60. Jo Ann Ross

Self-described "CBS groupie" Ross has had her eye on the network since the early '90s, when she was hired to head network sales for the 1994 Winter Olympics (she moved up to her current top slot in 2002). That kind of passion helps; this year Ross oversaw her network's third consecutive record-breaking upfront performance as CBS finished with a reported $2.5 billion in business, up $50 million from the year before.

The fast-talking exec credits an early stint in retail (selling dresses and suits to "fancy Upper East Side women") with leading her to her true calling: "I thought if I can sell them their wardrobes, I can sell anything." Next year, she'll continue to integrate the recently acquired digital company CNET into her network's sales pitch, which should keep her happily in her element. "If you're a sales person, you always like to have more to sell."