The adage "Like father, like son" doesn't apply to the Thompsons, at least when it comes to investment approach.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel recounted the story of how differences in approach led John C. Thompson to move on from his father's firm, Thompson Investment Management (investment adviser to the Thompson Plumb mutual funds), in 2009 after spending 17 years at the Madison, Wisconsin-headquartered company. His father, John W. Thompson, prefers spreading money across a wide array of stocks, while the younger Thompson favors a small number of holdings.

Post-Thompson Investment Management, the younger Thompson became involved with a mortgage insurance startup for one year, then launched Vilas Capital Management last May. He rolled out a mutual fund, Vilas Fund, in November.

"My son is a very talented portfolio manager," John W. Thompson wrote in an e-mail to the Journal Sentinel. "He will do an excellent job managing his new fund with the investment objectives he has put forth." 

Edited by: Armie Margaret Lee


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