John Calamos

Once lauded money man—worth $2.7 billion just 2 years ago—feeling pain as his funds falter. Flagship Calamos Growth Fund down 8% since end of last August. Result: shares of publicly traded Calamos Asset Management have fallen 30% since last October. Assets under management off 8% to $41.2 billion since May. Recently forced to lay off 7% of staff. Mr. Calamos received his undergraduate degree in Economics and an MBA in Finance from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Joining the United States Air Force after graduation, he served as a combat pilot during the Vietnam War and ultimately earned the rank of Major. Following his military service, John devoted his entire professional career to investment management and research, establishing his own firm in 1977.