December 15

Charles Edgar Duryea was born in 1861 in Illinois and studied engineering at the University of Illinois. In 1893, he and his brother built the first successful American gasoline-powered automobile and won the country's first road race. Later that year they formed the Duryea Motor Wagon Company, the first firm in the U.S. dedicated to manufacturing automobiles commercially. Duryea’s designs featured innovations such as a spray carburetor and a detachable touring car body. He oversaw early production and worked to improve engine reliability and comfort. His efforts laid the groundwork for the burgeoning automotive industry in America. Duryea died in 1938, remembered as a key figure in the birth of the U.S. automobile.

Arthur Dehon Little was born in 1863 in Boston and earned his Ph.D. in chemistry from MIT. He began his career studying cellulose and paper manufacturing processes, earning recognition for his experimental work. In 1909 he co-founded the consulting firm Arthur D. Little, Inc., which pioneered scientific management and industrial research services. Under his leadership the firm expanded globally, advising major corporations on chemical engineering and process optimization. Little also lectured at MIT and published influential papers on industrial chemistry. His vision helped establish the discipline of management consulting and shaped modern corporate research and development. Little passed away in 1935, leaving a legacy of innovation at the intersection of science and industry.

Born in 1892, J. Paul Getty inherited his family's oil business and transformed it into a global enterprise. He strategically expanded Getty Oil through mergers and acquisitions, making it a major industry player. Getty was an avid art collector, assembling a vast collection of European paintings and sculptures. He established the J. Paul Getty Museum and Foundation to share his collection with the public. His business acumen and philanthropic initiatives created one of the world's largest art endowments. Getty died in 1976, and his legacy endures through the Getty Trust's support of arts and scholarship.

Roger Gaudry (1913-2001) was a Canadian chemist and academic leader who made significant contributions to organic chemistry research. He earned his doctorate in chemistry and embarked on a distinguished career at the Université de Montréal, where he served as a professor and later as rector. Under his leadership, the university expanded its research programs and facilities. After his academic tenure, Gaudry transitioned to the private sector, holding executive roles in Canadian industry. He was recognized for bridging scientific research and business management, leaving a legacy of innovation and leadership.

Mark Warner is an American entrepreneur and Democratic statesman. He co-founded the telecom company Nextel and built its national network before selling to Sprint. Warner served as the 69th Governor of Virginia from 2002 to 2006, focusing on education and the economy. He has held office as a U.S. Senator since 2009, chairing the Senate Intelligence Committee. A graduate of George Washington University and Harvard Business School, he combines business and policy expertise. Warner is noted for his bipartisan approach and efforts to reform campaign finance. He continues to advocate for technology innovation, fiscal responsibility, and government transparency. His leadership bridges the private sector and public service.

Sir Hector Sants is a British banking executive and regulatory leader. He served as Chief Executive of the Financial Services Authority from 2010 to 2013. Previously, he held senior roles at Barclays and ABN AMRO, focusing on risk management. After the FSA, he chaired the International Regulatory Strategy Group, advising on global finance. Sants has been a Non-Executive Director of the London Stock Exchange and other institutions. He is recognized for guiding U.K. banking reforms following the global financial crisis. Knighted in 2013 for services to financial services regulation and economic stability. Sants lectures and publishes on banking governance, oversight, and regulatory best practices.