As the former president of ABC News, Westin oversaw all of the news that emanates from the house of Mickey Mouse from 1997 to 2010. These days, he's the president and CEO of NewsRight.

Westin was raised in a devout Christian family in Ann Arbor, Michigan and attended law school before he joined ABC as general counsel and soon moved into management, becoming president in 1994, replacing Bob Iger, who had moved up the ladder to chief operating officer. In March 1997, Iger named Westin president of ABC News, which by most accounts was a step down on the corporate ladder, even though Iger described it to the press as a promotion. Westin occupied the position for over a decade until in 2010 it was announced that he was leaving ABC to pursue "other interests." Some insiders, however, suggested that Iger forced him out. Subsequently, founded NewsRight, an online content-tracking and licensing company.

Like any network news boss, Westin had his share of controversies to deal with. In 2000, he let noted journalist Leonardo DiCaprio "interview" Bill Clinton on environmental issues for an ABC News special; the segment generated a good deal of criticism in media circles and Westin admitted in an interview that it "was a mistake, there's just no two ways about it." He's also had to handle plenty of personality conflicts. Barbara Walters reportedly bitched out Westin in front of a large group of ABC News employees shortly after Sept. 11th, incensed that he was giving the choicest reporting assignments to her rival Diane Sawyer. A displeased Westin had a long talk with Walters, and she was subsequently assigned to interview Rudy Giuliani.

The news exec is married to his second wife, Sherrie Rollins Westin. Their relationship initially generated a minor scandal since both were married when they got involved—Sherrie to a leading political consultant, Ed Rollins, who occasionally appeared on ABC News. Westin has three children from previous marriages and Sherrie has a daughter with her former husband. The couple also has a child together. [Image via Getty]