bronfman Jr. inherited the helm of the Seagram Company Ltd. in 1994. His grandfather Sam Bronfman built the beverage powerhouse, but the grandson has expanded it into telecommunications by buying a piece of Time Warner and pursuing a personal movie bug: The former teenage amateur filmmaker grew up to buy 80 percent of MCA/Universal Studios in 1995. Edgar Bronfman, Jr. is the third-generation heir of one of North America’s great business dynasties. In less than a decade, he transformed the Seagram wine and liquor business into one of the world’s largest media and entertainment conglomerates. Unable to keep pace with the late 1990s consolidation of media giants such as Disney and Time Warner, Bronfman in 2000 sold the family business to Vivendi S.A. in what turned out to be one of the most disastrous media deals in recent memory. Bronfman re-entered the media/music business in December 2003 with the acquisition of Time Warner’s Music Group. President of the World Jewish Congress. His uncle, Charles R. Bronfman, became a member of the Canadian Privy Council in 1992.
Brown, J. Gordon | Gordon Brown was appointed as Chancellor of the Exchequer on 2 May 1997 (the UK cabinet minister responsible for all financial matters. Works closely with the Bank of England). He has been MP for Dunfermline East since 1983 and was Opposition spokesperson on Treasury and Economic Affairs (Shadow Chancellor) from 1992. From 1976 to 1980, Mr Brown lectured at Edinburgh University and then Caledonian University before taking up a post at Scottish TV (1980 - 1983). After becoming an MP, Mr Brown was the Chair of the Labour Party Scottish Council (1983 - 1984). Before becoming Shadow Chancellor he held two other senior posts on the Opposition front bench - Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury (1987 - 1989) and Shadow Trade and Industry Secretary (1989 -1992). Brown is the number 2 in the Labour party, behind Blair, and has been to Bilderberg in 1991. Also a member of the Queen's Privy Council, member of DAVOS, and chairman of the IMF's International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMF's key decision-making committee). He went at least once to the Sun Valley in 1998. Member of the extremely aristocratic Other Club, over the years together with the Duke of Devonshire (Cavendish), the 7th Marquess of Salisbury (Le Cercle), Lord Carrington (Pilgrims Society president), Lord Richardson of Duntisbourne (major Pilgrims Society member), Lord Jacob Rothschild, Lord Rees-Mogg (media disinformation agent with Richard Mellon Scaife through Strategic Investments and Newsmax), Prince Charles, Lord Julian Amery (former head Le Cercle), Lord Kelvedon (Le Cercle), Tony Blair, Sir Edward Heath, Sir Denis Thatcher (husband of), and Winston S. Churchill (grandson of). Lord Rothschild organised a fund-raising in June of 2001 at 11 Downing Street, official home of the Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown, to which 130 guests attended. On taking office as Chancellor, Brown sprung a surprise by giving the Bank of England operational independence (from the British government) in the conduct of monetary policy, and thus responsibiltiy for setting interest rates. Martin Ivens, deputy editor of the Sunday Times: "Mr Brown dominates this government like no other post-war chancellor. The chancellor tells other ministers how to spend their budgets and even dictates, or 'challenges' as the Treasury mandarins delicately put it, their policies. The puritanical pundits cheer Mr Brown as a serious man doing a serious job, while next door at No 10 the incumbent holds parties for pop stars and millionaires."
Buffett, Warren | Studied at Wharton School of Finance 1947-1949, University of Nebraska 1950, Columbia University M.S., 1951. After working as an investment salesman and securities analyst, he was partner (1956-1969) in the investment firm Buffett Partnership, Ltd. In 1965, he acquired the textile manufacturer Berkshire Hathaway and became (1970) chairman and CEO. Through judicious investments and acquisitions of insurance companies and manufacturing and service firms, Buffett has transformed Berkshire Hathaway into a large conglomerate; in 1999, its assets were $124 billion. His investments have also made him one of the wealthiest people in the world. He has co-authored Warren Buffett Speaks (with J. C. Lowe, 1997) and Thoughts of Chairman Buffett (with S. Reynolds, 1998). His father, Howard Homan Buffett,. 1903-1964, an investment banker, was a U.S. congressman from Nebraska (1943-1949, 1951-1953). Warren Buffett is, just as Rupert Murdoch, acquainted with the Rothschild family and has been invited to Waddesdon Manor mansion in England. Member of the Alfalfa Club.
Case, Stephen M. | Steve Case was the founder, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and chairman of America Online Corporation (AOL), and then chairman of the world’s largest media company, AOL Time Warner. Case was forced out of a faltering AOL Time Warner in January 2003. As a result of the meteoric success of AOL followed by the rapid decline of AOL Time Warner, Case’s reputation and personal market value have vacillated more drastically than the NASDAQ. Member of the Alfalfa Club.
Chernin, Peter | Peter Chernin is a former book editor who worked his way up Hollywood's power chain as a TV producer for Showtime and eventually head of the Fox (FOX ) Broadcasting Co. And he can finesse things at News Corp. for his high-powered boss, Rupert Murdoch, like nobody's business. Chernin, 52, oversees film and TV production of such blockbuster hits as X-2: X-Men United and runs Fox's fast-growing FX and other entertainment channels. Those properties helped propel the company to double-digit increases in revenues and earnings in '03. He has a far more pleasant character than Rupert Murdoch according to many.
Cox, Anne | One of the Cox sisters. Cox Enterprises is the successor to the publishing company founded at Dayton, Ohio, by James Middleton Cox, who began with the Dayton Daily News. The company is private, 98% controlled by the octogenarian daughters of Cox, Barbara Cox Anthony and Anne Cox Chambers, two of the richest women in America, worth $10.3 billion each according to Forbes Magazine. The CEO is Anthony's son, James C. Kennedy. The company, now headquarted in Atlanta, Georgia, continues to publish the Daily News as well as the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and fifteen other daily newspapers. It also publishes 30 non-daily papers, including The Western Star, Ohio's oldest weekly newspaper. The company owns 15 television stations including WHIO-TV, the Dayton affiliate of CBS, 81 radio stations, and a large cable television enterprise.
Cox, Barbara | One of the Cox sisters. Control the private Cox Enterprises (Cox Communications, Manheim, Cox Newspapers, Cox Television, Cox Radio and AutoTrader.com). See the bio of Anne Cox.
Crawford, Gordon | Chief media stock picker for the L.A.-based investment firm Capital Research & Management. Gordon Crawford's actions are closely watched on Wall Street. Considered as one of "the media world's savviest investors," Crawford is known for long-term investments and it is eerie how prophetic his predictions have been to this point. In early 2001, Crawford liquidated Capital's Disney shares completely, prompting other investors to lessen their holdings, destabilizing Disney's already rocky position and spelling Eisner's doom. In late 2002, Crawford met with Time Warner Chairman Stephen Case and gave him a simple and clear recommendation: Resign. Now it appears Crawford has set his sights on Viacom's Sumner Redstone.
Daft, Douglas | As chairman of the board and CEO of Coca-Cola, Daft drives the train that delivers 50% of the world’s non-alcoholic beverages, including the #1 Coke, #3 Diet Coke, Minute Maid, PowerAde, Sprite, Barq’s Dr. Pepper, Danone, Sparkletts, Evian, and even the healthfood favorite Odwalla. Daft, who took his current position in February 2000, last year earned a salary of $1.5 million, plus a $4.5 million bonus. He also owns 3.5 million Coke shares (valued today at $175 million). He also sits on the boards of SunTrust Banks, McGraw-Hill Companies, The Center for Strategic & International Studies (A Stanford University Think Tank), the Trilateral Commission, The Business Council, The Business Roundtable, Catalyst, Grocery Manufacturers of America, and the British-American Chamber of Commerce. Coca Cola has been accused of contracting paramilitary death squads to torture, kidnap, and murder union leaders in Central and South-America. The Campaign to Stop Killer Coke and Corporate Campaign Inc. has erected to draw attention to these allegations.
Dean, Bob | Managing director and vice-president of the risk-arbitrage department at Allen & Co.
Dell, Michael | Michael Dell is the founder, chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Austin, Texas-based Dell Computer Corporation. Known for its revolutionary made-to-order, zero-inventory business model, Dell Computer is the world’s leading computer systems company.
Diller, Barry | Barry Diller is an American media executive and entrepreneur; known among other things for his early programming innovations with ABC Television; the creation of a fourth television network at Fox Broadcasting; the onetime chairmanship of Paramount Pictures and the QVC Network; the founding of USA Networks; and the assumption of a lucrative position as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vivendi Universal Entertainment (VUE). With VUE’s parent, Vivendi Universal, in a financial and legal crisis, Diller became a major player in the game to take over the company’s entertainment assets. Ultimately, Diller lost out to bigger media such as NBC for the Vivendi assets and went back to nurturing and strategizing his acquisitions such as Expedia and LendingTree.com. Called Edgar Bronfman a “third-generation bimbo”. Also said: "Deals just don't get done in Hollywood unless they [Allen & Co.] are involved."
Eisner, Michael | Michael Eisner took over the top post at the Walt Disney Company in 1984. An imposing leader at 6 feet, 4 inches tall, he transformed Disney from a fading minor player worth about $2 billion into a $28 billion a year multimedia conglomerate within a decade. During the 1990s, Eisner established Disney as the third largest corporation of its kind without sacrificing the company’s place as the premier family entertainment studio of the twentieth century. Eisner fought a running battle with disgruntled shareholders during the early 2000 decade as the Disney share price slumped, the firm was beset with continung problems with EuroDisney, and Eisner was openly criticized for both his judgement and management style by prominent shareholders such as Roy Disney. In early September 2004, Eisner surprised the entertainment community by announcing his intention to resign in 2006. Director of the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation, together with four former U.S. presidents, Maurice R. Greenberg, Henry R. Kravis (Bohemian Grove), David Rockefeller, Jerry I. Speyer (big Rockefeller guy), John C. Whitehead (photographed standing behind Lord Rothschild and Kissinger; likely Pilgrim), Anne M. Tatlock (gone from her WTC on the morning on 9/11), Sir John Bond (HSBC; Multinaltional Chairman's Group), Richard D. Parsons (Sun Valley Meetings), and Peter G. Peterson(chair Blackstone Group; chair NY Fed; chair CFR).
Erdogan, Recep Tayyip | Turkish Prime Minister who gave a speech about Islam in 2005. He answered questions about Islam, democracy, and globalization. Rhodes Scholar Bill Bradley introduced him.
Ergen, Charles | Head of country's second-biggest satellite provider, EchoStar, now in midst of buying the biggest one, DirecTV, from General Motors in $26 billion deal. Former Frito-Lay financial analyst started delivering to large-dish rural residents in 1980. Now, through Dish Network, provides more than 500 channels to over 5 million customers. He has a personal fortune of almost 7 billion dollars.
Esrey, William T. | William Esrey began his career in telecommunications in 1964 with AT&T. Even though his goal at that time was to become president of that company, he left the corporation in 1970 after becoming the youngest officer in its history. He then joined the investment banking firm of Dillon, Read and Company in New York City, where he became the managing director. In 1980, William came to United Telecommunications as the executive vice president of corporate planning. In 1982, he became president of United Telecom Communications Inc., later named US Telecom. In 1985, William Esrey was made president and CEO of United Telecommunications. Additional responsibilities as president and CEO of Sprint were taken on by William in 1988. In 1990, he has become chairman of Sprint and United Telecom (Sprint is the third largest long-distance telecommunications firm). Also a director of The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States, Panhandle Eastern Corp., and General Mills. Member Trilateral Commission.
Fisher, George | CEO of Motorola Inc., chairman of Kodak.
Friedman, Thomas L. | New York Times and Foreign Affairs columnist who was invited in 2005 as a member of the panel on terrorism. Former CIA chief George Tenet and NBC anchor Tom Brokaw (CFR) were the other members of the panel. The panel was established, because at the start of the conference there were terrorrist attacks in London. Friedman is a neoliberal globalist who ridicules people who are against this concept.
Freeman, Morgan | In 2005, he announced his new company called Clickstar Inc. In 1996, actor Morgan Freeman created Revelations Entertainment.
Furstenberg, Diane von | Great-grandchild of Lady Mary Victoria Hamilton, the Scotch–German wife of Prince Albert I of Monaco, though by Lady Mary's second marriage. The Belgian-born von Furstenberg had made her mark on the New York fashion world in 1972 with her versatile dress, which was appropriate for the office yet sexy enough for a night at Studio 54. During the next few years, she sold five million of them. Then the market became saturated, sales dried up, and she sold most of her licenses to avoid bankruptcy. "I lost control," she says. She retreated to Europe. In 1992, the designer embarked on a comeback. She started Silk Assets, one of the first clothing lines for QVC. "It was tacky, but it gave me confidence," she says. Then she founded Diane von Furstenberg Studio to design moderately priced apparel sold at upscale department stores. The latest wrap dress, for example, retails for $298. The line has been a hit with consumers and critics alike, and the business turned its first profit in 2003. For von Furstenberg, 58, whose fall 2005 collection features a Russian theme, success has been sweeter this time.
Gabelli, Mario J. | Mario J. Gabelli is the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer-Value Portfolios of Gabelli Asset Management Inc., a widely recognized provider of investment advice and brokerage services to mutual funds, institutional and high net worth investors. Gabelli Asset Management Inc. is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GBL. Mr. Gabelli founded the firm in 1977 as a broker-dealer. It has since grown into the diversified financial services corporation it is today. Mr. Gabelli is a summa cum laude graduate of Fordham University and holds an MBA degree from Columbia University Graduate School of Business, and an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Roger Williams University in Rhode Island. He is a leading proponent of the Graham & Dodd school of security analysis. He is a pioneer in applying Graham & Dodd's principles to the analysis of domestic, cash generating, franchise companies in a wide range of industries. His proprietary Private Market Value methodology is now an analytical standard in the value investing community. Mr. Gabelli is a Chartered Financial Analyst, a member and former officer of the New York Society of Security Analysts, the New York Society of Auto Analysts and the Entertainment Analysts Group of New York. He is a trustee of Fordham Preparatory School, Fairfield University, Roger Williams University, Winston Churchill Foundation of the United States, and a institutes. Gabelli is a major shareholder of Cablevision.
Gates, William "Bill" | William (Bill) Henry Gates III is the co-founder, chairman, and chief software architect of Microsoft Corporation, the world’s No. 1 software company. Since becoming the world’s richest person, Gates has been at once one of the most admired individuals in the U.S. and one of the most resented, envied, and vilified. A fiercely competitive monopolist and corporate strategist who has successfully thwarted competitors and trust-busters, Gates is also a charismatic leader generally liked and respected by employees and colleagues. During the 2000 decade, Gates has also become the most generous, and perhaps the most effective, philanthropist in history. He is a Knight of the British Empire. In the 2001 meeting he shocked some participants when he said: "I'm going to destroy three companies: Sun Microsystems, Oracle, and Netscape." Many thought it was a bit immature to use the word 'destroy', since competition is something natural. In general, he seems to have some trouble containing his emotions.
Geffen, David | From the mail room of the William Morris Agency, David Geffen clawed, connived, schmoozed, and just plain worked his way to the top of Hollywood’s entertainment industry. After promoting the careers of 1970s musical stars such as Jackson Browne, the Eagles, Joni Mitchell, and Linda Ronstadt; Geffen moved on to found or cofound Asylum Records, Geffen Records, the Geffen Film Company and DreamWorks SKG. On his way to becoming Hollywood’s first self-made billionaire, Geffen funded two hit Broadway plays, produced five movies, announced an engagement to musician-actress Cher (she called it off), came out publicly as a gay man, and supported the presidential candidacy of William Jefferson Clinton.
Goizueta, Roberto C. | Yale chemical engineering, Cuban refugee who became chairman and CEO of Coca-Cola Company, strengthening company's global dominance in field. Died in 1997 of lung cancer after having received chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
Gould, Paul A. | Managing director Allen & Company, executive trustee New School, chairman Cornell University's Office of Investment Management, chairman Information Technology Advisory Board of the New School. Nancy B. Peretsman and Philip Scaturro of Allen & Company are also involved in the school. Gould is a director of Liberty Media Corporation, Ampco-Pittsburgh Corporation, and UnitedGlobalCom.
Graham, Donald | Chief executive officer and chairman of the board of The Washington Post Company. He is also chairman of The Washington Post newspaper. Graham retired in September 2000. He is the son of previous Post publishers Katharine Graham and Phillip Graham.
Grove, Andrew S. | Andrew S. (Andy) Grove is the Chairman of the Board of Intel Corporation, as well as a former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who participated in the founding of the company. Under Grove's tenure as Intel's CEO, the company grew from the world's tenth-largest manufacturer of semiconductors to the industry's dominant firm, and one of the most important companies on the planet.
Hefner, Christie | Christie Hefner is the chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Playboy Enterprises and the daughter of the company’s founder, Hugh M. Hefner. Playboy Enterprises is a diversified publishing, entertainment, and media firm anchored by the iconic Playboy magazine, a half-century old periodical featuring articles, interviews, fiction, and nude photographs of well-endowed young women. A self-professed feminist, Christie Hefner has consciously diverged from the libertine excesses associated with her father’s lifestyle. Described as “slim, attractive, lively, serious, efficient, and firm,” she runs Playboy’s corporate show, while her father attends to the editing of Playboy magazine.
Hendricks, John S. | John S. Hendricks is the founder and chairman of Discovery Communications, Inc. the leading global real-world media and entertainment company. Hendricks created the Discovery Channel in 1982 as the first cable network in the United States designed to provide high quality documentary programming enabling people to explore their world and satisfy their natural curiosity. Mr. Hendricks has been the driving force behind DCI’s dramatic growth including the expansion of DCI from its core property, the Discovery Channel, to current global operations in 160 countries with over one billion total subscribers. Under Mr. Hendricks’ leadership, DCI’s stable of networks now encompass over 60 networks of distinctive programming representing 21 entertainment brands including TLC, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, Discovery Health Channel, Discovery Kids, and Discovery Times Channel. DCI’s other properties consist of Discovery.com and 120 Discovery Channel retail stores. Mr. Hendricks serves on the Board of Directors of a number of non-profit organizations including the American Film Institute, The Colorado Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, and the National Cable and Telecommunications Association. Mr. Hendricks also serves on the Advisory Board of Lowell Observatory.
Horn, Alan B. | Executive vice president American Home Mortgage Investment Corp., chairman Greenberg Traurig LLP of New York.
Huizenga, Wayne | Successful Florida Entrepreneur with Waste Management Inc. In 1983, Huizenga retired from WMI with stock and options valued at $23 million. Shortly thereafter, he began purchasing a series of service companies in South Florida, including laundry, bottled water, lawn care, pest control and portable toilet businesses, under the umbrella of Huizenga Holdings. He continued to grow these businesses, but always looked for the next big thing. A friend brought Huizenga to a local Blockbuster video franchise, with the hopes that he would get involved. Once Huizenga saw the business plan, he knew it was a good prospect. He bought control of the entire company, subsequently becoming chairman and CEO, and began to reacquire franchises in key markets in an effort to take the company nationwide as quickly as possible. Blockbuster went public in 1989 and, over a six-year span, opened a new store every 17 hours. By 1994, Huizenga had acquired 100 video and music chains, as well as production and distribution companies. Entertainment Weekly named Huizenga one of the 10 most powerful people in the entertainment industry. When Viacom acquired Blockbuster in 1994, Huizenga had successfully and systematically grown the company from a $7 million business with 19 stores to a $4 billion enterprise with more than 3,700 stores in 11 countries. After the sale of Blockbuster, Huizenga refocused his activities on Huizenga Holdings, acquiring Republic Waste Industries, which he grew to be the third-largest company of its kind in the U.S. At the same time, Huizenga planned and launched AutoNation, the first nationwide auto dealer in the U.S. Huizenga developed a one-price strategy, hired exceptional management, and grew AutoNation to be the largest auto dealership in the country – now with 370 dealerships – and the first to go public. Next, Huizenga formed the company Extended Stay America with an associate. In its first year, the company surpassed its goal of 50 locations by 12. By the time Extended Stay America was sold in 2004, it had nearly 500 hotels in 42 states. Huizenga has also led several sports franchises in Florida. He led the charge in Southern Florida to obtain a Major League Baseball team, and in its fifth year, the Florida Marlins won the World Series. Huizenga was also entrusted with the Florida Panthers, a National Hockey League expansion team, which reached the Stanley Cup Finals in its third season. Currently, Huizenga’s only sports holding is the Miami Dolphins, but at one time he was the first person to own three major-league sports franchises at once. Today he is a Billionaire. Met Viacom's Redstone at Sun Valley in the early 1990s, a relationship that culminated in Viacom buying Blockbuster in 1994 for US$7.7 billion.
Idei, Nobuyuki | Nobuyuki Idei was named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sony Corporation, in June 2000. The Chief Executive Officer title was renamed as Group Chief Executive Officer, Sony Corporation, in April 2003. He had served as President and Chief Executive Officer since June 1999. He was named President and Representative Director, Sony Corporation, in April 1995. Mr. Idei has played a key role in moving Sony into the digital age and in developing and enhancing Sony’s renowned design and brand image throughout his career. He oversaw the areas of Corporate Communications and Advertising as a Director and then Managing Director of Sony Corporation from 1989-1995. During that time he also served as Senior General Manager of the Creative Communication Division (1994), Products Communication Group (1993), Merchandising and Product Communication Strategy Group (1991), and Advertising and Marketing Communication Strategy Group (1990). With his strong background in international marketing, Mr. Idei has contributed significantly to Sony’s reputation as one of the worldwide leaders in the consumer audio/ video industry as Deputy Senior General Manager, Video Group (1986) and Senior General Manager, Home Video Group (1988). He has been instrumental in Sony’s involvement in the computer business and was a key figure in the establishment of Sony’s compact disc market, and the strengthening of Sony’s consumer VCR business. Internationally he was active in the establishment of Sony’s European market presence, particularly through the opening of Sony France in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. Mr. Idei joined Sony in 1960 after graduating from Waseda University, Faculty of Politics and Economics. He also attended L’Institute des Hautes Etudes Internationales in Geneva, Switzerland (from 1962 to 1963). His family includes his wife, Teruyo, and a daughter, Mari. He is fluent in English and French, and his interests include golf and movies. Mr. Idei was also elected onto the board of General Motors in November 1999 and Nestlé S.A. in April 2001. He served as Chairman of the IT Strategy Council, an advisory committee to Japan’s Prime Minister from July to November 2000.
Iger, Robert A. | Robert A. Iger, president and chief operating officer and CEO-elect of The Walt Disney Company, has held his current position since January, 2000. At that time, he also became a member of Disney's board of directors and of its executive management committee. He will officially become chief executive officer on October 1, 2005. Iger had been chairman of the Disney-owned ABC Group, where he guided the complex merger of ABC with The Walt Disney Company. Simultaneously, he was president of Walt Disney International, where he created an organization embracing Europe, the Asia-Pacific Region and Latin America. His mission for Walt Disney International was to establish Disney's brand on a worldwide basis and consolidate international operations under a coordinated leadership. As Disney's president and chief operating officer, Iger works with Michael D. Eisner, chairman and chief executive officer, in overseeing all aspects of The Walt Disney Company's operations on a worldwide basis. The heads of all of Disney's business units and its chief strategic officer report to both Eisner and Iger. Iger first became part of Disney's management team in 1996, when The Walt Disney Company acquired Capital Cities/ABC, where Iger had been president and chief operating officer. During Iger's years with ABC, he obtained hands-on experience in virtually every aspect of the television network business, including news, sports and entertainment, as well as the business side of television such as program acquisition, rights negotiations and business affairs. ABC saw tremendous growth during Iger's career there, becoming a market leader in network television and expanding into numerous cable and related ventures, including A&E, The History Channel, Lifetime, ESPN and ESPN-related businesses. He began his career at ABC in 1974 as a studio supervisor in New York, then moved to ABC Sports, where he advanced over a 12-year period through a series of increasingly responsible management posts. He became vice president of programming, responsible for all scheduling and program acquisitions for ABC Sports in 1987. He left ABC Sports in 1988 for a promotion to executive vice president of the ABC Television Network and became president of ABC Entertainment in Los Angeles a year later. Iger was promoted to president to the ABC Television Network Group in New York in 1993 and was named president and chief operating officer of ABC in 1994. He is a member of the board of directors of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. and New York City Outward Bound. He is a trustee of the American Film Institute Board, of the Museum of Television and Radio and of Ithaca College, where he graduated magna cum laude.
Jobs, Steven P. | Steven Paul Jobs is the charismatic and temperamental co-founder of Apple Computer. Perhaps the pre-eminent pioneer of personal computing, Jobs was compelled to leave Apple in 1985. Jobs founded NeXT Computer in 1985, purchased a majority share of the 3-D animation company Pixar Corporation in 1986, and returned to the helm of Apple in 1997. Has has also been a director, chairman and CEO of Pixar Animation Studios. Always a controversial figure, Jobs has been among the most publicized, loved, and hated of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs. He has been credited and blamed for a generation of successes and failures in the computer industry.
Johnson, Robert L. | Robert Johnson is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the cable television network Black Entertainment Television (BET) and, as a result of that successful venture, the richest African American in the United States. In 2000 BET became a property of Viacom Incorporated. In December 2002 Johnson became the first African American to own a major league sports franchise in the United States when he was awarded a National Basketball Association franchise in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Jordan, Vernon E., Jr. | Born on August 15, 1935. Graduate of DePauw University and the Howard University Law School. Senior Managing Director of Lazard Frères & Co. LLC in New York. He works with a diverse group of clients across a broad range of industries. Prior to joining Lazard, Mr. Jordan was a senior executive partner with the law firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, L.L.P., where he remains Of Counsel. While there Mr. Jordan practiced general, corporate, legislative and international law in Washington, D.C. Before Akin Gump, Mr. Jordan held the following positions: President and CEO of the National Urban League, Inc.; Executive Director of the United Negro College Fund, Inc.; Director of the Voter Education Project of the Southern Regional Council; Attorney-Consultant, U.S. Office of Economic Opportunity; Assistant to the Executive Director of the Southern Regional Council; Georgia Field Director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and an attorney in private practice in Arkansas and Georgia. Mr. Jordan's presidential appointments include: the President's Advisory Committee for the Points of Light Initiative Foundation; the Secretary of State's Advisory Committee on South Africa; the Advisory Council on Social Security; the Presidential Clemency Board; the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission; the National Advisory Committee on Selective Service; and the Council of the White House Conference "To Fulfill These Rights." In 1992, Mr. Jordan served as the Chairman of the Clinton Presidential Transition Team. Mr. Jordan's corporate and other directorships include: America Online Latin America, Inc.; American Express Company; Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.; Callaway Golf Company; Clear Channel Communications, Inc.; Dow Jones & Company, Inc.; Howard University (Trustee); J.C. Penney Company, Inc.; Revlon, Inc.; Sara Lee Corporation; Shinsei Bank, Ltd. (Senior Advisor); Xerox Corporation; International Advisory Board of DaimlerChrysler; Fuji Bank and Barrick Gold. He holds honorary degrees from more than 50 colleges and universities in America. He is a member of the Bars of Arkansas, the District of Columbia, Georgia and the U.S. Supreme Court. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the National Bar Association and the Bilderberg Meetings. Member of the Trilateral Commission. Mr. Jordan is Co-Chair of the Ad Council's Advisory Committee on Public Issues and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. In the late 1990s Jordan sat on the initial board of FirstMark Communications, together with Lynn Forester de Rothschild (founder), Evelyn de Rothschild, Henry Kissinger, Michael J. Price (former managing director Lazard), and Nathan Myhrvold (former CEO Microsoft). Close friend and adviser of President Clinton. The Clintons spend Christmas Eve with the Jordans and often visit them at their holiday home in the island resort of Martha's Vineyard. In August 2004 the Clintons were present at a Martha's Vineyard party where Vernon Jordan and Sir Evelyn de Rothschild celebrated their birthdays together. Jordan was accused of aiding in a cover-up of the President Clinton's affair with Monica Lewinsky. Ultimately, the allegations that Jordan asked Lewinsky to lie to investigators and arranged a job for her in New York in exchange for her silence were not addressed in the report that Ken Starr delivered to Congress. According to the BBC: Vernon Jordan is the ultimate Washington insider. He has been called a "go-between", a "fixer-without-portfolio", a "freelance hired gun".
Karmazin, Mel | Mel Karmazin was president and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Viacom beginning with the merger of Viacom and the CBS Corporation in May 2000 and lasting until June 1, 2004, when he resigned. At the time of his resignation, Karmazin did not mention other career plans. During his earlier career, Karmazin ran Infinity Broadcasting – a major radio station group – and served as president and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CBS. As president and COO of Viacom, Karmazin presides over one of the world’s largest media empires, which includes among other assets CBS, MTV, UPN, Paramount Entertainment, and Simon & Schuster. Before his abrupt resignation, Karmazin was widely considered to be the heir apparent to Viacom’s chairmanship, currently occupied by the company’s founder Sumner Redstone, with whom Karmazin historically enjoyed a difficult relationship. Karmazin was replaced immediately by Redstone with two Viacom executives, Tom Freston, chief executive of Viacom's MTV Networks subsidiary, and Leslie Moonves, chief executive of CBS, also a subsidiary. On November 19, 2004, Sirius Satellite Radio announced that Mel Karmazin would become its chief executive officer. The announcement came as somewhat of a surprise since Karmazin had been quoted a few months earlier as being doubtful about satellite radio's prospects.
Katzenberg, Jeffrey | Jeffrey Katzenberg rose through the ranks at Paramount Pictures before assuming the chairmanship of Walt Disney Studios. During a notable 10-year run, he teamed with Walt Disney Company chairman Michael Eisner to put Disney – and feature-length animation – back on the map. When Katzenberg’s relationship with Eisner went sour, Katzenberg earned the nickname “the Katz that bit the mouse” by successfully suing Disney in 1994; extracting a massive severance package. He then teamed with industry heavyweights Steven Spielberg and David Geffen to form DreamWorks SKG, the first new Hollywood studio to be created since the 1930s. The only non-billionaire among DreamWorks’ founders, Katzenberg is considered to be the studio’s primary creative force.
Kennard, Bill | Stanford University and Yale Law School, partner in the Washington law firm of Verner, Liipfert, Bernhard, McPherson & Hand, chairman Federal Communications Commission (FCC), managing director of The Carlyle Group and a director of The New York Times Company.
Keough, Donald R. | Director, president & CEO Coca-Cola, chairman Allen & Co., director H.J. Heinz Company, The Washington Post Company, USA Networks Inc. and McDonald's Corporation, chairman Excalibur Technologies, Trilateral Commission. The Keough Institute for Irish Studies and the Keough-Notre Dame Centre in Dublin are both named in his honor. Chairman of the Notre Dame University Board of Trustees. (Ireland)
Kerkorian, Kirk | Kirk Kerkorian is one of two dominant owners of Las Vegas hotels and casinos (along with Steve Wynn) and the controlling shareholder of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Incorporated (MGM), operator of the legendary MGM Hollywood studios. Once acknowledged as the greatest studio in the history of Hollywood, MGM was radically downsized following acquisition by Kerkorian in 1970. A quiet and unassuming man, Kerkorian had been adulated by the business community as a self-made billionaire who adapted MGM to the competitive climate of the late 20th century. At the same time, critics have reviled him as a takeover artist and the destroyer of one of Hollywood’s most venerable entertainment institutions.
Knight, Philip | Founder, chairman and CEO of Nike Inc. Owns two private jets and is a billionaire.
Kreisky, Peter | Former CBS strategic planner. Now Chairman of Kreisky Media Consultancy (Boston).
Laybourne, Geraldine B. | Geraldine Laybourne became one of the most influential women in television during her hugely successful tenure with children’s cable TV network Nickelodeon, which she transformed during the 1980s and 1990s from a noncommercial startup into one of the most important and lucrative television brands. Following her appointment as vice-chairman of Viacom’s MTV Networks and a brief tenure as vice-president of Disney/ABC Television, Laybourne launched Oxygen Media in 2000 with an all-star group of partners and a design to transform women’s television as she had done with children’s television. The network struggled during its first years, in part because Oxygen’s founders made a mistake Laybourne had avoided at Nickelodeon, treating their clients like children.
Leavitt, Michael | Michael O. Leavitt was sworn in as the 20th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on January 26, 2005. Prior to his current service, Leavitt served as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Governor of Utah. The people of Utah elected Mike Leavitt governor three times. Prior to leaving the statehouse to work in the Bush Administration, he was the nation's longest-serving governor. During his eleven years of service, Utah was recognized six times as one of America's best managed states. He was chosen by his peers as Chairman of the National Governors Association, Western Governors Association and Republican Governors Association because of his ability to solve problems across partisan lines. Utah's governor before President George W. Bush tapped him to head the Environmental Protection Agency, and now as Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Lee, Debi | Attended the 2005 meeting according to the Associated Press. In 2005, she became a CEO of BET Holdings (Black Entertainment Television), a cable channel unit of Viacom Inc. Went with BET chairman Robert Johnson.
Levin, Gerald M. | Once rated the fourth most powerful person in the media, Gerald Levin is the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AOL Time Warner and of the pre-AOL merger Time Warner, Incorporated. Levin is best known for pioneering the use of communication satellites to obtain nationwide distribution of programming for Time Inc.’s Home Box Office (HBO), and also as the architect of the 1990 merger between Time Warner and America Online (AOL). Looked over the Turner acquisition (owned CNN). Finally in 2000, he sold the firm to AOL Chairman Steve Case. (owns Turner Broadcasting Systems, TBS, TNT, Cartoon Network, and Turner Classic Movies. Member Trilateral Commission, member Council on Foreign Relations. Member of the Chief Executive's Council of International Advisors of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, together with Paul Volcker, Andre Desmarais, Sir John Bond, Peter Sutherland, and Maurice R. Greenberg.
Malone, John Custer | Dr. John C. Malone is Chairman of Liberty Media Corporation, a position he has held since 1990. From 1996 to March, 1999 when Tele-Communications, Inc., (TCI) merged with AT&T Corp., he was also Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TCI. Previous to that, from 1973 to 1996, Dr. Malone served as President and CEO of TCI. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Bank of New York, the CATO Institute, Discovery Communications, Inc., UnitedGlobalCom, Inc., Cablevision Systems Corporation, and The Nature Conservancy. Additionally, Dr. Malone is Chairman Emeritus of the Board for Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. and Chairman, CEO and President of Liberty Media International. Born March 7, 1941, in Milford, Connecticut, Dr. Malone was a Phi Beta Kappa and merit scholar at Yale University where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Economics in 1963. He also received a Master of Science in Industrial Management from Johns Hopkins in 1964 and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Operations Research from Johns Hopkins in 1967. Dr. Malone began his career in 1963 at Bell Telephone Laboratories / AT&T in economic planning and research and development. In 1968, he joined McKinsey & Company and in 1970 he became Group Vice President at General Instrument Corporation (GI). He was later named President of Jerrold Electronics, a GI subsidiary. He served as Director of the National Cable Television Association (NCTA) from 1974 to 1977 and again from 1980 to 1993. During the 1977-1978 term, Dr. Malone was the NCTA's Treasurer.
Mays, Lowry | Lowry Mays, the man Fortune magazine has labeled the “Big Daddy of radio,” is the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Clear Channel Communications, the largest U.S. chain of radio stations. Clear Channel's aggressive acquisitiveness and bottom line business practices have elicited opposition bordering on hatred from competitors, artists, and local radio advocates. Accordingly, Mays has come to be seen by critics as an evil emperor, bent on converting locally unique cultural offerings into Mall of America sameness. Mays has stated that he has no interest in radio content, but only in selling advertisements.
Middelhoff, Thomas | CEO of Bertelsmann. Bertelsmann doesn't have any debts, which is quite a contrast with it's American competitors. He is a trustee of Atlantik-Brücke.
Moonves, Leslie | Leslie Moonves was named Co-President and Co-Chief Operating Officer of Viacom in June 2004. In this role, he oversees all of Viacom's domestic and international broadcast television operations, its radio division and its outdoor advertising operations. Included in this vast area of oversight are CBS, UPN, CBS Enterprises, King World, the Viacom Television Stations Group, Paramount Television, Infinity Broadcasting and Viacom Outdoor. In addition, Moonves continues to serve as Chairman of CBS. He was promoted to Chairman and CEO of CBS in 2003, and prior to that, was President and Chief Executive Officer, CBS Television, a position he was elevated to in April 1998. He joined CBS in July 1995 as President, CBS Entertainment.
Moore, Gordon | Gordon Moore is one of the two founders of Intel Corporation, and a distinguished engineer and scientist who was responsible for a number of major breakthroughs in semiconductor technology. Intel has been a leading producer of microprocessors and other semiconductor devices since the years immediately following the company's founding in 1968, and by the mid-1990s had grown to be one of the most dominant and important companies in the world. Moore served as Intel's President and Chief Executive Officer of from 1975 until 1987, at which time he was named Chairman Emeritus.
Mondale, Walter Frederick | Senator from Minnesota and Vice President of the United States; born in Ceylon, Martin County, Minn., January 5, 1928; attended the Heron Lake and Elmore, Minn., public schools; attended Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn.; graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1951; served in the United States Army 1951-1953; graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School 1956; admitted to the Minnesota bar in 1956 and commenced practice in Minneapolis; appointed and elected attorney general of Minnesota in 1960 and reelected in 1962; member of the President’s Consumer Advisory Council 1960-1964; appointed on December 30, 1964, as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Hubert H. Humphrey for the term ending January 3, 1967; elected in 1966 for the term commencing January 3, 1967; reelected in 1972 and served from December 30, 1964, until his resignation December 30, 1976; chairman, Select Committee on Equal Education Opportunity (Ninety-first and Ninety-second Congresses); elected Vice President of the United States on the Democratic ticket with President Jimmy Carter on November 2, 1976; inaugurated January 20, 1977, and served until January 20, 1981; unsuccessful Democratic candidate for reelection; unsuccessful Democratic nominee for President of the United States in 1984; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Japan, 1993-1996; unsuccessful Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2002.
Murdoch, Lachlan K. | Lachlan Keith Murdoch (born 1971) is the son of media mogul, Rupert Murdoch and is heir apparent of News Corporation. Lachlan was born in London, but was raised in a wealthy Manhattan neighbourhood, where his father owned the New York Post. He received his education at the exclusive Aspen County Day School in Colorado and earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Princeton University. During summers he would work jobs ranging from cleaning printing presses to sub-editor at The Sun and The Times. His first job came at Queensland Newspapers, which publishes The Courier-Mail in Brisbane. He then became publisher of Australia’s first national paper, The Australian. In 1995 he was appointed Deputy CEO of News Limited, Executive Director of News Corporation since 1996, Deputy Chief Operating Officer since 2000, Senior Executive Vice President from 1999 to 2000, and Chairman of STAR since 1995. He has been criticised as a "rich brat" for his "poor handling" of Murdoch interests in One.Tel, which lost the empire millions of dollars. Lachlan has also been attacked for trying to "Americanise" Australian newspapers. He is also a publisher of the New York Post.
Murdoch, Rupert Keith | Australian-American publishing magnate with a personal fortune of about 8 billion dollars. Combining sensationalist journalism (often reflective of his generally hawkish, strongly conservative political views) with aggressive promotion, Murdoch established a worldwide communications empire, the News Corporation, that, among other assets, includes powerful holdings in Australia and New Zealand; the prestigious Times of London and other British papers; and, in the United States, HarperCollins book publishers, the New York Post, and TV Guide. He also acquired 20th Century Fox film studios and home video and built the Fox Television network, as well as television stations in Australia. His other communications ventures include direct-broadcast satellite television and cable networks, and he has purchased broadcast rights to major sports events in Britain, the United States, Australia, and India. He became a U.S. citizen in 1985. One of the News Corporations he owns is the UK's British Sky Broadcasting, of which he is a chairman. Vice-chairman of that company since 2003 is Lord Jacob Rothschild. Rupert has been a friend of Rothschild since he first came to the UK in the 1960s. Murdoch has also been a director of Philip Morris and arms manufacturer United Technologies.
Murphy, Thomas S. | Thomas S. Murphy was chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of Capital Cities/ABC, Inc. from the time Capital Cities acquired the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) until his retirement in 1996. During his 30-year tenure with Capital Cities and ABC, Murphy led the transition of a small television holding company and the nation's number three broadcast network to the status of multinational media conglomerate. Cap Cities/ABC was acquired by the Walt Disney Company in 1996.
Nardelli, Robert L. | BSc in Business, Western Illinois University, MBA, University of Louisville. 1971, joined GE; leadership positions in Appliances, Lighting and Transportation Systems business units; 1988, joined Case Corporation as Executive Vice-President and led the Worldwide Parts and Components group; later, promoted to lead the Case Construction Equipment global business; 1991, returned to GE as President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Appliance Manufacturing Co. (CAMCO); 1992, President and Chief Executive Officer, GE Transportation Systems, Erie, PA; 2000, operational responsibility for Home Depot; 2002, Chairman of Board of Directors. 2002, appointed to the Board of Directors, Coca-Cola. 2003, selected to serve on the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. Invited to join the Board of Councillors, Carter Center.
O'Donovan, Leo J. | Fr. O'Donovan, 70, is President Emeritus of Georgetown University, having served as President of the University from 1989 until 2001. He has served on a number of higher education boards, including that of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, and was a member of the Steering Committee of Presidents for the America Reads initiative. He also is a former member of the National Council on the Arts of the National Endowment for the Arts, past chair of the Consortium on Financing Higher Education and past president of the Catholic Theological Society of America. He is a director of the Disney Company.
Ollila, Jorma J. | Master of Political Science (University of Helsinki), Master of Science (Econ.) (London School of Economics), Master of Science (Eng.) (Helsinki University of Technology). President and CEO, Chairman of the Group Executive Board of Nokia Corporation 1992-1999, President of Nokia Mobile Phones 1990-1992, Senior Vice President, Finance of Nokia 1986-1989. Holder of various managerial positions at Citibank within corporate banking 1978-1985. Member of the Board of Directors of Ford Motor Company and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of UPM-Kymmene Corporation and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Otava Books and Magazines Group Ltd. Chairman of the Boards of Directors and the Supervisory Boards of Finnish Business and Policy Forum EVA and The Research Institute of the Finnish Economy ETLA. Member of The European Round Table of Industrialists.
Ovitz, Michael | Once known as “the most powerful man in Hollywood,” Michael Ovitz founded and headed Creative Artists Agency (CAA), one of the film industry’s most powerful talent agencies with a client list that would include some 150 directors, 130 actors, and 250 writers by the late 1980s. Ovitz’s extraordinary success was built through a series of strategic moves that effectively broke the unwritten laws of how the entertainment business should be conducted. In late 1995, Ovitz surprised Hollywood insiders by accepting Michael Eisner’s offer to become president of the Walt Disney Company, only to leave the company 15 months later with a severance package worth more than $100 million.
Page, Lawrence "Larry" E. | Larry E. Page is, as of March 2005, the President of Products of Google Inc. Together with Sergey Brin he founded google. As of 2004, both have an estimated fortune of about 7 billion dollars.
Parsons, Richard D. | Undergraduate studies at the University of Hawaii; legal training, Albany Law School, Union University. Formerly: various positions in state and federal service; Counsel for Nelson Rockefeller; Senior White House Aide under President Ford; Managing Partner, Patterson, Belknap, Webb & Tyler, New York; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dime Bancorp. Since 1991, Member of the Board of Directors and 1995, became President, Time Warner. Currently, Chief Executive Officer, Time Warner. Member of the Board: Citigroup; Estee Lauder; Colonial Williamsburg Foundation; Lincoln Center; Museum of Modern Art; Howard University. Chairman: Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation; Apollo Theatre Foundation. 2001, appointed Co-Chairman, President's Commission to Strengthen Social Security. Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Time Warner Inc. Director of the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation, together with four former U.S. presidents, Maurice R. Greenberg, Henry R. Kravis (Bohemian Grove), David Rockefeller, Jerry I. Speyer (big Rockefeller guy), John C. Whitehead (photographed standing behind Lord Rothschild and Kissinger; likely Pilgrim), Anne M. Tatlock (gone from her WTC on the morning on 9/11), Sir John Bond (HSBC; Multinaltional Chairman's Group), Michael Eisner (Sun Valley Meetings), and Peter G. Peterson(chair Blackstone Group; chair NY Fed; chair CFR).
Perelman, Ronald O. | Ronald O. Perelman is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings, a diversified holding company with interests in consumer products, entertainment, financial services, biotechnology and gaming. Among the principal interests of MacAndrews & Forbes are: Revlon, Inc., Panavision, Inc., Allied Security, TransTech Pharma, Scientific Games Corporation, Marvel Entertainment (Toy Biz, Fleer trading cards and Marvel comic books), the Coleman Company (outdoor recreation equipment), New World Communications Group (10 television stations), Mafco Worldwide (flavors), Meridian Sports (water sports, including Boston Whaler boats), First Nationwide Bank (multistate banking), National Health Laboratories (clinical diagnostic-testing laboratories) and Consolidated Cigar Corporation (cigars). These days, Perelman's efforts are focused on building a television-broadcasting empire. The New York Department of Dermatology was named in his after a generous gift in 1991. Perelman has a personal fortune of about 5 billion dollars and is a friend of John Bongiovi. Offended Allen by hiring locals and body guards to protect him.
Perenchio, Jerry | Jerry Perenchio, who runs Univision Communications Inc., has an iron grip on America's 40 million Hispanics. From a single Spanish-language TV station, he has put together a media colossus whose networks outdraw the big U.S. networks among 18-to-49-year-olds in prime time. Univision draws more young viewers in prime time than MTV and more men than ESPN, according to Nielsen. And in Hispanic-rich markets such as Los Angeles, Miami, and Phoenix, it often beats English-language rivals to snare the younger viewers advertisers crave. Perenchio has added music labels and TV stations. Last year, he paid $3.4 billion for Hispanic Broadcasting, making Univision the nation's largest Spanish radio company. The most powerful mogul in Spanish TV distrusts the media, rarely gives interviews, and doesn't even speak Spanish. He's a jet-hopping, 73-year-old former boxing promoter who pals around with George Bush (41 and 43) and lives in the sprawling Bel Air (Calif.) mansion featured in the 1960s sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies. He loves throwing lavish parties -- once he even flew in Henry Mancini and Andy Williams to perform at his son's 1981 wedding. Still, to most people in Hollywood, where as a talent agent he once championed the careers of Elizabeth Taylor and Marlon Brando, Jerry Perenchio is an enigma.
Peretsman, Nancy B. | Executive vice president and manager director, Allen & Co. Nancy is a director of Charter Communications, the fourth largest cable company in the United States, Narad Networks, and Priceline, in which she was an original investor. Before she came to Allen & Co. she was employed at Salomon's. When she decided to leave, Warren Buffett (major shareholder of Solomon's) tried to convince her to stay, until he heard she went to Allen & Company.
Pollack, Sydney | Producer of movies like 'The Firm', 'The Talented Mr. Ripley' & 'Cold Mountain'. Winner of year 2000 John Huston Award, presented by Tom Cruise on behalf of Directors Guild of America, as a "defender of artists' rights...a warrior."
Redstone, Sumner | Acquired Viacom in 1987, which owns CBS Television Network, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, VH1, Black Entertainment Television, Paramount Pictures, Infinity Broadcasting, Viacom Outdoor, UPN, TV Land, Comedy Central, CMT: Country Music Television, King World, Spike TV, Showtime, and Simon & Schuster. He is often described as 'self absorbed' and has had conflicts with other Sun Valley guests like Barry Diller and Frank Biondi. Founding member of the American Cancer Foundation. Privately, he also gives to the United Jewish Appeal. Has a personal fortune of about 8 billion dollars.
Roberts, Brian | Since the age of 30, Brian Roberts has been President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Comcast Corporation, the world's largest cable television company. Comcast became the world's largest cable operator with the acquisition of industry leader AT&T Broadband in December 2002. Roberts is perhaps best known for his ability to spot business opportunity, to "zero in" aggressively in pursuit of a new acquisition, and to negotiate a favorable agreement. Brian credits his mastery of these and other skills to his father and mentor; Comcast founder Ralph Roberts. The father-son team that runs Comcast is a unique and respected institution in American business.
Robinson, James D., III | James D. Robinson III has been a Director of the Company (First Data) since April 1992 and a Director of eONE Global General Partner II, LLC, a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company, since December 2002. He is a General Partner and co-founder of RRE Ventures, a private information technology venture investment firm. Mr. Robinson previously served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and as a Director of American Express from 1977 until February 1993. He is a Director of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, The Coca-Cola Company, Novell, Inc., Pinnacor, Inc. First Data, and several privately owned companies. Mr. Robinson is a member of the Business Council, the Council on Foreign Relations and the Committee for Economic Development. He is Honorary Co-Chairman of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, an honorary Trustee of the Brookings Institution and Chairman Emeritus of the World Travel and Tourism Council Institution. He is invited every year.
Rutherfurd, James | Rutherfurd heads the investment banking group of Veronis Suhler Stevenson, a merchant bank specializing in the media industry, and is a senior principal with the company's VS&A Communications Partners III fund. He also manages the VSS Focus Program, which looks for deals that Veronis Suhler Stevenson can take part in; he has closed more than $28 billion in media transactions, according to the bank. Before Veronis Suhler Stevenson hired Rutherfurd in January 1999, he was a managing director in JP Morgan's mergers and acquisitions group and co-head of the company's media group. Rutherfurd has a law degree from the University of Virginia and a bachelor's degree from Princeton University.
Saban, Haim | Egyptian-born Israeli Haim Saban emigrated to the U.S. to join the major league of media moguls, primarily on the strength of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, a phenomenally popular television series (and line of licensed products). Saban began his career as Israel’s, and then France’s leading music promoter/manager before founding Saban Entertainment in Los Angeles. In the late 1990s he launched cable network Fox Family Worldwide in partnership with News Corporation chairman Rupert Murdoch. Although Fox Family flopped in the ratings, the network was sold to Disney for more than $5 billion, making Saban a billionaire and funding his subsequent series of bold moves to acquire media assets in Europe.
Sassa, Scott | President of NBC Entertainment Organization. Before joining NBC, he worked for Ronald Perelman's Andrews Group, where he was CEO of Marvel Entertainment, an Andrews Group subsidiary. Before that he spent nine years at Turner Broadcasting System (CNN), and before that he was vice president of network management for Fox Broadcasting, where he worked for Barry Diller.
Sawyer, Diane | Administrator of the White House press office 1970-1974, researcher for Richard Nixon's memoirs 1974-1978, CBS' U.S. State Department correspondent, correspondent CBS Evening News 1978-1981, co-anchor CBS Morning News 1981-1984, co-anchor CBS' Early Morning News 1982-1984, correspondent and co-editor of 60 Minutes 1984-1989, co-anchor of ABC's Prime Time Live since 1989, co-anchor of ABC's Good Morning America since 1999. Member Council on Foreign Relations. She is a longtime friend of Herb Allen. Sawyer reported live from Ground Zero during the week of Sept. 11. She returned to Afghanistan to reunite the women profiled in her 1996 report from behind the burqua, as one of the first Western journalists to expose the plight of women under Taliban rule. Her interviews include President George W. Bush in his first national interview; Saddam Hussein, the first Western television interview granted by the Iraqi president for nearly a decade; President Fidel Castro; Robert MacNamara's public apology on Vietnam; Sammy "The Bull" Gravano, the convicted Mafia member who turned against the Gambino crime family and his boss, John Gotti; Ellen DeGeneres, who announced her homosexuality; ousted Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega's first interview from prison; Michael Jackson and his then-wife Lisa Marie Presley's only interview; Michael J. Fox's interview about Parkinson's disease and the decision to leave his show; and former first lady Nancy Reagan on President Reagan's battle with Alzheimer's disease and their 50-year marriage. She also had the first interview at home with the Clintons after the 1992 presidential election. Sawyer is also an award-winning investigative journalist, on topics ranging from biological weapons production in Russia to daycare abuse. She brought American viewers a shocking report on the warehousing of Russian children in state-run orphanages; a diary of life inside a maximum security prison for women, where Sawyer spent two days and nights; an investigation into the neglect and abuse at state-run institutions for the mentally retarded; and a landmark investigation into pharmacy prescription errors.
Schneider, John A. | Managing director Allen & Co., chairman Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis, director Andre Agassi Foundation. A John A. Schneider has been a president of the CBS Broadcasting group until 1977. Not sure if it's the same person.
Scott, H. Lee, Jr. | H. Lee Scott, Jr. has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. since January 2000. Lee joined Wal-Mart in 1979 in the company's logistics and transportation area, and he worked in that area in a series of progressive positions for the first 16 years of his Wal-Mart career. He served as Director of Transportation, Vice President of Distribution, and Senior Vice President of Logistics during that time. Lee was promoted to Executive Vice President of Logistics in 1993. In 1995, Lee was named Executive Vice President of Merchandise and Sales for the Wal-Mart Stores Division. In 1998, he was named President and Chief Executive Officer of the Wal-Mart Stores Division, and in 1999, he became Chief Operating Officer and Vice Chairman of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. During Lee's tenure in logistics and transportation, Wal-Mart's program drew increasing respect as one of the best of its kind in business. Working with his merchandise team during his time in that area, Scott also was instrumental in driving improvement in inventory levels and merchandise flow in the stores. Prior to joining Wal-Mart, Lee worked with two companies in the freight and transportation area, Yellow Freight System and Queen City Warehouse. Lee is a graduate of Pittsburg State University (Kansas) with a bachelor's degree in business. Lee also has completed executive development programs at Penn State University and Columbia University.
Semel, Terry | Since May 2001, Terry Semel has served as the chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Yahoo! Inc., a leading provider of online services. As “Chief Yahoo,” Semel has engineered what Business Week characterized as “one of the most remarkable revivals of a beleaguered dot-com.” During the last 24 years of the 20th century, Semel served (with Robert Daly) as co-chairman and co-Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Warner Brothers, and was credited with transforming the company from an ageing movie studio into a diversified media conglomerate generating more than $10 billion annually from diverse operations in more than 50 countries. In 1999, Terry Semel, then co-CEO of Warner Bros, met Yahoo! Inc co-founder Jerry Yang at the Allen & Co retreat. Two years later, Semel was hired to run Yahoo.
Sharer, Kevin | Kevin Sharer was named chief executive officer of Amgen Inc., the world's largest biotechnology company, in 2000 and chairman of the board in 2001. He joined Amgen in 1992 as president, chief operating officer and member of the board of directors. Under Sharer's guidance, the company has grown considerably, completing biotech's largest acquisition, launching new products, building its customer base, and adding thousands of employees. Before joining Amgen, Sharer was executive vice president and president of the Business Markets division at MCI Communications. Prior to working with MCI, he served in a variety of executive roles at General Electric and was a consultant for McKinsey & Company. Sharer serves on the board of directors for 3M, UNOCAL and the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation. Since 2003, he also sits on the board of directors at Northrop Grunman. He is chairman of the board of trustees of the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History and a member of The Business Council.
Shuman, Stanley | At 61, managing director Stanley Shuman is a 35-year veteran of Allen & Co. Shuman is one of media magnate Rupert Murdoch's closest advisers, and he's close to wealthy Manhattan real estate developer Bernard Mendik. Shuman is no shrinking violet, and his large ego is a source of amusement to some of his colleagues.
Spielberg, Steven | The most famous brand name in moviemaking since Walt Disney, Steven Spielberg broke into Hollywood at a very young age, directed and/or produced many of the biggest box-office hits of the last three decades, and opened the first successful new movie studio in Los Angeles since the mid-1930s. Spielberg is the wealthiest filmmaker in history and renowned throughout the industry as the toughest of negotiators. While the Spielberg Legend can be recited by film fans and students around the world, the sheer enormity of his popular achievements continue to obscure an important fact: Steven Spielberg is one of the all-time great film directors. Co-founder of Dreamworks.
Stark, Ray | Influential and prolific film producer who made more than 125 films, including Funny Girl and Steel Magnolias. Died in 2004. First introduced Herbert Allen to the Sun Valley.
Stern, David J. | David Stern has been the commissioner of the National Basketball Association since February 1, 1984. Mr. Stern began his association with the NBA in 1966 as outside counsel, joined the NBA in 1978 as general counsel and became the league's executive vice president in 1980. In addition to being chairman of the board of trustees at Columbia University, Mr. Stern currently serves on the boards of Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City, the Rutgers University Foundation, the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund, the Museum of Television and Radio, and Jazz at Lincoln Center. He is also a member of the Reading is Fundamental Advisory Council and the Board of Associates of Gallaudet University.
Strauss, Robert S. | Robert Strauss became Chairman of the Board of the U.S.-Russia Business Council in January 1993. He is a Partner at Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, L.L.P. In August 1991, Mr. Strauss was sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to the Soviet Union. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, he in turn became U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation. In November 1992, he resigned from the Foreign Service to rejoin his law firm. Mr. Strauss served as a Special Agent in the FBI after receiving his law degree from the University of Texas. In January 1946, he entered private law practice and founded the firm that became Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, L.L.P., with offices in Texas, Washington, Brussels, and Moscow. Mr. Strauss served as Chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 1973 to 1976. He served as Chairman of President Carter's election campaign in 1976, and then in President Carter's Cabinet as Special Trade Representative. Over the next two-and-a-half years, Mr. Strauss successfully concluded the Tokyo Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations and directed its passage through Congress, culminating in the Trade Act of 1979. Following the completion of the trade agreements, President Carter asked Mr. Strauss to serve as his Personal Representative to the Middle East peace negotiations. In 1981, Mr. Strauss was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award. A popular lecturer, he speaks extensively across the country and abroad and has authored numerous articles for professional journals, newspapers and magazines. Director of Archer Daniels Midland, Xerox, and many other companies. He previously held the Lloyd Bentsen Chair at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, where he has lectured at the School of Law and the Graduate School of Business. Member of the Alfalfa Club, Council on Foreign Relations, Trilateral Commission, and a trustee for the Center for Strategic & International Studies. Strauss is a friend of Herbert Allen
Stringer, Howard | BA; MA in Modern History, Oxford Univ., UK. Thirty years with CBS: 1976-81, Exec. Producer, CBS Reports; 1981-84, Exec. Producer, CBS Evening News; 1984-86, Vice-President and 1986-88, President, CBS News; 1988-95, President, CBS Broadcast Grp. 1995-97, Chairman and CEO, Tele-TV, USA. Since 1997, current position and Chairman, Sony Canada. Member of the Board of Directors: SCA; Sony Electronics; Sony Music; Sony Pictures; 1999, Sony Corp. Member of the Board, Sony Europe. Vice-Chairman, American Film Inst. Member of the Board of Trustees, Museum of Television and Radio. Trustee, American Women in Radio and Television. Director, Motion Picture & Television Fund Foundation. Director or Member of the Board of Governors of several organizations. Recipient of numerous awards, honours and January 2000, awarded Knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II. Goes to DAVOS.
Tenet, George John | Jesuit Georgetown University - School of Foreign Service - Bachelor's degree 1976, Columbia University - School of International Affairs - Master's degree 1978, staff director of the Senate Committee on Intelligence 1988-1993, National Security Council staff 1993-1995, deputy director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) 1995-1996. CIA director 1996-2004. Went to the Sun Valley meeting in 2003, giving a private intelligence briefing. Announced his resignation for personal reasons and "the well-being of his family" on 3 June 2004. Chairman United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation. Invited in 2005 as a member of the panel on terrorism. Former anchor of NBC Tom Brokaw (CFR) and New York Times / Foreign Affairs columnist Thomas Friedman (CFR) were the other members of the panel. The panel was established, because at the start of the conference there were terrorrist attacks in London. After his resignation as the DCI he became a professor at Georgetown University. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) presented Tenet with its highest honor, the America's Democratic Legacy Award, in 2005.
Turner, Robert E. "Ted" | Robert Edward (Ted) Turner III is the charismatic and controversial founder of Turner Broadcasting Systems (TBS) and Cable News Network (CNN). TBS (currently a division of AOL Time Warner) was a pioneer cable network that grew to become one of the world's most successful broadcasting and media conglomerates. Turner has become known for a flamboyant and outspoken personal style that has earned him nicknames such as "Captain Outrageous," and "the Mouth from the South." Vice-chairman of AOL Time Warner. Donated to the Lucis Trust. His words about the Sun Valley Meetings after he stopped going and subsequently wasn't invited anymore: "I guess I made it known that I found it too boring hanging around all those people." In 1996, Turner apologized to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for comments he made comparing FOX head Rupert Murdoch to Hitler. In 1997, Turner announced that he will donate $1 billion over the next decade to United Nations programs. In 2004 Ted Turner called FOX an arm of the Bush administration and compared FOXNEWS’s popularity to Hitler’s popular election to run Germany before WWII.
Vigil, Henry 'Hank' P. | Senior vice president of Consumer Strategy and Partnerships at Microsoft. Vigil is responsible for developing Microsoft's consumer strategy. Before he held this position, Vigil was senior director of Strategy Planning and Business Development for the Digital Television Group at Microsoft, responsible for the development of Microsoft's digital TV strategy. Previously Vigil was general manager of the Internet Commerce Business Unit, where he drove the acquisition of eShop Inc., and general manager of the Interactive Television Business Unit, where he redirected Microsoft's development efforts toward the emerging Internet market. From 1990 to 1995, as director of marketing for Desktop Applications, he was responsible for overall marketing and business strategy for Microsoft Office, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.
Walker, Jay S. | Founder of the online business (Priceline.com)that lets users name their price for plane tickets, hotel rooms and mortgages. Also responsible for reviving career of William (Captain Kirk) Shatner, star of Priceline's unsettling television ads. With copycat Web sites cropping up, trying to patent Priceline's "business model." Has patents on scores of other ideas through his R&D lab, Walker Digital. Launched online bargaining platform for gasoline and groceries through Priceline subsidiary WebHouse Club. This year sold options for 8 million Priceline shares to Paul Allen's Vulcan Ventures and John Malone's Liberty Digital for $190 million. Also gearing up for the IPO of Synapse Group--a marketing firm for magazine publishers he cofounded in 1991. Yonkers, N.Y. native has seen net worth tumble 62% since last year, but still rich enough to collect misprinted U.S. currency and space memorabilia. Has a personal fortune of about 1.6 billion.
Wang, Charles B. | Founder, chairman and CEO of Computer Associates International Inc. (CA). He was born in Shanghai, but moved to Queens, NY when he was eight years old.
Wilpon, Fred | Co-founder and chairman of Sterling Equities and chairman and chief executive officer of the New York Mets. He bought the New York Mets in 2002 for $391 million.
Winfrey, Oprah | Oprah Winfrey, the star of the nationally and internationally syndicated talk show The Oprah Winfrey Show, has built her celebrity into a sizeable media empire under the banner of her private company, Harpo Entertainment. Named as one of the 100 Most Influential People of the 20th Century by Time magazine, Winfrey’s influence extends well beyond her financial reach and viewership numbers. Her relationship with her audience at once embodies fanatical loyalty and casual intimacy, making Winfrey perhaps the public figure with the most profound affect on the lives of those who watch her show.
Whitman, Margaret C. | Since becoming Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of pioneer online auctioneer eBay in 1998, Meg Whitman has masterminded one of the most successful IPOs in history, guided the company’s international expansion, and overseen continuing profitability and expansion in the post-Internet bubble period. In the face of economic recession and competitive challenges launched by Amazom.com, Yahoo!, and Lycos, Whitman has sustained eBay’s leadership and, as a result, remains the czarina of Net auctions.
Wright, Robert C. | Robert C. Wright is the chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Broadcasting Company (NBC). He was named to the head post when General Electric (GE) bought the Radio Corporation of America (RCA), the previous owner of NBC. Wright is best known for transforming NBC from a narrowly focused broadcast network to a global media conglomerate. His tenure as NBC head has been the longest since that of broadcast pioneer, David Sarnoff. Following the 2003 announcement that NBC would merge with Vivendi Universal Entertainment (VUE), owner of Universal Pictures and the USA Network, Wright was appointed to head the merged company, NBC Universal.
Yang, Jerry | Jerry Yang is the young Taiwanese-born, Stanford-educated co-founder and "Head-Yahoo" (his official title) of Yahoo! Inc., purveyors of the Web’s most visited site, Yahoo.com. In their own version of the iconic Silicon Valley success story, Yang and Yahoo! co-founder David Filo were a couple of computer-obsessed college students who spent late nights among stacks of pizza boxes working on an original idea. Their efforts created a new institution, the Internet portal, and earned billions for Yahoo!’s founders when the company’s stock was taken public.