James E. Stowers

Mr. Stowers is chairman and founder of American Century Investments, a premier investment manager headquartered in Kansas City, Mo.
He started the company, along with other investors, in 1958 with $107,000.
Recognizing the value of the computer to the investment business, Mr. Stowers designed the comprehensive portfolio analysis system and wrote the software programs used by American Century Investment Management, Inc., to manage the funds and track data on more than 18,000 securities.
He also designed the company's shareholder accounting system and terminal screens and wrote the software programs used in today's operation of the funds.
Mr. Stowers shared his investment philosophy in his book, Yes, You Can…Achieve Financial Independence, published in 1992, which Forbes praised as "a comprehensive, simply written, how-to money book by one of America's ablest mutual fund managers." Mr. Stowers, who participates as a member of the management company's Executive Committee, holds two degrees from the University of Missouri.
He served as an Air Force fighter pilot during World War II and remained in the Air Force Reserve until he resigned as a captain in 1957.
He and his wife, Virginia, live in Kansas City and have four children.