Wayne Westerberg is an American businessman known for his role in the life of Christopher McCandless, the subject of the book and film "Into the Wild." Westerberg owned a grain elevator in South Dakota, where McCandless worked for a time during his travels. Their friendship developed as they shared stories and experiences. Westerberg's influence on McCandless was significant, as he provided him with a sense of community and support. He later expressed concern for McCandless when he learned about his journey into the Alaskan wilderness, highlighting the bond they formed during their brief time together.