No, Ayn Rand was a theorist who influenced some enthusiasts and academics, but her effect on conservative thought as a whole was, in my opinion, limited.

The success of conservative thought today stems from two principle sources, one, the success of the civil rights movement which mobilized many into the conservative camp on so-called social grounds. (Note: I am NOT saying conservatives are racists, what I am saying is that the upsurge in new conservatives in the 60s came as a reaction to the civil rights movement.) Many of this new class of conservative are no longer racist, in fact, some are even black! But the shift, particularly in the south, owes to that set of historical circumstances.

The second factor in the rise of the new conservative movement has been a legitimate resistance by the business community to what they feel are too high taxes and too much government regulation. I have no problem with these general principles, I just don't believe they are drawing the line in the right place.