Chief Executive and Chairman, Skechers USA Inc.

Before Skechers started selling women’s sneakers in 1996, the company, founded in 1992, was a distributor of Dr. Martens boots. Today its international footprint includes about 3,900 stores, with the majority owned and operated by the international distribution partners and a network of franchisees. Greenberg, who co-founded Skechers with his son, Michael, has served as chief executive since 1993. He started L.A. Gear Inc. in 1983, which reached $902 million in sales, but was rejected by investors in 1992 when sales weakened. Greenberg led the Manhattan Beach-based footwear and apparel manufacturer’s full-year revenue to $6.28 billion last year, a 37% increase compared to the year before and a new record.

YEARS ON THE LA500: 4