By
David
Holthaus
&
Th e
Ed i t o r s
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 there’s always the next test, the next task, the next obstacle. Cincy’s 16th annual Power 100 list recognizes those people who hold and use the most clout to benefit the region. = New to the Top Ten = New to this year’s list
1
John Cranley mayor, City of Cincinnati
With John Cranley entering the penultimate year of his second term as Cincinnati’s mayor, speculation is certain to intensify about his political future. If he does seek a higher office, he’ll certainly tout the redevelopment of The Banks, downtown and Over-theRhine, developments that he has called “the Cincinnati miracle.” Cranley has also presided over a rise in population in the city after years of population declines and stagnation. In the year ahead, he is expected to continue championing the community’s anti-poverty efforts, including his Hand-Up Initiative and the Cincinnati Poverty Collaborative.
3John Barrett
president, chairman & CEO,
Western & Southern Financial Group
In addition to leading Western & Southern, Barrett continues to be very active in downtown development and in the broader business and nonprofit communities. A new hotel proposed by Western & Southern, The Lytle Park Hotel, is scheduled to open this year. Barrett is also spearheading a $105 million fundraising campaign to help the University of Cincinnati’s Barrett Cancer Center and other members of the Cincinnati Cancer Consortium pursue National Cancer Institute designation for cancer research excellence. His company reported record profit last year while an acquisition pushed its assets owned over the $50 billion mark for the first time.
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2Bob Castellini
principal owner & CEO,
Cincinnati Reds; chairman, Castellini Co.
Since 2006, a group of people led by Bob Castellini has controlled one of Cincinnati’s icons, the Cincinnati Reds. After a disappointing season in 2019, Castellini and the Reds had an active off-season, acquiring the club’s first Japanese-born player and shelling out big payroll for free agents. Castellini’s influence extends far beyond the Reds, as he has been instrumental in the development of The Banks and the broader Cincinnati riverfront. He chairs the Joint Banks Steering Committee and is on the board of the Cincinnati Center City Development Committee (3CDC).
4 Carl Lindner III
majority owner, FC Cincinnati;
co-president & Co-CEO, American
Financial Group
Carl Lindner III is the co-CEO of one of Cincinnati’s largest companies, $7 billion financial services giant American Financial Group. But these days, he is best known for bringing professional soccer to Cincinnati. In just a few years, FC Cincinnati has earned an invitation to join the big leagues and a new home for the team is rising in the West End, a stadium funded predominantly by Lindner and the other club owners. Over the last year, Lindner has attracted new investors to the team, including former eBay CEO Meg Whitman.
maga zine.com
1/21/20 8:13 AM