Success is not easily defined by those who continually evolve past the expectations of their posts. These individuals regularly wrestle with the status quo and manage challenges through a uniquely creative prism. Not only do they do great work but their ability enhances, encourages, transforms, and reinvigorates the playing field. In music, sports, publishing, politics, and finance, these eight inspire confidence and good faith, win races and elections, as well as protect and entertain. But what distinguishes them from their peers is their pure domination of their respective spaces.
The Money Maker
Larry Felix, Director of U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing
As stock market prices remain unstable and the economy sits precariously in the balance, cash is king. And Felix is the man overseeing the design and manufacturing of it in the U.S. He’s charged with overseeing the operations of the Bureau in the production of U.S. currency and other government securities and documents. He’s also responsible for the printing of 38 million notes a day with a face value of approximately $750 million. In the two years since attaining the directorship, the new $10 and $5 bills have been redesigned maintaining the integrity of U.S. paper currency. Under Felix, work continues on the redesign of the $100 bill and the development of special security details to thwart counterfeiters. Felix also manages the government office devoted to refunding damaged money–$38 million was refunded in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30. The Bureau, an agency of the Department of the Treasury with facilities in Washington, D.C. and Fort Worth, Texas, employs 2,000 people. Originally from Port of Spain, Trinidad, Felix was raised in Brooklyn, New York, and came to the Bureau from the United States Savings Bond Division in 1992. He has held a variety of positions in the Bureau since, including manager of marketing, chief of external relations, associate director for technology, and deputy director. During his service as deputy director he increased the frequency at which currency is redesigned and instituted training pro-grams to enable staff to respond more quickly to marketplace threats against the nation’s currency. Today, the Bureau employees managed by Felix include scientists, engineers, and specialty printers.
The Enforcer
Ronald K. Noble, Secretary General of INTERPOL
Noble is the first American to serve as Secretary General for INTERPOL, the world’s largest international police organization serving 187 countries. Since being unanimously reelected to a second five-year term in 2005, Noble directed INTERPOL’s launch of the world’s first global database of stolen and lost travel credentials. The database contains more than 15 million travel documents from more than 120 countries. This past summer, INTERPOL assisted the Chinese government with security preparations for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing by supplying a support team. INTERPOL’s passport and visa application screening process was used to identify stolen, lost, and fraudulent travel documents, as well as suspected terrorists and dangerous criminals during the games.
Between 2000 and 2007, Noble has presided over a 50% budget increase,