ARTHUR BLANK, chairman, president and chief executive of the Atlanta Falcons; co-founded Home Depot in 1978 (retired 2001). Fulfilled a 15-year dream when he bought the Falcons for $545 million last year. Charitable giving: $15 million for new hall for Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Emory University's Institute for Jewish Studies. Corporate boards: Cox Enterprises, Post Properties Inc. Other boards: North Carolina Outward Bound School. Chairman, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.

DOUG DAFT, chairman and chief executive of Coca-Cola Co. Native of Australia joined Coke in 1969 at 26. Attempting to make a turnaround at Coke by dealing with a fast-changing marketplace where traditional sodas aren't as popular. Corporate boards: SunTrust Banks. Also: trustee of Emory University.

MIKE ESKEW, chairman and chief executive of United Parcel Service. Indiana native has been with UPS for 31 years; became CEO in January 2002. Attempting to make UPS, the world's largest transportation firm, the dominant player in $3 trillion worldwide logistics market. Trustee of UPS Foundation and Annie E. Casey Foundation and board member at Carter Center.

CHARLES H. "PETE" McTIER, president of the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, Atlanta's largest philanthropy, since 1988. Also manages five foundations of the Woodruff family of foundations. Georgia native. Corporate boards: Coca-Cola Femsa; SunTrust Bank of Georgia; and president of the Commerce Club board.

LEO MULLIN, chief executive of Delta Air Lines since 1997. Was lead lobbyist for airline aid package after Sept. 11 attacks. Former consultant, banker and utility executive with three Harvard degrees was first outsider recruited to Delta's top job. Corporate boards: BellSouth Corp., Johnson & Johnson. Other boards: Air Transport Association; International Air Transport Association; Georgia Research Alliance.

HERMAN RUSSELL, chairman and CEO of H.J. Russell & Co., one of the nation's largest African-American companies. Atlanta native; started company in 1952 during segregation. Mastering Atlanta art of joint ventures, his construction company has helped build Atlanta landmarks such as Georgia Dome, Turner Field and Philips Arena. In 1963 was the first African-American member of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and later became chairman. Corporate board: Citizens Trust Bank.

SAM A. WILLIAMS, president of Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce since 1997. Chamber has led efforts to fix region's transportation and water problems. Tennessee native became first executive director of Research Atlanta. Joined Portman Cos., architectural and development firm that helped create Atlanta's skyline. Was president of Central Atlanta Progress before joining the chamber.