Jim Bower

Meet Our Team

James “Jim” Bower

President + Founder

James “Jim” Bower is president and founder of Bower Trading, Inc., a full service commodities futures and options brokerage firm established in Lafayette, Indiana, in 1988, specializing in trading global agricultural markets and meeting each client’s unique requirements.

Jim has more than 40 years of experience in the commodities and futures business. He has deep interest and expertise in the globalization of the commodities market, particularly in Brazil where he has built a network of contacts who help formulate better analysis of what is occurring in the region.

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He began his career in 1975 as a manager of Conti Carriers and Terminals, and late, as an account executive for Conti Commodity Services. Jim was recognized as the youngest account executive to earn the ranking as a top ten worldwide producer for two consecutive years, a distinction based on client profits. In 1984, Jim joined Shearson Lehman’s commodities division as vice president where he oversaw office operations and served agribusiness clientele. At Shearson, he secured national television exposure for the commodities division, establishing himself as a senior market analyst on agri-business networks such as AgDay Television and an oft-quoted expert on agricultural market globalization in The Wall Street Journal.

Jim graduated cum laude from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York. While there, he received the Gulf Oil Award for academics and was the captain of the varsity basketball team. Jim taught at the Great Lakes Maritime Academy in Northwestern Michigan from 1973 to 1975, earning the designation of Head of the Deck Officer Training Program.

An avid equestrian, Jim is a member of the National Cutting Horse Association and actively competes in the non-pro circuit. He and his wife Vicki have four children and reside in Zionsville, Indiana.