Movers and shapers: leaders who created the business landscape of today.

• Position: Business Legends

Twenty-five years ago, Utah's economy was regionally focused and lacking complexity. The state's business leaders--through their own ventures and through public initiatives--worked to make Utah a thriving hub for technology, finance, healthcare and health research, arts and culture, real estate development and many, many other sectors.

Here's a look at the pioneers who helped make Utah the international hotspot that it is today.

Alan Ashton

Founder, Wordperfect and Thanksgiving Point

After co-founding and growing WordPerfect Corporation into a global software giant, Alan Ashton turned his attention to community interests and later founded Thanksgiving Point as an educational institute for all ages--and a magnet for economic development in northern Utah County.

Fred Ball

Fomer President & CEO. Salt Lake Chamber

Listeners throughout Utah and Idaho came to know Fred Ball through his "Speaking on Business" radio segments aired by Zions Bank for nearly 14 years. Before that, Ball headed the Salt Lake Chamber for 26 years and advocated tirelessly for Salt Lake City to host the Winter Olympics.

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H. Roger Boyer

Founder & Chairman The Boyer Company

Roger Boyer founded The Boyer Company in 1972, and since that time, the company has developed more than 30 million square feet of commercial space, including notable mixed-use projects like The Gateway and The District. Active in the community, Boyer serves on the boards of several nonprofits.

O. Jay Call

Founder Flying J Jay Call pioneered the modern truck stop, founding a national chain of truck stops that offered amenities like food, showers and even hair cuts to truckers. In order to control fuel costs, he grew the company into a vertically integrated fuel company that extracts, refines, transports and sells gasoline.

R. D. "Don" Cash

Former Chairman & CEO. Questar Coro

Under the leadership of Don Cash, Questar Corp. evolved from a small utility company into an energy powerhouse. He served as CEO from 1984 to 2002, and during that time the company significantly increased its oil and natural gas reserves, and quadrupled the number of its customers.

William H. Child

Chairman. RC Willey Home Fumishings

Bill Child took over his father-in-law's small appliance shop in 1954 and grew it into a renowned regional furniture store. The company was purchased by Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., the holding company of investor Warren Buffet, in 1995. Child continued to serve as CEO until 2001, and he...