James Goodnight, cofounder and longtime CEO of SAS Institute, built one of the world’s largest privately held software companies by pioneering advanced analytics long before “data science” became a global discipline. Since 1976, he has led SAS with a distinctive focus on research, long-term product development, and a famously employee-centric culture that consistently ranks among the best workplaces in America. Under his guidance, SAS grew into a multibillion-dollar enterprise whose software powers decision-making for governments, corporations, and institutions worldwide, earning Goodnight recognition as a visionary architect of the modern analytics industry.

James “Jim” France, chairman and CEO of NASCAR, is a central figure in American motorsports and a key steward of the France family racing empire. The younger son of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., he helped expand the organization’s commercial footprint through decades of leadership roles, including as co-founder of the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). Taking the helm of NASCAR in 2018, France has overseen major media deals, modernization efforts, and renewed focus on long-term growth, solidifying his reputation as a steady, influential force guiding the future of professional stock car racing.

James Duff, co-owner of Duff Capital Investors, has built one of America’s largest family-owned business empires, anchored by Southern Tire Mart—the nation’s biggest commercial tire dealer and retreader. Together with his brother Thomas, Duff expanded the Mississippi-based company through disciplined operations, relentless customer service, and strategic acquisitions, turning it into an industry powerhouse serving fleets nationwide. Beyond Southern Tire Mart, the Duffs oversee a diversified portfolio spanning transportation, construction, hospitality, and agriculture, establishing James Duff as one of the most influential private business leaders in the American South.

James Dolan, executive chairman and CEO of Madison Square Garden Sports and Madison Square Garden Entertainment, oversees one of the most powerful portfolios in sports and live entertainment. As owner of the New York Knicks and New York Rangers, he has long been a central—often controversial—figure in the world of professional sports. Dolan has expanded his influence through major investments in venues and technology, including the groundbreaking MSG Sphere in Las Vegas, redefining immersive entertainment. Known for his aggressive business style and high-profile presence, he remains one of the most influential and polarizing executives in the sports and entertainment industries.

Jim Davis, cofounder and chairman of Allegis Group, built a small basement startup called Aerotek into the largest staffing firm in the United States. Launching the business in 1983 with his cousin Steve Bisciotti to supply technical talent to the aerospace and defense industries, he steadily broadened it into a global staffing and workforce solutions powerhouse with multiple specialist brands and billions in annual revenue. Known for a low-profile, relationship-driven approach, Davis has turned Allegis into a dominant private company at the center of how corporations source and manage talent worldwide.

Jim Crane, billionaire businessman and owner of the Houston Astros, built his fortune through logistics and freight services before becoming one of Major League Baseball’s most successful franchise owners. After founding Eagle Global Logistics and later Crane Worldwide Logistics, he acquired the Astros in 2011 and transformed the team into a championship organization, winning the World Series in 2017 and 2022. Known for his disciplined leadership, data-driven decision-making, and deep involvement in Houston’s business and philanthropic community, Crane has become a defining figure in both sports and global logistics.

James Coulter, cofounder and executive chairman of TPG, is one of the most influential figures in global private equity. Since launching the firm in 1992 with David Bonderman, he has helped build TPG into a diversified investment powerhouse with hundreds of billions in assets under management across buyouts, growth equity, impact investing, real estate, and credit. Known for his strategic vision and early bets on sectors from airlines to healthcare and technology, Coulter has shaped modern private equity while championing initiatives such as TPG Rise, one of the largest impact investment platforms in the world.

James Clark, pioneering computer scientist and serial entrepreneur, has founded some of Silicon Valley’s most transformative companies. As cofounder of Silicon Graphics, Netscape, and Healtheon, Clark played a pivotal role in shaping modern computing, the internet, and digital health. His early vision helped usher in the dot-com era, with Netscape’s 1995 IPO marking a defining moment in tech history. Beyond business, Clark has devoted much of his wealth to scientific research, education, and ocean conservation, establishing himself as both an innovator and philanthropist at the intersection of technology and progress.

James Y. Chao, co-founder and chairman of Westlake Corporation, has built the Houston-based chemicals and materials company into a global industrial leader. Since establishing Westlake in 1986, he has overseen its growth into a multibillion-dollar enterprise producing petrochemicals, polymers, and building products with operations across North America, Europe, and Asia. Known for his strategic discipline and long-term vision, Chao has guided the company’s expansion through innovation, acquisitions, and a strong family-led culture, making Westlake a cornerstone of the global chemicals and construction materials industry.

Jim Chanos, legendary short-seller and founder of Kynikos Associates, built his reputation as one of Wall Street’s most prominent contrarian investors. Best known for uncovering the Enron scandal by shorting the company before its collapse, Chanos has spent decades analyzing corporate fraud, overvaluation, and financial misrepresentation. His disciplined skepticism and forensic approach to investing have made him a key voice on market bubbles and corporate governance. Beyond finance, Chanos is an active philanthropist supporting education, economic research, and public policy initiatives.

James Chambers, co-owner of Cox Enterprises, represents the fourth generation of the Cox family overseeing one of America’s largest privately held conglomerates. Founded in 1898, Cox Enterprises has expanded into communications, automotive, and media, with multibillion-dollar divisions including Cox Communications and Cox Automotive. As part of the family’s leadership, Chambers focuses on sustainability, innovation, and philanthropy, helping guide the company’s transition toward cleaner technologies and long-term social impact while maintaining its legacy of family stewardship and business excellence.

James Breyer, founder and CEO of Breyer Capital, is one of the most successful venture capitalists of his generation, known for early investments in transformative technology companies. As a former partner at Accel Partners, he led the firm’s landmark investment in Facebook, which became one of the most profitable bets in venture history. Through Breyer Capital, he continues to back leading innovators in artificial intelligence, media, and healthcare. With deep ties to both Silicon Valley and China, Breyer has built a global reputation as a visionary investor bridging technology, policy, and capital.

Jahm Najafi, Iranian-American investor and philanthropist, is the founder and CEO of The Najafi Companies, a private equity firm specializing in consumer, media, sports, and technology investments. Based in Phoenix, he has built a reputation for long-term, values-driven investing, with notable stakes in ventures such as the Phoenix Suns, McLaren Racing, and other high-profile brands. Najafi also serves as vice chairman of the Phoenix Suns and is recognized for his thoughtful leadership style, combining strategic acumen with a strong commitment to social impact and community development.

Jack Schuler, veteran healthcare executive and investor, is best known for his leadership at Abbott Laboratories and Stericycle, where he helped build two of America’s most successful healthcare companies. After serving as president and COO of Abbott, he became CEO of Stericycle, transforming it into a multibillion-dollar medical waste management leader. Later, through his investment firm, he backed numerous biotech and medical device startups, shaping the future of healthcare innovation. A noted philanthropist, Schuler has also supported education and healthcare initiatives through the Schuler Education Foundation.

Jack Dorsey, tech entrepreneur and cofounder of Twitter and Block (formerly Square), has been a defining figure in the evolution of social media and digital finance. As Twitter’s cofounder and longtime CEO, he helped shape modern online communication, while at Block he revolutionized mobile payments and financial inclusion through technology. Known for his minimalist leadership style and focus on decentralization, Dorsey has increasingly turned his attention to Bitcoin and blockchain innovation, positioning himself at the intersection of technology, finance, and social change.

Jack Dangermond, founder and president of Esri, is a pioneering figure in geographic information systems (GIS) and digital mapping technology. Since founding the company in 1969 with his wife, Laura, he has transformed Esri into the global leader in GIS software, used by governments, businesses, and researchers in more than 100 countries. A landscape architect by training, Dangermond has combined environmental vision with technological innovation to help organizations make data-driven decisions about land use, sustainability, and urban planning. A dedicated philanthropist, he has donated hundreds of millions to environmental conservation and education.

J. Hyatt Brown, chairman and former CEO of Brown & Brown Insurance, built the company into one of the largest independent insurance brokerages in the United States. Taking over the family business in the late 1960s, he led decades of steady expansion through strategic acquisitions, operational discipline, and a focus on client relationships. Under his leadership, Brown & Brown became a multibillion-dollar enterprise serving customers across all 50 states. A prominent philanthropist and civic leader, Brown has also made significant contributions to education, healthcare, and community development in Florida.

Glenn Saldanha, chairman and managing director of Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, has guided the India-based company into a global player in generics, specialty medicines, and innovative drug discovery. Since taking leadership in 2001, he has expanded Glenmark’s presence to over 80 countries, strengthened its R&D capabilities, and advanced its pipeline in oncology, dermatology, and respiratory therapies. With a blend of entrepreneurial drive and scientific focus, Saldanha has positioned Glenmark as a respected name in the international pharmaceutical industry while continuing his family’s legacy in healthcare.

Israel Englander, billionaire hedge fund manager, is the founder and CEO of Millennium Management, one of the world’s largest and most successful multi-strategy hedge funds. Launching the firm in 1989 with $35 million, he has grown Millennium into a powerhouse managing more than $50 billion in assets, employing a decentralized model with hundreds of portfolio managers. Known for his risk management discipline and ability to adapt to shifting markets, Englander has built a reputation as one of the most influential figures in modern hedge fund investing.

Isaac Larian, founder and CEO of MGA Entertainment, built one of the world’s largest privately held toy companies, best known for creating the global hit Bratz dolls and, more recently, the L.O.L. Surprise! franchise. An Iranian-born immigrant, Larian started with a small import business before transforming it into a multibillion-dollar toy empire that competes with industry giants like Mattel and Hasbro. Known for his bold marketing strategies and willingness to take creative risks, he has made MGA a dominant force in the global toy market while also engaging in philanthropy and outspoken advocacy on industry issues.