If you ask local business people which chief executives they admire most, you may discover that the same names keep popping up.

That’s what happened when reporters and editors of the Business Journal asked news sources in Los Angeles County for their choices for the top chiefs. Some executives are recognized – and widely so – not only for their accomplishments, but for their manner, vision and impact beyond their organization.

From that short list of admired CEOs, the journalists made final selections in eight categories: big and small public companies, big and small private companies, small businesses, professional corporations, non-profits and business organizations.

The chief executives were honored Oct. 7 at the Business Journal’s annual CEO Forum, held at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. What follows are short profiles of each of our eight honorees – their backgrounds, their philosophies and the reasons why their names kept popping up as the most admired CEOs in Los Angeles.