This week’s Business Journal is anchored by the LA 500, a directory of leading lights in the community of business in Los Angeles County.
LA 500 is an annual effort that takes a different tack on a yearly basis. It’s a long view intended to recognize the enormous scope and impressive diversity of the local enterprises and industries we cover.
You’ll notice some familiar categories and perennial entries among the brief profiles on this year’s list. Core sectors of the economy – entertainment, real estate, hospitality and finance, for example – are represented with sections of their own. Certain individuals who have either carved their own place in the life of the city – such as David Geffen – will be found in the special report, which starts on page 17. So will others who merit inclusion based on the institutions they represent – think of Mayor Eric Garcetti, or the leaders of any prominent colleges or universities in this market, as examples.
This year’s entries are spread over 15 categories, up from 11 last year. The increase reflects an attempt to better define Los Angeles as a market.
Not all of last year’s categories have been carried over – we’ve foregone a section on nonprofits, opting to let the notations of the philanthropic contributions of so many members of the list shed light on that aspect of the community of business here. We also cut back on the public sector and business advocacy groups, choosing instead for a focus on cultural and commercial influencers of all stripes – part of the annual effort to refresh this perspective.
LA 500 is not offered as a definitive inventory of influence. Not all of the entries from last year are included, for various reasons. Some have moved on to new roles in new markets. Others were part of categories that yielded to make room for other sectors of the local scene. And some individuals have passed on, including L.A. Times food critic Jonathan Gold, whose death came near press time, prompting a decision to keep him on the list as a nod to his legacy.
It won’t be long until we turn our attention to next year’s LA 500.
Please feel free to forward any suggestions for ideas to Business Journal staff, using the contact information provided for members of the editorial department on the masthead on page 153 of this issue.
– Jerry Sullivan, Editor; Alison A. Nieder, Managing Editor for Digital
and Signature Publications
