March 01

Henri de Baillet-Latour was born in Brussels in 1876 and established himself in the Belgian business world. In 1925, he was elected as the third President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), a position he held until his death in 1942. Under his leadership, the Olympic movement expanded internationally and gained official recognition from various national governments. He oversaw the controversial 1936 Berlin Games and navigated complex politics during the interwar period. Despite criticism for his stance on political neutrality, he remained committed to the ideals of Olympism. His tenure shaped the modern structure of the IOC and cemented his legacy in sports administration.

Ralph Hitz was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1891 and emigrated to the United States, where he revolutionized hotel management. As founder of the National Hotel Management Company, he oversaw famous properties like New York’s Hotel New Yorker. Hitz introduced personalized guest experiences, including written welcome letters, detailed preferences, and themed entertainment. During the Great Depression, he maintained high occupancy rates through creative marketing and customer care. He also organized charity events and travel services, elevating the role of hoteliers in society. Hitz’s strategies laid the groundwork for contemporary hospitality standards and influenced hotel operations worldwide.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Gaines took over EC Comics from his father in the early 1950s. Under his leadership, EC produced groundbreaking horror, science fiction, and satire titles that pushed the boundaries of the medium. In 1952, he and Harvey Kurtzman launched Mad magazine, which became a cornerstone of American satire. Gaines famously battled censorship efforts during the Comics Code era to preserve creative freedom. His contributions reshaped popular culture and influenced countless cartoonists and satirists.

Pete Rozelle was a transformative sports executive who guided the National Football League through an era of unprecedented growth. Appointed as commissioner in 1960 at age 33, he negotiated landmark television contracts, oversaw league expansion, and launched the Super Bowl. Under his leadership, the NFL became a dominant force in American sports and popular culture. Rozelle's vision and marketing innovations set the standard for modern professional sports management.

Gil Amelio is an American business leader who served as CEO of Apple Inc. from 1996 to 1997. He orchestrated the acquisition of NeXT, bringing Steve Jobs back and laying groundwork for macOS. Prior to Apple, Amelio held executive roles at National Semiconductor and Rockwell Semiconductor. During his brief tenure, he streamlined product lines and aimed to improve the company's financial health. Though his time at Apple was short, his decisions were instrumental in shaping the company's revival.

Janice Burgess was an American television executive, screenwriter, and producer born in 1952. She joined Nickelodeon in the 1990s, serving as a story editor on 'Blue's Clues.' Burgess created and developed the animated preschool series 'The Backyardigans,' which premiered in 2004. Her work earned multiple Daytime Emmy nominations and praise for its musical and educational content. She championed quality children's programming and mentored emerging writers in the industry. Burgess passed away in 2024, leaving a lasting legacy in children's television entertainment.