On paper Gorbachev had achieved his ambition: he was chief decision maker and indeed a constitutional dictator.
Paul Reichmann, a tall, soft-spoken man who dressed in black suits, white shirts and dark ties, was clearly the family business strategist and chief decision-maker.
political life, but secret govt., in which the identities even of the chief decision makers are unknown, appears to be a recent innovation.
During the spill, Allen maintained an unrelenting schedule, travelling throughout the Gulf not only as the cleanup's chief decision-maker, but also as its chief spokesman and diplomat.
In 2009 he began his six-month term as the rotating president of the European Council, the European Union's chief decision-making body, and his tenure was widely considered a success.
"I think transfers should be an executive branch, commander in chief decision," he said, "but even if the legislative restrictions were removed, I don't believe the numbers would change radically".
Jim was at his best as a figurehead before 2001, before he pushed aside Dave Checketts as the chief decision maker, before some of the more talented minds in sports began an exodus.
Three days into a 10-day trip that is reshaping the team, the Mets have already promoted their top prospect, shortstop José Reyes, and have now deposed of their chief decision-maker.
Conventional wisdom amongst diplomats and analysts in Tehran has it that Iran's chief decision-makers are loathe to reach a deal on the nuclear dispute because they fear the US will simply shift the ground to human rights in its quest for regime change.
"The wedding dress is the most important purchase of the chief decision maker in a $90 billion market," Means explains.
