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Gerould Kern

Age: 64

Occupation: Senior vice president and editor, Chicago Tribune

The year was not kind to newspapers. But Kern, who directs more journalists than anyone else in town (400), held the line on credibility for the city’s paper of record (owned by Tribune Co., Chicago’s parent). Though Tribune plans to spin off its print assets this summer, the smart money is on Kern to sail through unscathed.