Israeli immigrant spent his 20s learning the buyout business alongside older brother Alec (see) at Gores Technology Group. Split in 1995: Tom now runs Platinum Equity; conglomerate manages 20 companies with $8 billion in sales. Rebuilds distressed companies before selling them at a profit. Sold ACR Logistics to Kuehne & Nagel International for $510 million in January. Also invested in film production shops Crescent Drive Pictures, 360 Pictures. This year bought 8-acre property in Beverly Hills between homes of David Geffen and Ronald Burkle (see both).