James C. Bower, President

James C. Bower has over 30 years experience in the commodities industry through many different outlets. He graduated from Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY, in 1971 with a degree in transportation. He began his career with Continental Grain and opened Bower Trading, Inc. in 1984 in Lafayette, Indiana. Since then he has has been committed to helping investors and producers, both large and small.  In 1995 he was rated as the number one CTA in the US for net yield.   He is currently serving his 24th year on AgDay television weekly with Al Pell as an AgDay senior marker analyst.  Mr. Bower has also written pieces for  market publications such as AgDay Weekend Marketplace.  

Bea Smith, Vice President Finance

Bea Smith is Vice President of Finance for Bower Trading, Inc.  Bea's background in education and community outreach programs translates easily into her current executive management position.  For more than a decade at Bower Trading, Bea has earned a reputation with clients for her excellent organizational and people skills, along with her ability to provide outstanding customer service to each client.

Before joining the company in 1994, Bea worked as a secretary/bookkeeper in an attorney's office, and as a secretary in the Lafayette School System.  From 1982 to 1989 Bea, along with her husband, co-founded MK Construction and JaBea Management, a property management company.  Bea is an active member of her community and a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority since 1975, through which she has been awarded "Woman of the Year" designations on six occasions and has held various local and state elected positions.  Bea resides with her husband of 35 years in Lafayette, Indiana.  She has four daughters and two sons.

Kitty Gillespie

Trading Assistant and E-Mail Specialist

Kitty Gillespie is a Trading Assistant and Electronic Communications/email Specialist for Bower Trading, Inc.  Before joining the company in 2000, Kitty worked as a secretary at Tecumseh Middle School for nine years.  Additionally, she worked for Kappa Delta Phi, and educational honor society, as a Secretary/Editorial Assistant for more than seven years.  Kitty is an active member of her community, a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority since 1969 and an avid Sprint/Midget Car race fan. 

Kitty resides with her husband of 33 years in Lafayette, Indiana.  She has one son and a Boston Terrier.

Douglas A. Werling, Account Executive

Douglas A. Werling is an Account Executive for Bower Trading, Inc.  Before joining the company in 2002, Douglas trained under the direction and guidance of veteran traders with Bower Trading.  He graduated from Purdue University with a degree in agriculture, specializing in the commodity markets.  He grew up on a farrow-to-finish hog and grain farm in New Haven, Indiana.  His hard work ethic and dedication in both his personal and educational backgrounds in agriculture easily translates to a fundamental understanding of the commodity futures markets.

"Doug's professional ability to multi-task allows him to be an excellent customer service representative for all clients, both investors and producers, in obtaining their business objectives,"  Bower Trading, Inc., President James Bower said.  "He gives our clients' accounts the personal attention he would give his own."

Douglas and his wife Laura reside in Sweetser, Indiana