Founder and Chief Executive, Caruso

Caruso, currently running for mayor, is best known as the founder of his eponymous company that is behind some of the best-known retail centers in the country including The Grove, Palisades Village and The Americana at Brand. A few years back, Caruso opened his first hotel, the Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort. The company has achieved annual growth of nearly 20% since its inception. Caruso started his real estate career as a lawyer before establishing Caruso Affiliated in 1987. He also serves as chairman of the board of trustees at USC among other affiliations. He and his wife, Tina, founded the Caruso Family Foundation in 1991 to help at-risk children.

YEARS ON THE LA500: 7