Ed started at Continental Bank in 1973 after graduating with an MM degree (with distinction) from Northwestern's Kellogg Graduate School of Management in 1972. He also holds a BS degree (with honors) from St. Louis University. 

Ed is an owner of the firm and is the architect of the firm's value equity approach. He leads the equity investment approach and the asset allocation work on balanced portfolios in addition to managing client relationships. 

Wells joined Great Lakes Advisors in November, 1998. He brings to the firm more than 25 years of investment experience in various markets with an emphasis in common stocks. At Great Lakes, Wells is involved in the management of the firm's equity assets and client relationships.

He was previously a senior equity analyst and deputy director of equity research at First Chicago NBD, and most recently an equity portfolio manager. Wells is a graduate of Lake Forest College and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. He is a member of the Association for Investment and Research and The Investment Analysts Society of Chicago.