Up-and-coming global executives
(CNN) -- Few of the following business executives are famous -- yet.
That's part of the reason TIME and CNN have chosen these particular young executives as the 2002 Global Business Influentials. Selected from more than 100 nominees named by TIME correspondents around the world, each of these up-and-coming business leaders has accomplished something this year that transcended borders.
All are regarded as leaders in their industries but more accomplishments may lie ahead in their careers. Hailing from a variety of countries, these 18 executives share a sense that the world is their market -- and their home.
Mukesh Ambani
The family business, Reliance Industries, has blossomed under Mukesh Ambani.
Founded by Mukesh's father Dhirubhai H. Ambani, Reliance is now India's largest private company, with $13.3 billion in total revenues and a net profit of $740 million. The all-purpose giant covers numerous markets, including petrochemicals, textiles, power, financial services and telecommunications.
With a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Bombay and an MBA from Stanford, Mukesh has garnered many personal accolades, including entrepreneur-of-the-year awards from Ernst & Young and the Bombay Management Association.
Maria Aramburuzabala
"Miles away from ordinary" is not only Corona beer's slogan, but it could also describe Maria Asuncion Aramburuzabala, vice chairman of Corona's Mexican-based brewer, Grupo Modelo.
Inheriting the Latin American country's largest beer empire after her father passed away, she took over two bankrupt subsidiaries and made them profitable within a year. Under the queen of Corona's reign -- and despite her lack of business experience -- Grupo Modelo's profits rose 20 percent during the first half of 2002.
Aramburuzabala ranked 12th on Fortune magazine's list of 40 richest women under 40 with a personal fortune of $1.5 billion.
Rich Barton
In a staggering online business climate and a travel industry rocked by terrorist attacks, Expedia has not only held its own, but excelled -- thanks in no small part to the vision, strategy and approach of CEO Rich Barton.
A former Microsoft employee, Barton created Expedia in 1994, on the cusp of the Internet boom. After a few years of steady growth, the site took off after September 11 -- doubling its sales, sextupling its profit and seeing its stock price skyrocket 180 percent. In the process, Expedia overtook rival Travelocity in gross travel bookings.
Sound business strategy aside, Barton is not your typical CEO. He often walks barefoot around the office and holds chin-up contests for employees. (More from TIME)
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