With a big mortgage business and real estate franchising operations under brands such as Century 21, New York's Cendant has benefited from strong home sales. Over the past three years, it rang up 58% average annual sales growth. Net income surged 39% in 2003. But Silverman has also pushed to address shareholder concerns over Cendant's complex business model and aggressive dealmaking. Investors showed their renewed confidence by boosting returns 85% in the past 12 months. As further reward, Cendant paid its first-ever cash dividend this spring.