December 14

Erastus Corning was born in 1794 in Connecticut and moved to Albany, New York, in early adulthood. He established successful iron and hardware businesses, becoming a leading industrialist. Corning played a pivotal role in developing the New York Central Railroad and other transport ventures. He served multiple terms as mayor of Albany, focusing on urban improvements and infrastructure. Corning was a prominent member of the Democratic Party and served in the U.S. House of Representatives. His business acumen and political influence left a lasting imprint on New York State's economy. He died in 1872, remembered as a key figure in American industrial and political history.

Born in 1944 in Hunslet, Leeds, Graham Kirkham began his career in the furniture trade at a young age. In 1969, he founded Northern Upholstery, which later rebranded as DFS and became the UK's largest sofa retailer. He was knighted in 1985 for his contributions to business and philanthropy and took the title Baron Kirkham in 1999. Under his leadership, DFS expanded across Europe and pioneered customer-centric shopping experiences. Kirkham has engaged in significant charitable work, supporting education and health initiatives through the DFS Charitable Trust. His entrepreneurial journey from a market stall to the House of Lords exemplifies innovative leadership. He remains active in business and philanthropy, shaping the UK retail landscape.

Michael Ovitz (born 1946) is a pioneering American talent agent who co-founded Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in 1975. Under his leadership, CAA revolutionized Hollywood with innovative packaging deals and grew into one of the industry’s top agencies. Ovitz represented major film and television stars, directors, and writers, expanding CAA into sports and corporate divisions. In 1995, he briefly served as president of The Walt Disney Company, influencing major studio operations. After departing Disney, Ovitz continued as an advisor and investor in media and technology ventures, maintaining his impact on entertainment business trends.