Archie Aldis “Red” Emmerson is the American timber magnate and founder of Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI), the country’s largest privately held lumber and timberland company. Beginning with a single sawmill in 1949, Emmerson expanded his enterprise through strategic land acquisitions—totaling over 2.5 million acres—and vertical integration across manufacturing, millwork, and biomass energy.

Philip Knight, cofounder and longtime CEO of Nike, built one of the most powerful consumer brands in the world by blending elite athletic performance with storytelling, design, and global marketing. Starting Nike as Blue Ribbon Sports in the 1960s, Knight transformed the company into a dominant force in footwear and apparel through athlete endorsements, relentless product innovation, and international expansion. Beyond business, he has become one of the world’s largest philanthropists, donating billions to education, healthcare, and scientific research. Knight’s career stands as a case study in brand creation at global scale.