Marc Rowan, cofounder and CEO of Apollo Global Management, is one of the most influential figures in alternative investing, helping build Apollo into a global powerhouse across private equity, credit, and real assets. After beginning his career at Drexel Burnham Lambert, Rowan co-launched Apollo in 1990, developing its reputation for contrarian investing, distressed opportunities, and disciplined capital allocation. As CEO, he has overseen Apollo’s evolution into a diversified asset manager with a strong emphasis on credit, insurance partnerships, and long-term yield strategies. Known for his analytical rigor and understated leadership, Rowan stands at the center of modern private markets.

Jimmy John Liautaud, founder of the Jimmy John’s sandwich empire, turned a small college-town deli he opened in 1983 with borrowed money into one of America’s largest and most recognizable fast-casual chains. Known for its simple menu, freaky-fast delivery model, and intense franchise discipline, Jimmy John’s expanded to thousands of locations nationwide before selling a majority stake to private equity giant Roark Capital. Liautaud, who stepped down as chairman after the sale, is also an active philanthropist and investor, channeling his entrepreneurial drive into charitable initiatives and new business ventures.

Jim Haslam, founder of Pilot Company, built one of America’s largest fuel, travel center, and logistics businesses from a single gas station he opened in 1958. A former University of Tennessee football standout and U.S. Army officer, Haslam expanded Pilot through disciplined operations, strategic acquisitions, and a relentless focus on serving professional drivers—laying the foundation for what would become a multibillion-dollar national network of travel centers. His leadership shaped the culture and growth of the Haslam family enterprise, while his extensive philanthropy in education, healthcare, and community initiatives established him as one of Tennessee’s most respected civic and business leaders.

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.

Donald M. “Bubba” Cathy is the younger son of Chick‑fil‑A founder S. Truett Cathy. Bubba serves as Executive Vice President of Chick‑fil‑A and leads the family’s iconic Dwarf House and Truett’s Grill concepts through STC Brands, the chain’s hospitality arm .

Dan (Daniel Truett) Cathy is the American billionaire Chairman of Chick‑fil‑A—the fast-food giant founded by his father, S. Truett Cathy. He served as CEO from 2013 to 2021, scaling annual revenues from about $5 billion to over $16 billion while expanding the chain to over 3,000 U.S. and Canadian restaurants. He remains deeply involved in the family-run WinShape Foundation.

Andrew Cherng is the Chinese–Taiwanese–American restaurateur and analytics-driven CEO behind Panda Restaurant Group—the force behind Panda Inn and the fast‑food giant Panda Express. With degrees in mathematics, he launched Panda Inn with his father in 1973, scaled Panda Express from a mall food-court concept in 1983 to over 2,000 locations, and maintains private, family-led leadership focused on innovation, philanthropy, and operational excellence.

Alex Meruelo is a Cuban-American entrepreneur and investor, known for building a diversified business empire spanning media, hospitality, gaming, real estate, and finance. As the first Latino owner of an NHL team—the Arizona Coyotes—Meruelo is a trailblazer in sports ownership and a prominent figure in the Latino business community. His portfolio includes Meruelo Media, Sahara Las Vegas, and Grand Sierra Resort, reflecting a bold, multi-sector investment strategy.

Mark Wahlberg is a versatile and influential figure in Hollywood known for his successful acting career, entrepreneurial ventures, and philanthropy. With a background in music, acting, and business, he has carved out a significant place for himself in the entertainment industry and beyond.