Hot List ’05


made its television debut in November on Cartoon Network’s late-night Adult Swim. The network has commissioned 15 episodes, with McGruder serving as executive producer. He calls the shots in terms of writers, artists, and actors. The series features a celebrity cast, including Regina King and John Witherspoon. Rebel Base and Hudlin Entertainment are producing the show in association with Sony Pictures Television. AGE: 31

JAMES MASON & WENDELL MCCAIN, Managing Partners PARISH CAPITAL
Why they’re hot: In just two years, James Mason and Wendell McCain have raised $420 million and closed the first private equity fund at Parish Capital, their Durham, North Carolina-based firm. “Our partners are a combination of endowments, pension funds, institutions, and a super high net worth family office,” says Mason. The largest portion of Parish Capital’s portfolio represents investments in other private equity and venture capital funds such as Ascend Ventures, which has about $120 million in capital under management. About 15% of Parish’s investments are made directly to companies around the world. The dynamic duo is currently seeking opportunities in Europe. AGE: 36 & 35

ANNA-MARIA MCGOWAN, Aerospace Engineer NASA LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER
Why she’s hot: At 12, Anna-Maria McGowan was intrigued with airplanes. Today, the aerospace engineer designs and tests cutting-edge technologies for aircrafts. McGowan, a project manager in the aeronautics program at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, directs a $10 million-plus project, part of NASA’s strategy for the future of flight. She works with diverse groups, including the Department of Defense and major universities. Her team works on futuristic technologies, like wings that change shape on command, and is a leader on smart, biometric applications for aerospace vehicles. “It’s not a far stretch to say we’re working on Buck- Rogers-like technologies.” AGE: 36

ANDREA NELSON MEIGS, Motion Picture Talent Agent CREATIVE ARTISTS AGENCY
Why she’s hot: Andrea Nelson Meigs worked her way up to talent agent extraordinaire from mailroom clerk, and she had a law degree from Duke University School of Law when she got the job. So why did she start in the mailroom? Because Nelson Meigs was smart enough to know she had to get her foot in the door any way she could. Today, the power player has a roster of A-list clients, including Jamie Foxx; Jon Voight; and Overbrook Entertainment, Will Smith’s production company. A returnee to our Hot List, she was instrumental in helping Beyoncé Knowles grab one of the title roles in the upcoming movie adaptation of the hit Broadway play Dreamgirls. AGE: 37

SCOTT MILLS Executive Vice President & CFO BLACK ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION
Why he’s hot: Scott Mills is not just a numbers man. “Scott serves as the voice of reason, and the arbiter of fiscal responsibility and overall business development across our BET brands,” says BET President and CEO Debra Lee. In addition to managing the finances, Mills is also directly responsible for expanding the BET platform. In 2005, Mills structured a multimillion-dollar sale of BET’s book publishing business to Harlequin Enterprises Ltd. He structured the deal that allows BET


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