John's Expertise

John’s passion for investing began at age 12 when his father began buying him stocks as Christmas and birthday gifts. His interest in equities grew while in college and over the two-plus years he worked as a stockbroker for William Blair & Company. In 1983, John founded Ariel at age 24 to focus on patient, value investing within small- and medium-sized companies. While Ariel’s research capabilities have expanded across the globe, patience is still the disciplined approach that drives the firm today. Early in his career, John’s investment acumen brought him to the forefront of media attention and culminated in him being selected as co-mutual fund manager of the year by Sylvia Porter’s Personal Finance magazine as well as an all-star mutual fund manager by USA Today. Furthermore, John has been highlighted alongside legendary investors Warren Buffett, Sir John Templeton and Ben Graham in the distinguished book: The World’s 99 Greatest Investors by Magnus Angenfelt.

His professional accomplishments extend to the boardroom where he is a member of the board of directors of Nike, The New York Times Company and Ryan Specialty. He also serves on the board of trustees of the University of Chicago and the Obama Foundation. In 2008, John was awarded Princeton University’s highest honor, the Woodrow Wilson Award, presented each year to the alumnus or alumna whose career embodies a commitment to national service. He served as co-chair of President Obama’s Presidential Inaugural Committee in 2009, and in 2023, John received the Order of Lincoln, the highest honor for professional achievement and public service in Illinois. John received an AB in economics from Princeton University, where he was also captain of the varsity basketball team.