Cornell is the president of Sheets Smith Investment Management, an affiliate of Sheets Smith Wealth Management, Inc.. Prior to joining Sheets Smith Wealth Management, Inc. in 2003, Mr. Bowden was the Chief Investment Officer of Atlantic Capital Management, Ltd. Earlier in his career, Mr. Bowden served as Senior Vice President and equity strategist of Companion Capital Management Inc. Before joining Companion, he managed the co-mingled equity and money market funds of the Trust Department of Bankers Trust of South Carolina. He began his investment career as a securities analyst with Wachovia Bank and Trust Company, N.A. in 1970.

Mr. Bowden has extensive experience managing equity only and tactical asset allocation balanced portfolios. Since 2010, performance composites of his portfolios have been distinguished multiple times as “Top Guns” by Informa Investment Solutions. He serves as the lead portfolio manager for the active asset Allocation Balanced and Quantitative Equity portfolios. He has responsibility for the strategic and tactical asset allocation used to manage portfolio risk in these balanced portfolios as well as individual stock selection and sector allocation in both balanced and equity only accounts.

Cornell received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Duke University and his Master of Business Administration degree in Finance from Emory University.

Cornell is an Eagle Scout and enjoys fly fishing and woodworking. He also serves in various capacities at his local church.