Age: 52
Occupation: Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Aviation

Rhee, who spent nine years as the city’s chief procurement officer, controls the gravy train of jobs and lucrative contracts that come with the $8.5 billion O’Hare renovation, the centerpiece of which is a new international terminal designed by Chicago starchitect Jeanne Gang (see No. 7). It’s the most ambitious and costliest expansion project in the airport’s 65-year history.