Thomas Barrack Jr. is the U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye and the Special Envoy for Syria in the second Trump administration, where he serves as a pivotal figure in Middle Eastern diplomacy. A veteran private equity investor and the founder of Colony Capital (now DigitalBridge), Barrack has leveraged his decades of experience in the region to broker historic regional agreements. In early 2026, he played a lead role in integrating the Syrian government into the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and oversaw major infrastructure MoUs, including a milestone gas exploration agreement between Syria and Chevron. His current diplomatic portfolio emphasizes regional security through "shared responsibility," successfully managing the complex transition of territory between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the central government in Damascus.

Stefan Soloviev is the chairman of the Soloviev Group, a vast conglomerate that encompasses real estate, agriculture, and transportation. After inheriting the legendary New York City real estate portfolio of his father, Sheldon Solow, Soloviev has significantly diversified the family’s holdings, becoming one of the largest landowners in the United States. His agricultural arm, Crossroads Agriculture, operates millions of acres of farmland and ranchland across the Great Plains, while his investments in the Colorado Pacific Railroad have revitalized critical freight infrastructure. Soloviev’s leadership is defined by a bold, hands-on approach to land stewardship and a strategic expansion into renewable energy and large-scale urban development.

Scott Cook, cofounder of Intuit, helped build one of the most influential financial software companies in the world by simplifying accounting, taxes, and personal finance for consumers and small businesses. Launching Intuit in 1983 with Quicken and later TurboTax and QuickBooks, Cook championed a customer-driven innovation model that turned the company into a dominant fintech platform. He served as CEO and later executive chairman, shaping Intuit’s long-term strategy and culture while guiding its expansion into cloud-based financial tools. Cook is also a major philanthropist focused on education reform and civic innovation.

Ralph Lauren, founder of Ralph Lauren Corporation, built one of the most iconic luxury lifestyle brands in the world by transforming American style into a global symbol of aspiration. Starting with a single line of neckties in the late 1960s, he created a brand universe spanning fashion, fragrance, home, and hospitality—anchored by timeless design, storytelling, and impeccable merchandising. Through decades of disciplined brand control and cultural influence, Lauren turned his name into a multibillion-dollar global empire and remains a defining figure in modern fashion and brand building.

Paul Fireman, founder and longtime CEO of Reebok International, built one of the most recognizable athletic footwear and apparel brands by fusing performance design with global marketing. After acquiring the fledgling company in the late 1970s, Fireman drove Reebok’s explosive growth in the 1980s through aerobics, celebrity endorsements, and international expansion, turning it into a dominant force in sportswear. He later sold Reebok to Adidas in a multibillion-dollar deal and went on to invest in real estate, hospitality, and philanthropy, extending his influence beyond consumer brands.

Lee Bass, heir to the Bass family fortune of Fort Worth, has maintained and expanded one of America’s most influential private family investment enterprises. A grandson of legendary oilman Sid Richardson, Bass built on his family’s wealth through disciplined investments in energy, real estate, and private equity, while keeping a deliberately low public profile. Beyond business, he is a major philanthropist and conservationist, supporting education, wildlife preservation, and cultural institutions across Texas. His combination of quiet stewardship, long-term capital management, and community commitment has made him a respected figure in Texas business and family enterprise.

Kelcy Warren, cofounder and executive chairman of Energy Transfer, built one of North America’s largest pipeline and midstream energy networks through aggressive dealmaking, operational scale, and a deep understanding of U.S. oil and gas logistics. Since launching Energy Transfer in 1996, he has overseen a sweeping expansion across natural gas, crude, and NGL infrastructure, including the development of high-profile projects such as the Dakota Access Pipeline. A self-made billionaire from modest Texas roots, Warren combines engineering discipline with bold acquisitive strategy, while remaining an active philanthropist in education, parks, and music—most notably founding the Texas music venue and nonprofit, Klyde Warren Park in Dallas.

John Goff, billionaire investor and founder of Crescent Real Estate and Goff Capital, built one of the most successful real estate and private investment enterprises in Texas. After joining the fledgling Crescent Realty Trust in the early 1990s, he helped grow it into a multibillion-dollar office and mixed-use portfolio, later engineering its sale to Morgan Stanley and reacquiring major assets during the financial crisis at steep discounts. Through Goff Capital, he has expanded into hospitality, aviation, and energy, while backing high-growth ventures and serving as chairman of luxury travel company Omni Hotels & Resorts. Known for contrarian timing, discipline, and opportunistic dealmaking, Goff remains a defining figure in modern Texas business and real estate.

Hansjörg Wyss, Swiss billionaire and philanthropist, built his fortune through medical device maker Synthes, which he sold to Johnson & Johnson for nearly $20 billion in 2012. An engineer by training, Wyss expanded Synthes into a global leader in orthopedic implants before turning his focus to large-scale philanthropy. Through the Wyss Foundation, he has committed billions to environmental conservation, scientific research, and public interest journalism, becoming one of the world’s most influential advocates for protecting wild lands and advancing sustainable solutions.

Gerald J. Ford, Texas billionaire banker and investor, built his fortune by acquiring, restructuring, and selling struggling financial institutions. Starting in the 1970s, he earned a reputation as a savvy dealmaker, most notably with the turnaround and sale of First United Bankshares and Golden State Bancorp. Through his private equity firm Hilltop Holdings, Ford has remained an active force in banking, insurance, and real estate, combining sharp financial instincts with a long-term investment outlook. A noted philanthropist, he is also a major benefactor of Southern Methodist University.

George Bishop, founder of GeoSouthern Energy, built his fortune in oil and gas by focusing on shale plays and unconventional drilling. Starting his career in the energy sector in the 1980s, he grew GeoSouthern into a major player in the Eagle Ford Shale of Texas before selling a large stake to Devon Energy for $6 billion in 2013. Known for his low profile and disciplined approach, Bishop has since diversified into other energy ventures and real estate, establishing himself as one of America’s quietest self-made billionaires.

Gary Rollins, vice chairman and CEO of Rollins Inc., has overseen the transformation of the family’s pest control business into a global industry leader. Best known for its flagship brand Orkin, Rollins Inc. operates in more than 70 countries, providing residential and commercial pest management services. A member of one of America’s wealthiest families, Rollins has maintained steady growth through acquisitions, operational efficiency, and a focus on customer service, cementing the company’s dominance in a competitive market.