25 most powerful people in business

Chairman and CEO, Boeing

The global economy doesn't fly without aircraft, and Boeing has made about 75% of the world's commercial airplane fleet. The company is also a huge defense contractor, turning out a broad range of fighters, bombers, missiles, satellites, and a bunch of other stuff they could tell you about - but then they'd have to kill you. Adding to its global clout, Boeing sells to governments around the world. Think about it: McNerney runs the company that produces more airplanes than any other and that also knows the secrets behind some of the world's most fearsome military technology. That's power. --Geoff Colvin