Founder of Elliott Management, a hedge fund he opened in 1977 to trade convertible bonds. He became famous in the 1990s as an obstinate lender to emerging markets, buying distressed bonds owed by countries such as Peru and Argentina and demanding to be paid in full. Singer is among the ultra-wealthy New Yorkers who decamped from New York to Florida, where Elliott is now based in West Palm Beach.
Conference, n.: A special meeting in which the boss gathers subordinates to hear what they have to say, so long as it doesn't conflict with what he's already decided to do.