The Sky's the Limit

John P. Calamos, Sr. flew more than 400 combat missions as a U.S. Air Force pilot. He then taught himself to invest, launched one of the first convertible funds in 1985, and pioneered liquid alternative funds in 1990. Today, Calamos Investments manages more than $40 billion in assets worldwide.

The Sky's the Limit traces this extraordinary journey: from stock boy in his family's Chicago grocery store, to the cockpit of a B-52 bomber, to the founding of a global financial institution built on conviction, risk management, and an unshakeable belief in the American promise.

Written by Joe Garner and John P. Calamos, Sr., and published by John Wiley & Sons, the book pairs compelling personal stories with business lessons on resilience, entrepreneurship, and the discipline required to build something that lasts.

Endorsed by Michael Milken, Chairman of the Milken Institute, and Terry Savage, the syndicated financial columnist.

Joe was chosen to write the authorized biography of entrepreneur, investor, and aviation pioneer John P. Calamos, Sr., founder of Calamos Investments and one of the most influential figures in modern finance.

Published as The Sky's the Limit, the book traces Calamos' remarkable journey from working in his family's neighborhood grocery store to serving as a decorated Air Force pilot in Vietnam and ultimately building a global investment firm managing billions of dollars in assets.

Working closely with Calamos and his leadership team, Garner was given unprecedented access to the people, experiences, and decisions that shaped one of America's most successful business careers. The result is a deeply personal portrait of a visionary entrepreneur whose life was defined by discipline, resilience, innovation, and calculated risk-taking.

Released in 2025, The Sky's the Limit is both an inspiring American success story and a compelling study of leadership, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence.