Who's Who in Amp/ Preamp design?

I think of certain companies and certain people come to mind (PS Audio, for example), but other manufacturers appear to be corporate black holes (Mark Levinson- the company for example). Just who is who, to the best of your knowledge? Who should we be watching out for in amp/ preamp design and what are they like, and for which company? Can we get some personalities involved!! We are in this for the fun of it right, who is out there making our lives better? Manufactures chime in if you dare!
Example:
BAT- I think of a dude named Victor laboring over his balanced circuits, sweating due to the heat they put out,
PS Audio- I think of a cheerful guy named Paul McGowan and some other happy dudes with code names working on amp and power solutions in the crisp air of Colorado.
Threshold/ Pass- I think of Nelson Pass, circuit designer and circuit homebrewer!
Marsh - obviously there is a someone named Marsh at this place.
Gryphon Audio design- I think of a guy in black clothing named Rassmussen testing the designs while listening to a reel-to-reel (Revox perhaps?) with the lights dimmed due to the power-hungry class A designs being used.
Krell- Dan D'A. CEO but does he actually do anything?
Vandersteen- well, speakers don't count in this thread.

Anyone else?
(spelling does not count on this thread...obviously!)