The Greatest Seafarer Peoples in History
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In an increasingly volatile economy, Greek-American voices like those of John P. Calamos Sr., Founder, Chairman, and Global Chief Investment Officer at Calamos Investments, and CEO John Koudounis offer valuable insights into the future of the US economy.
Both successful men recently chatted with Maria Bartiromo on Fox Business’s “Mornings with Maria,” offering a cautious yet hopeful view of the American economy, while focusing on the principles that have brought their investment company to its current success.
A big part of their conversation focused on the future of the American economy. Koudounis didn’t hide his belief that there is potential for a future surge in the markets if things like deregulation, tax reforms, and tariffs work well together. On his behalf, Calamos also noted that fiscal responsibility is one of the most important aspects.
Koudounis added that he had a conversation with Scott Bessent, the current US Treasury Secretary, who expressed his optimism about Trump’s three-legged strategy, which includes tariffs, tax reforms, and deregulation.
Both executives also took a moment to draw on their firm’s long history of riding out financial storms since the 1970s. Their core message was for people to stick to their guns with a disciplined investment plan and always play the long game. This is the kind of advice that has kept Calamos Investments thriving for nearly half a century.
While the interview gave some great food for thought on current financial affairs, it coincided nicely with the recent release of a brand-new book detailing John Calamos’s incredible life, “The Sky’s the Limit: Lessons in Service, Entrepreneurship, and Achieving the American Dream.” Authored by Joe Garner, the biography was officially launched at the prestigious Milken Institute Global Conference and is now available wherever you buy books.
The book traces Calamos’s journey from his humble beginnings as a stock boy in his family’s Chicago grocery store to becoming an honored Vietnam War veteran. From there, he founded a global asset management firm that manages over $40 billion for its clients.
One of the most important stories from the book is that as a teenager, Calamos stumbled upon a forgotten pile of stock certificates tucked away in his family’s basement. That discovery lit a fire in him, sparking a lifelong fascination with investing. Later, his military service, which included flying over 400 combat missions, taught him the real-world cost of risk and the absolute necessity of preparation—lessons he would later include in his investment strategies.
Calamos was ahead of the curve in recognizing the potential of convertible securities—clever financial tools that function somewhat like stocks and bonds—to manage investment risk. He launched one of the earliest convertible funds in 1985 and followed that with one of the earliest liquid alternative funds in 1990. These initiatives demonstrated a career-long commitment to innovation, even when it meant challenging the prevailing market trends.
This recent interview and the launch of Calamos’ biography show that navigating markets requires a thoughtful strategy, the ability to bounce back, and a mindset geared towards service. For anyone feeling adrift in today’s often-turbulent economic waters, John Calamos offers a steady hand and a compelling story of how you can truly achieve the American Dream.
