From business leaders to politicians, those in power know that it is work to get to the top and a struggle to stay there. Challenges from opponents can present themselves at any time and then there’s always the next test, the next task, the next obstacle. Cincy’s 15th annual Power 100 list recognizes those people who hold and use the most clout to benefit the region. By David Holthaus & The Editors = New to the Top Ten
Carl H. Lindner III
John Cranley
FC Cincinnati, majority owner;
city of Cincinnati, mayor
president & CEO
DAVID SORCHER
Lindner, sometimes known as “C3,” continued his family’s legacy of major contributions to the community when his ownership group secured a Major League Soccer franchise for FC Cincinnati and then broke ground on a new stadium in the heart of the city. Lindner and his fellow owners pledged to commit up to $350 million for the new stadium. As co-CEO (with his brother, Craig) of American Financial Group, Lindner runs one of the region’s largest employers and insurers, and a Fortune 500 financial services firm.
Mike Brown
John F. Barrett
Cincinnati Bengals,
Western & Southern
president & principal owner
Financial Group,
DAVID SORCHER
Although the Bengals’ onthe-field futility continued last season, Brown reached a far-reaching deal with Hamilton County officials that will affect the future of the Cincinnati riverfront and The Banks, as well as the county’s finances. Brown agreed to give up a parking lot next to the stadium so the county could build a longsought music venue. The team also agreed to end Hamilton County’s multimillion-dollar annual payments to the club and cap the county’s costs for stadium improvements. It was a new day of cooperation between the county and the club, a plus for taxpayers and another step forward for riverfront development. 44
In the first year of his second term as Cincinnati’s top elected official, Cranley continued to work to reduce child poverty, bringing together businesses, notfor-profits and government agencies to commit to longterm goals to bring down the city’s high rate of poverty. His administration won a grant worth $2.5 million from Bloomberg Philanthropies to help achieve ambitious energy-efficiency goals, significantly increased city spending with African-American owned businesses, broke ground on a new Major League Soccer stadium and championed the effort to obtain the old King Records site for restoration. DAVID SORCHER
American Financial Group, co-
F E B R UA RY/M A R C H 2 0 1 9 : : w w w.
maga zine.com
chairman, president & CEO
Nearly 30 years into his l e a d e r s h ip of We s te rn & Southern, Barrett has grown the financial services firm into a diversified Fortune 500 giant. He’s been influential in the development of downtown and Over-the-Rhine, including Queen City Square with its skyline-dominating Great American Tower. His latest project is the redevelopment of downtown’s signature Lytle Park to include a hotel and other amenities. Barrett’s influence extends into philanthropy, as he’s made a long-term commitment to expand and further cancer research in Cincinnati.