Even though he's infamous, I will go with Napoleon B. ... you ?
He deserves credit for be an excellent military leader, perhaps the best of his era.
While I could list a dozen or more, with justifications for each one, I am going to say Alfred Thayer Mahan. His work,
The Influence of Sea Power Upon History is what convinced Congress to fund a ocean going battle fleet, and began the transformation of the US from an isolationist nation to a global power.
Favorite car maker? Mine is either Ford or Toyota.