21. Charles Wang

This guy slides up and down our 24 list faster than a hockey puck on ice. But since Wang left Computer Associates to become a full-time philanthropist and high-rise developer, it has been hard to get a fix on whether he’s got real power or just panache. He undoubtedly has a lot of money, a lot of ambition and a history of getting his way, but Wang’s massive plans may send suburbanites running. From his planned “smart growth” community in Plainview to his dreams for the Nassau HUB, Wang’s projects could be killed by residents rejecting a perceived urbanization of their beloved neighborhoods.