“John P. Calamos Sr. is Founder, Chairman, and Global Chief Investment Officer of Calamos Investments. He is a pioneer in the fields of convertible securities and liquid alternative investments, as well as a Vietnam veteran who has flown over 400 missions as a combat pilot and a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross.” This is how The Sky’s the Limit: Lessons in Service, Entrepreneurship and Achieving the American Dream by Joe Garner & John P. Calamos Sr. describe the titular man.

It’s really a treat to have an intimate fireside style chat with a legend: a self-made billionaire, entrepreneur, decorated war veteran and family man. As a U.S. Military pilot, he was always managing risk and used that skill to create and grow Calamos Investments, now with roughly $40 billion under management. After working in a factory manufacturing televisions, John Calamos decided to go to college. Calamos wants to inspire the next generation with his own story and to give them tools to live the American Dream. “We’re looking for people with passion on what they want to do” at Calamos, he says.

Financier C. Dean Metropoulos wrote that John Calamos has always been rooted to his values and that John “made his own luck.” Metropoulos continues, “His story is a guide for how to accomplish great things by living a purposeful life characterized by service, moderation and empathy.”

His Greek heritage is never forgotten – especially since he’s been a part of the Greek community in Chicago’s “Greek Town” – from taking his father back to his village in Greece and supporting The National Hellenic Museum where they educate children, and honor successful Greek Americans that created and innovated. At his alma mater, the Illinois Institute of Technology, Calamos endowed a chair in philosophy in a time where those majors are disappearing. “We’ve got to teach the students philosophy,” he argues. John was taught an incredible work ethic from his parents and great discipline in the military.

This is a rags to riches story. Living the American Dream. Calamos is a pioneer in convertible securities. In fact, Calamos launched one of the first convertible funds in 1985 as a way to manage risk for clients in volatile times. One quote that inspired him to enroll in the ROTC and throughout his life is JFK’s famous words: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

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