James Leprino

Father, Mike Sr., came to the U.S. in 1914, settled in Colorado. Whipped up homemade mozzarella and ricotta cheese for local customers in 1950s. Son Jim joined company at 18; turned modest family business into world's largest mozzarella producer. Today Leprino Foods operates 11 plants around U.S. and Europe. Sales: $2.4 billion. Leprino cheese baked into Dominos, Papa John's, Pizza Hut pizzas; also ingredient in Hot Pockets, string cheese. By-products whey protein, lactose, sweet whey powder used in infant formula, yogurt. Plans for new plant in Colorado.