The Merchant
Ed Rosenfeld, 35 chairman and CEO, Steven Madden
Stepping into the top spot at the footwear maker in 2008, the former banker boosted margins, expanded into new categories, and has grown sales and profits every quarter since, despite a consumer spending slump. Photographed at Madden headquarters in Long Island City, N.Y.
In his own words: "I got tired of the banking thing. I sort of had this long-standing interest in working for a company that, as my dad would say, actually does something."
NEXT: The Global Web Empire Builder
Last updated October 14 2010: 6:16 AM ET
