Fool Awards 2007: Best CEO

Investors have to put a lot of faith in a company's management. After all, you're essentially turning over your hard-earned money and telling management to make it grow.

With any luck, you're confident in the management of each company you invest in. But which of the top brass really shines above the rest? Here's your chance to bestow a Fool Award upon one of the leaders making you money. Our contenders are:

• Selim Bassoul, Middleby (Nasdaq: MIDD)
• Sally Smith, Buffalo Wild Wings (Nasdaq: BWLD)
• Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-A) (NYSE: BRK-B)
• Lloyd Blankfein, Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS)
• Steve Jobs, Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL)

Selim Bassoul might not be the most famous of the names above, but his turnaround of oven maker Middleby helped him land on our short list.

Sally Smith has made B-Dub's spicy sports bar a little more kid-friendly. In the process, she's turned up the heat -- not only in the kitchen, but on the stock price as well.

Warren Buffett needs no introduction -- you'll find more than 10,000 references to the Oracle of Omaha on The Motley Fool -- but in case you've been living in a cave for the last 30 years, here are some Foolish thoughts on why we think his advice is so great.

Bringing in a considerably larger salary than Buffett, Lloyd Blankfein joins a long list of great leaders at Goldman. And with his smashing numbers of late, I think he's earned that cash.

Last, but certainly not least, Steve Jobs has been on fire with innovation and style -- but will it last?

What makes a great leader? The ability to turn around a company? Great investing skills? Or, perhaps, just being an overall innovator? Here's your chance to have your voice heard.