J. Joe Ricketts

Overview

J. Joe Ricketts served as chairman of the Company's board of directors until September 2008. He also held the position of chief executive officer from 1981 through February 2001, except for the period from March 1999 to May 2000, during which he was co-chief executive officer, and the period from May 2000 to August 2000, during which he did not hold the position of chief executive officer. In 1975, Mr. Ricketts became associated with the Company and began serving as a director and officer. By 1981, he acquired majority control of the Company. Prior to 1975, Mr. Ricketts was a registered representative with a national brokerage firm, an investment advisor with Ricketts & Co. and a branch manager with The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation, a financial information firm. Mr. Ricketts is a former director of Securities Industry Association (SIA). He served as a member of the district committee for District 4 of the NASD from 1996 to 1999. Mr. Ricketts serves on the board of directors of the American Enterprise Institute. Mr. Ricketts received a B.A. in Economics from Creighton University. Mr. Ricketts is the father of J. Peter Ricketts and Thomas S. Ricketts, each of whom serves as a director of the Company.