Alfred West Jr

Early Life

Alfred P. West Jr. was born in the United States. He studied aerospace engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. While he originally dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot, poor eyesight led him to pursue an MBA at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School.

Rise to Success

West's career took off when he co-founded SEI Investments in 1968. SEI, which stands for Simulated Environments Inc., initially developed a computer program to train loan officers. Under West's leadership, SEI went public in 1981, and branched into investment advisory and money management. He served as CEO for 54 years and is now Executive Chairman.

Key Business Strategies

West is known for creating a unique and innovative work environment at SEI. This includes an open-plan office with workstations on wheels and a large collection of modern art. West emphasizes the importance of employee involvement and fostering a culture where employees are not afraid to fail. His focus on innovation and a team-oriented approach has been crucial to SEI's success.

Philanthropy

West is involved with the WestBridge, a nonprofit residential program, and is also the Chairman of the Board.