American Century Investments Founder James E. Stowers Jr. Dedicates a Life's Work to Help Others Achieve Success

Business Wire, July 24, 2001

Business Editors

KANSAS CITY, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 24, 2001

As a struggling mutual fund salesman in 1952, American Century Investments Chairman James E. Stowers Jr. adopted a simple, but life-changing, work philosophy that made him one of the wealthiest men in America as well as one of its leading philanthropists.

"I came to believe that if you helped other people become successful, then over time they in turn would help you become successful," Stowers says. "And that is what happened."

Armed with that simple understanding of human nature and a personal philosophy of "The Best Is Yet To Be(R)," Stowers became an investment innovator, maturing into one of the most determined, tenacious and visionary businessmen America has ever produced. In 1958, with $107,000 in capital contributed by 24 friends and associates, he founded Twentieth Century Investors, now known as the American Century Investments family of mutual funds. With his unique way to analyze stocks and pick successful companies, he proceeded to revolutionize the mutual funds business and build a company that manages approximately $95 billion in assets and serves more than two million shareholders.

At a time when most similar businessmen would quietly retire to enjoy the benefits of such a successful life, the 77-year-old Stowers is still in there, pitching his unique investment wisdom to help others steer through their own personal financial crossroads.

In 2000, Stowers broadened his ability to reach people with the founding of Stowers Innovations, Inc. Stowers Innovations helps people get what they want by showing them the things they can do to achieve success. This includes financial information and a variety of inspirational and motivational concepts that Stowers both strongly believes in and follows.

"Financial success is seldom an accident," he says. "Prosperity almost always comes from hard work and saving over time. I have never lost my desire to do my utmost to help people improve their financial positions so they can eventually become financially independent.

"As a former mentor once taught me, don't tell people what they should do. Your job is to make them aware of what they can do."

In 1993, Stowers first introduced his concepts in the book Yes, You Can . . . Achieve Financial Independence. This 274-page hard-bound book gives Stowers a forum for sharing his financial expertise and his philosophy of optimism. Since then, more than 100,000 copies of the book have been distributed. It is currently in its third edition and continues to stimulate thousands of people into thinking about -- and acting upon -- their own long-term financial goals.

"I firmly believe it is possible for anyone, provided they have the determination and are provided with the right information, to achieve financial independence," he says.

That information -- the foundation of Stowers' success in business, along with his beliefs and life experiences -- can be found in Yes, You Can . . . Achieve Financial Independence and its companion CD-ROM, the Stowers Financial Analysis. The Stowers Financial Analysis takes people step-by-step through a series of personal financial worksheets that give an in-depth look at where they stand financially and what actions they might take to achieve financial freedom in the future. Both pieces skillfully use humorous illustrations, fact-filled charts and personal insights to help demonstrate the philosophy of investing that served Stowers so well.

Stowers' commitment to helping others extends beyond individual personal growth. In April 2001, Stowers, along with his wife, Virginia, opened the $200 million Stowers Institute for Medical Research, headquartered in Kansas City, Mo. More recently, the Stowers made a gift of securities valued at $1.114 billion to the Stowers Institute, bringing the total value of the institution's endowment to more than $1.6 billion.

As cancer survivors, the Stowers decided to dedicate their fortune to supporting the basic research that will provide long-term solutions to gene-based diseases. The Institute conducts basic research into complex genetic systems to unlock the mysteries of diseases and find the keys to their causes, treatment and prevention. It aspires to be one of the most innovative biomedical research facilities in the world.

"As one result of my success, my wife, Virginia, and I have been able to create the Institute," Stowers says. "We wanted to give back something more valuable than money to the millions of people who made our success possible."

Having worked most of his life to help others achieve success, it is obvious that self-enrichment has never been Stowers' main motivation. As he explains, "I would like to be remembered for what I did for others rather than what I did for myself."

To learn more about James E. Stowers and his ideas for achieving success, visit the Stowers Innovations Web site at www.stowers-innovations.com. A free booklet entitled, 10 Proven Ideas That Could Improve Your Financial Position, is also available through the Web site or by calling 800/234-3445. For more information, a downloadable biography of James E. Stowers and photographic images, please visit: www.pressquestions.com/stowersinnovations.