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.

Geoffrey H. Palmer, founder of G.H. Palmer Associates, is one of Los Angeles’s largest apartment developers, with more than 13,000 units across the metro. He stamped downtown with Italianate mega-complexes like the Medici, Orsini, Piero, Da Vinci, and Lorenzo, and reshaped policy with the 2009 appellate win Palmer v. City of Los Angeles, which limited rental inclusionary mandates under California’s Costa-Hawkins Act. A prolific Republican donor, he remains a powerful—if polarizing—force in L.A. real estate.

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.

Frank Fertitta III, chairman and CEO of Station Casinos, transformed a family business into a Las Vegas gaming powerhouse catering to local residents. Alongside his brother Lorenzo, he acquired the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2001 for $2 million, steering its growth into a global sports phenomenon before selling to Endeavor in 2016 for $4 billion. With substantial holdings in real estate, hospitality, and gaming, Fertitta’s career blends bold deal-making with a deep understanding of Nevada’s entertainment landscape, securing his place among America’s most influential casino magnates.

Drayton McLane Jr. is a self-made billionaire business magnate and philanthropist best known for building the McLane Company into a nationwide grocery and logistics powerhouse—growing revenue from $3 million to $19 billion—and later selling it to Walmart in 1990. He served as vice-chairman of Walmart while expanding The McLane Group, a family-owned holding company investing globally. He also owned and led the Houston Astros from 1993 to 2011 as chairman and CEO, becoming the first Texas team to reach the World Series under his tenure.

Douglas Leone is a billionaire venture capitalist and former Global Managing Partner at Sequoia Capital. Recruited in 1988, he rose to partner in 1993 and later led Sequoia’s international expansion across China, India, and Southeast Asia. Under his stewardship, Sequoia backed major tech wins including ServiceNow, RingCentral, Medallia, Nubank, and YouTube.

David A. Duffield is an American enterprise software pioneer. He co-founded PeopleSoft in 1987 and in 2005 co-founded Workday—both revolutionized HR and financial management systems. He later founded Ridgeline Apps, serving investment managers. At age 84, he’s also a philanthropist behind Maddie’s Fund and the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, with gifts exceeding $450 million.  

Daniel Snyder is the American entrepreneur who founded Snyder Communications and later owned the Washington Commanders (NFL) from 1999 to 2023. He purchased the team for $800 million and controversially sold it for a record $6.05 billion amid investigations, fan backlash, and workplace misconduct scandals that ultimately led to his forced exit. He now resides in London and remains a polarizing sports legacy figure

Charles Simonyi is a Hungarian‑American software pioneer, former Microsoft distinguished engineer, and space tourist. He architected the first versions of Microsoft Word and Excel, co-founded Intentional Software, and became the only private citizen to fund and complete two separate missions to the International Space Station—logging over 26 days in orbit. His tech and philanthropic impact includes endowed science professorships and arts funding at top institutions.

Carl Icahn is the legendary activist investor and founder of Icahn Enterprises, the diversified conglomerate he controls with an 86% stake. Born in Brooklyn in 1936, he helped pioneer shareholder activism as a high-stakes corporate raider—targeting companies like Trans World Airlines and Time Warner—then transitioned into long-term value investing. His bet on CVR Energy has since become the financial backbone of Icahn Enterprises amid broader portfolio volatility.

Arturo “Arte” Moreno is the first Mexican‑American to own a major U.S. sports franchise after purchasing the Anaheim Angels in 2003. A self‑made billionaire, he built his fortune in billboard advertising—expanding Outdoor Systems into an $8 billion sale—then transformed the Angels into a $2.7 billion-plus franchise. His leadership spans sports, media and community investment.

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.

Anthony Pratt is the Australian‑born billionaire and executive chairman of Visy Industries and Pratt Industries USA—collectively the world’s largest privately owned paper, packaging, and recycling firm. Under his leadership, the company has expanded to over 70 U.S. factories and pledged a $5 billion investment to create 5,000 American manufacturing jobs, aligning business growth with sustainability and global impact.