In 1990, we started Turner Investment Partners in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, in a small office with a few computers and low overhead: staff members took little or no compensation that first year.

Original staff members included two brothers, Bob Turner and Mark Turner, and Christopher McHugh. Previously Bob had worked at Meridian Investment Company, Mark had been at First Maryland Asset Management, and Chris had been at Provident Capital Management.

"We saw an opportunity and thought of doing something on our own," Mark says. "Our biggest advantage was our naiveté; we didn't recognize the pitfalls of starting our own business. We had enough assets under management to keep the lights on and pay the bills."

By the end of the first year, however, our assets under management totaled $112 million. As of September 30, 2008, assets under management total approximately $22.2 billion. We think our growth has been due mainly to our commitment to providing clients with a level of investment performance and service that we ourselves would expect if we were in the client's shoes. Our whole story has been as simple — and challenging — as that.

Today, Turner Investment Partners is a diversified entity providing investment management and distribution services. We offer institutional equity services, advise portfolios through relationships with managed accounts sponsors, and advise mutual funds that are part of the Turner Funds group as well as other fund families. Our clients include pension funds, foundations, public companies, other asset managers, financial advisors, and individuals.

Our history is as an independent firm, and we intend to remain that way: We think remaining independent will help us keep our interests in sync with the interests of clients.