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
68. Richard Driehaus 70. Pat Quinn 69 Michael Ferro Jr. Age: 46 Occupation: Chairman, Wrapports Next Back This moneyman seems bent on conquering the media one property at a time. After having led the consortium that bought the Reader and the Sun-Times (which went on to run a photo spread of his family at a … Read more
83. Anne Pramaggiore 85. Brendan Sodikoff 84 Desirée Rogers Age: 53 Occupation: CEO, Johnson Publishing Co. Next Back She wasn’t invited to the June wedding of Valerie Jarrett’s daughter, but this business-minded media executive tops the invite list for the rest of the city’s high-profile affairs. Photograph: SHAUNA BITTLE/CHICAGO TRIBUNE
99. Anita Alvarez 100 Andrew Mason Age: 32 Occupation: CEO, Groupon Back When news that your board didn't fire you causes your company's share price to fall still farther, you're a clout-challenged CEO indeed. Many blame Mason for Groupon's transformation from white-hot IPO to Wall Street whipping boy; 2013 will be his make-or-break year. … Read more
