As we unveil this year’s cover and related cover stories, we can’t help but notice a theme of both strength and revitalization: strength in the market bouncing back from a health crisis and strength in the way  Angelenos have come together. We see revitalization of the city of Inglewood in a way that will shine a light on our region as it soon plays host to football’s biggest, brightest and most impactful event — the Super Bowl. Our front cover subjects represent decades of persistence, planning and progress, all in a never-ending effort to better our communities.
 
As you read this special edition, you’ll notice that the trends of strength and revitalization repeat on each list in each section. If 2020 was a year in which companies had to do things like “pivot” and “reinvent” themselves, then 2021 was a year when leaders expanded from survival mode into innovative growth.

The companies that have earned their way onto The Lists continue to demonstrate leadership and success throughout their industries. From electric vehicle manufacturers, space rocket missions and technology giants to infrastructure, health care and social services providers, each company that has made this year’s edition has reason to be proud of the work, cultures, and products and services they’ve created.

It has been a privilege, again, to tell the stories of the businesses that have excelled and emerged at the top of their fields in 2021. Thank you to interim Editor Stephanie Barbaran, who led our team of outstanding reporters that continues to produce award-winning journalism.

Assembling this collection of lists is a yearlong effort that involves working with hundreds of businesses, government agencies and local associations, along with exhaustive due diligence and data analysis. Thank you to our research director, Joshua Niv, for the countless hours and attention to detail to The Lists.

I want to show my appreciation for the tireless work performed each week by our production department led by Creative & Production Director Nina Bays and Art Director Marci Shrager.  

I’d also like to thank the efforts of our advertising team, led by Eva Juse and Ellen Mazen, for collaborating with our partners to help them market their brands to our Community of Business™.

Special thanks are also due to our longstanding partner and The Lists sponsor, First Republic Bank. We value your ongoing efforts to serve businesses.

I hope you find this year’s special edition to be engaging in terms of comprehensive content worth returning to again and again throughout the coming year.

As we all tune in to the NFL’s most impactful game, right here in our backyard, I encourage us all to appreciate the offerings of our great city, to recognize its progress and strength, and to respect the thousands of businesses involved in making Los Angeles one of the world’s finest cities.

Josh Schimmels
President & CEO

Read more in The Lists 2022.