Everything about this Hyatt Hotels heir is big. His private equity firm (run with his L.A.-based brother, Tony). His outsize venture capital bets (including $50 million invested in a data center fi rm last year). His generosity as the patron saint of Chicago tech ("his leadership in the tech ecosystem is unmatched," says Rita Athas, president of World Business Chicago). Whether you're a hotshot entrepreneur looking for funding or a government bigwig aiming to goose economic development, this down-to-earth tycoon (Forbes pegs his net worth at $2.5 billion) is the first person you call.

Photograph: BOB STEFKO