INVESTMENT STAFF

J. Ellwood Towle
Chief Executive Officer

Woody has researched and invested in publicly traded companies for 30+ years. During his investment career, Towle & Co. has owned over 80 companies that have been acquired from the company's portfolio. His cumulative knowledge of and experience in the small-cap universe provides a foundation for Towle & Co.'s investment management process. Before starting Towle & Co. in 1981, Woody worked for nine years at Brown Group, Inc. lastly as Manager of Corporate Development. In this capacity, he was involved in the implementation of the firm's merger and acquisition strategy including the identification, due diligence and analysis of acquisition candidates. Woody received his BA in history and business administration from Principia College in Elsah, Illinois in 1965 and an MBA from the University of Missouri in 1967.

Christopher D. Towle
President

Chris joined Towle & Co. in 1994 and has been instrumental in all aspects of the firm’s growth and development. As an integral member of the investment team, he shares responsibility for the investment management process including portfolio management, trading, and research. Prior to 1994, he served as a General Manager of H. H. Brown Shoe Co., Inc., an operating subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, with full line responsibility for a division of the company. He started his professional career as a Senior Credit Analyst at Manufacturers Hanover Trust in New York City. Chris graduated from Williams College in Williamstown, MA with a BA in history in 1990 and received an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis in 1998.

Peter J. Lewis, CFA
Director of Research

Peter joined Towle & Co. in 2001 and is a key member of the investment team. Previously, he was President of Principle Research, Inc. From 1991 to 1998, Peter was a partner and department leader at Edward Jones & Co., where he developed a seven-person research team responsible for determining the suitability of all products sold by the company. Before 1991, he worked as a Senior Credit Analyst for three years at the Bank of New York. More recently, he served as a visiting professor of Economics at Principia College in Elsah, Illinois and professor of Finance at Webster University, in St. Louis, Missouri. Peter graduated from Principia College with a BA in chemistry and business administration in 1987 and received an MBA with concentrations in accounting and finance from Washington University in St. Louis in 1993. Peter holds the distinction of Chartered Financial Analyst.

Wesley R. Tibbetts
Associate

Wes joined Towle & Co. in 2010 as a valued member of the investment team with broad duties across the portfolio management and research process. Previously, Wes was an analyst at Lehman Brothers under the Private Equity division and at Neuberger Berman within the NB Alternatives group. While at these organizations, he analyzed buyout, venture capital and distressed debt funds as a part of his group’s private equity fund of funds platform. In addition, Wes shared duties in the analysis, management and reporting of a listed private equity fund. Wes graduated summa cum laude with a BBA in Finance from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University in 2008. He is a Level III candidate for the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

MARKETING

Joseph W. Bradley
Director of Marketing

Joe joined Towle & Co. in April 2009 as Director of Marketing, after a nine month period serving the firm as a consultant in a similar role. He is responsible for articulating the firm’s message, disseminating information to the industry, and educating interested parties about the benefits of our Deep Value offering. Prior to this position, he managed portfolios of investment property, including oversight of daily operations, sales, and acquisitions for a select group of private investors. Joe graduated from Principia College with a BS in history and environmental science in 1997.

SUPPORT STAFF

Jodi L. Layman, CPA
Director of Operations

Jodi joined Towle & Co. in March 2006 as Director of Operations. She has over ten years experience working in the accounting field, including five years at A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. During her career, Jodi has been responsible for training and managing other team members, served as the department coordinator for a major technology upgrade, and developed an extensive knowledge of regulatory accounting and SEC reporting. Jodi graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a BSBA in 1992, received an MBA with a concentration in accounting from St. Louis University in 1994 and acquired her CPA in 2001.

Laura K. Diersen
Operations Associate

Laura joined Towle & Co. in September 2006. She shares the responsibility of administering our back office operations and provides client service support. Previously, Laura worked as an Accountant at Reinsurance Group of America, General American Life Insurance, and Browning-Ferris Industries. She graduated Cum Laude with a BS in business administration and accounting from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 1988.