55. Patricia Hemingway Hall 57. Douglas Druick 56 Theo Epstein Age: 39 Occupation: President of baseball operations, Chicago Cubs Next Back Baseball’s golden boy hasn’t been able to end the most-talked-about drought in pro sports. But he still rides high on the team owners’ unequivocal support and fans who hang on his every word. Photograph: … Read more
80. Joseph Ferguson 82. Jorge Ramirez 81 Christopher Crane Age: 54 Occupation: CEO, Exelon Next Back He wields his power literally: Exelon is one of the largest energy providers in the United States. But the relatively little-known nuclear plant operations expert, who took the reins from John Rowe (No. 96) last March, has so far … Read more
16. Don Thompson 18. John Rogers Jr. 17 Jim Delany Age: 64 Occupation: Commissioner, Big Ten Conference Next Back With stunning speed and negotiating savvy, this commissioner has put the Park Ridge-based Big Ten out front of a sea change in college athletics: the super-conference, or the massive conglomeration of schools that equals massive TV … Read more
62. Greg Goldner 64. James Reynolds Jr. 63 Robert Falls Age: 58 Occupation: Artistic director, Goodman Theatre Next Back In February, Falls broke box-office records at D.C.’s respected Arena Stage with his production of Red. In 2013, he’ll bring Chicago two world premieres: a play by Pulitzer winner Lynn Nottage and Mary Zimmerman’s Jungle Book. … Read more
10. David Axelrod 12. Lester Crown 11 Rocky Wirtz Age: 60 Occupation: Co-owner, United Center; chairman, Chicago Blackhawks Next Back The four-month National Hockey League lockout was a mess for everyone involved, especially Wirtz, who had a front-row seat as a member of the executive committee of the NHL Board of Governors. Now that the … Read more
30. Garry McCarthy 32. Juan Rangel 31 David Spielfogel Age: 35 Occupation: Senior adviser to the mayor, City of Chicago Next Back He may be young, but this ambitious London School of Economics grad has worked everywhere: in the Clinton White House, on Howard Dean’s presidential campaign, and on U.S. Senate bids on behalf of … Read more
15. Sam Zell 17. Jim Delany 16 Don Thompson Age: 49 Occupation: CEO, McDonald’s Next Back Talk about a tough act to follow. Former McDonald’s honcho Jim Skinner was one of the best CEOs on the planet. The enigmatic Thompson, who got the top job when Skinner retired last summer, is now grappling with slumping … Read more
56. Theo Epstein 58. Frederick Waddell 57 Douglas Druick Age: 67 Occupation: President, Art Institute of Chicago Next Back In the digital age, this chief has moved mountains to make AIC the head of the virtual museum pack. Meanwhile, 2012 attendance was a healthy 1.4 million, and his 2013 opener, Picasso and Chicago, has blockbuster … Read more
64. James Reynolds Jr. 66. Tyrone Fahner 65 Tom Wilson Age: 55 Occupation: Chairman and CEO, Allstate Next Back The head of the Northbrook-based insurance giant delivered a 45 percent rise in stock price last year, silencing his critics and nabbing him a debut on this list. Photograph: THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION
17. Jim Delany 19. Eric Lefkofsky 18 John Rogers Jr. Age: 55 Occupation: Chairman and CEO, Ariel Investments Next Back When you’re the head of a firm that manages $5 billion in assets, a civic connector par excellence (see “It’s Cozy at the Top”), and buds with the president, you command an audience when you … Read more
