Jimmy Wales

Jimmy Donal "Jimbo" Wales (English: Jimmy Donal "Jimbo" Wales, also translated as James Wei in Hong Kong; August 8, 1966 -), American Internet entrepreneur and former trader. Co-founder of Wikipedia and Fandom (formerly Wikia). He is currently the Honorary Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Wikimedia Foundation and is recognized by the Board as the "Founder of the Organization". In addition, he has developed a number of projects, including Bomis, Nupedia, WikiTribune, WT Social, etc. Wells was born in Huntsville, Alabama, and attended the local Randolph School. He later earned a bachelor's degree in finance from Auburn University and a master's degree in finance from the University of Alabama. While in graduate school, he taught at two universities; he left before completing his Ph.D. in order to work in finance. Wells later became director of research at the Chicago Options Association. In 1996, he and two partners founded Bomis, a portal for men focusing on entertainment and adult content. The company later provided founding capital for Nupedia and its successor, Wikipedia. On January 15, 2001, Wells, Larry Sanger and others founded Wikipedia. Wikipedia grew rapidly, and Wells became the project's driving force and spokesperson. Wells is often cited as a co-founder of Wikipedia, although he sometimes questioned Sanger's role, claiming to be the sole founder. Wells currently serves on the Wikimedia Foundation's Board of Directors and is recognized by the Board as an "Organizational Founder." He delivers the annual "State of the Wiki" speech at the Wikimedia International Conference every year. In May 2006, Jimmy Wells was selected as one of Time's 100 Greatest People by Time Magazine.