Michael Sitrick, PR Executive

Age: 59. Greatest Hits: Rush Limbaugh, Michael Ovitz, Cardinal Roger Mahony. Why him? Sitrick’s Century City firm perfected the field of crisis public relations. He controls reportorial access to troubled actors and warring financiers alike. Latest coup: Engineered Lesley Stahl’s 60 Minutes interview with Patricia Dunn, shifting focus from charges of illegal spying on board members against the former Hewlett-Packard chairwoman to her fight with cancer. Because he can: Wears a $61,000 wristwatch. The test: the recent departure of high-powered partner Allan Mayer raises questions about the future