Alan Gerry

High school dropout joined the Marines in WWII, learned television repair on GI Bill. Used $1,500 in 1956 to create cable upstart in Liberty, N.Y.; soon grew into 5-channel system. Sold to Time Warner 4 decades later, netted $900 million. Invests proceeds through Granite Associates: hedge funds, private equity, real estate, Time Warner stock. Donates to environmental, educational, medical causes. Woodstock museum opened doors in June.