BORN

Sept. 7, 1953, in West New York, N.J.EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree in psychology, Rutgers University, 1976CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

After college, he started a commercial-industrial film company. Later refocused the business on marketing and PR for tech startups. In 1989, co-founded user interface design company Medior, which AOL acquired in 1995. Rose quickly at AOL and was named president of AOL's Interactive Services group in 1998. Became chairman and CEO of the AOL unit after the company merged with Time Warner in January.PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENT

Confounding the technology elite of Silicon Valley, who thought AOL was doomed because it dumbed down the Internet. "It's not the technology itself," he says. "It's the application of technology that's important."HOBBIES

Cruises the Caribbean Sea on his 83-foot Expedition yacht. A gourmet cook, he likes to prepare big, informal dinners for friends. Fiddles with gadgets of all kinds, including a self-rigged home network. Experiments with digital photography. Draws on a pad at work.FAMILY

Married to his second wife, Tracy, who was also a co-founder of Medior. They have a 4-year-old son and a newborn daughter. Two sons from his previous marriage. Owns a Napa Valley vineyard, where he's building a house.