Don Ahern, founder of Los Arcos Equipment and longtime leader of Ahern Rentals, built his fortune by supplying the machinery behind Las Vegas’s skyline and major construction projects across the U.S. Starting with a small fleet of lifts in 1978, he expanded his business into one of the country’s largest equipment rental companies before selling Ahern Rentals in 2022, cementing his status as one of the most successful figures in the construction equipment industry.

Greg Brown, chairman and CEO of Motorola Solutions, has transformed the company from a legacy communications business into a leader in mission-critical networks, command center software, and video security. Since becoming CEO in 2008, he has driven a long run of acquisitions and strategic repositioning, helping turn Motorola Solutions into one of the most important technology providers serving public safety, government, and enterprise customers. Known for disciplined execution and long-term value creation, Brown has become one of the most enduring leaders in industrial technology.

Albert H. Nahmad, founder, chairman, and CEO of Watsco, has spent more than five decades building the company into North America’s largest distributor of air-conditioning, heating, and refrigeration equipment and parts. Since taking control in 1972, Nahmad helped transform Watsco from a modest manufacturer into a dominant HVAC/R distribution platform serving thousands of contractors through an expanding network of locations, joint ventures, and acquisitions. Known for disciplined capital allocation, long-term value creation, and steady operational execution, he has made Watsco one of the most successful compounders in industrial distribution.

Mitchell Jacobson, cofounder and co-CEO of MSC Industrial Direct, helped build one of North America’s largest distributors of metalworking and maintenance supplies through disciplined execution, scale logistics, and a relentless focus on customer service. After joining the family-founded business, Jacobson oversaw its expansion from a catalog distributor into a technology-enabled industrial supplier serving manufacturers nationwide. Under his leadership, MSC grew into a multibillion-dollar public company known for operational efficiency, strong margins, and long-term shareholder alignment, while maintaining a conservative balance sheet and founder-led culture.

Frank Laukien, chairman, president, and CEO of Bruker Corporation, has built the scientific instruments maker into a global leader in analytical and diagnostic solutions. Taking the helm of the company founded by his father, Laukien expanded its product portfolio across life sciences, materials research, and industrial applications, serving top research institutions and laboratories worldwide. A physicist by training, he has guided Bruker’s growth through innovation-driven acquisitions and a focus on precision technologies, securing its reputation as a critical partner in advancing scientific discovery.

Eric Smidt is the CEO and co-founder of Harbor Freight Tools, a privately held tool and equipment retailer with over 1,200 locations across the United States. Known for his keen business acumen, Smidt transformed Harbor Freight from a small mail-order business into a retail giant. He is also a notable philanthropist, with significant contributions to education and healthcare.