Net Worth: $1.91 B

LAST YEAR: $1.8 B
CHANGE: 2.9%
AGE: 73
RESIDENCE: Brentwood
SOURCE OF WEALTH: Technology

THE MONEY: Chernick launched software firm Candle Corp., his first venture, in 1976. Technology giant IBM acquired Candle in 2004 for $641 million. Chernick started El Segundo-based cybersecurity firm NC4 Inc. in 2002 and sold the company to Everbridge Inc. in 2019 for about $83 million in cash and stock in Everbridge. In 2004, Chernick helped create the conservative Pajamas Media company, now known as PJ Media, which was acquired by Salem Media Group in 2019.

THE BUZZ: Chernick runs a cybersecurity company called Celerium Inc. based in El Segundo, which he founded in 2019. Chernick is also the founder of the Candle Foundation, which donates to charities working in medical and social causes. He is the founder of NextGen Crowdfunding, which has helped entrepreneurs raise capital through equity crowdfunding.