Administrator, Office of Veterans Affairs
Mr. Bowen was appointed as the Director of Veterans Affairs for the State of Alaska May 2009. In this position his responsibilities include the development and the sustainment of comprehensive statewide Veterans Advocacy program between the veterans of Alaska, the State Legislator, The Governor, and the Veterans Administration. He also serves as the principal contact for Alaska’s 77,000 veterans, their dependants, and/or survivors, and numerous veterans’ organizations seeking assistance in accessing State or Federal programs and benefits.
Mr. Bowen was appointed by the Governor to the Alaskan Veterans Advisory Council in 2007 were he supported several initiatives supporting the Veterans of Alaska and their families. The initiatives included evaluations of individuals for the Governor’s Advocacy Award, support and evaluation of new Veterans Memorial Landmarks, the initiation of the Purple Heart license plate, and finally the program supporting free tuition for spouses of fallen service members.
Mr Bowen entered the active Air Force June 1981. He graduated Basic Military Training Lackland AFB, Texas, in Aug, then completed the Apprentice Graphics Course at Lowry AFB, Colorado, in December 1981. His first duty station was Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, where he was assigned to the 366 Combat Support Group. Between December 1981 and April 1986, Mr. Bowen worked in Graphics Photography, Audio Visual Maintenance, and Audio Visual Library. His largest project while assigned there was total briefing support for the EF-111 project. Mr. Bowen cross-trained in April 1986 and completed Communications-Computer Systems Control Technical School at Keesler AFB Mississippi. He then was assigned to the 1879th Communications Squadron at Falcon AFS, Colorado, as a systems controller. He supported the research and development of long-range communications pertaining to the Global Positioning System (GPS) and Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI).
In May 1989, Mr. Bowen was assigned to Det 7, 2003CG Izmir AS, Turkey. After arriving, he managed two work centers, Systems Control and Wideband Maintenance. This was in preparation for the deployment of the Defense Mediterranean Improvement Satellite Program. During this period he supported joint service missions in direct support of Operations DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM, and PROVIDE COMFORT. In July 1992, Mr. Bowen was assigned to the 3rd Communication Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. During this assignment, he installed the first Alaskan bandwidth management network, upgraded the Defense Switch Network to a multi-function switch, and deactivated the DSIN satellite facility, directly returning 9.1 million dollars to the DoD. During this assignment he deployed to Italy, Croatia, and Bosnia supporting a multi-national forces in Operations DELIBERATE GUARD, DELIBERATE FORGE, and DYNAMIC RESPONSE. While in theater he designed and installed telephone systems connecting commercial air traffic control towers allowing commercial air traffic back into the war torn region.
In Jun 2001, Mr. Bowen was accepted to fill a special assignment with the Defense Information System Agency-Alaska Field Office and after arriving, was assigned the project of statewide bandwidth management. He established all critical telecommunications infrastructures for 11th Air Force Battle Staff and played a pivotal role in establishing contingency communications in support of our nation’s response to the 11 September terrorist attacks. His superb technical knowledge allowed him to hold the position of Commander DISA Alaska filed office for 10 months. During this period he supported Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and NOBLE EAGLE. Mr. Bowen’s last position in the field office was Chief, Engineering Support, Alaska Field Office.
Education:
Mr. Bowen holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Information Systems and two Associates of Science degrees one in Information Systems Technology and one in Visual Information Systems.
Major Awards and Decorations:
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Air Force Commendation Medal (with 3 oak leaf clusters)
- Joint Service Achievement Medal
- Air Force Achievement Medal (with 1 oak leaf cluster)
- Joint Meritorious Unit Award (with 2 oak leaf clusters)
- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (with 9 oak leaf clusters)
- Air Force Good Conduct Medal (with 7 oak leaf clusters)
- National Defense Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Star)
- Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
- Southwest Asia Service Medal (with 2 Bronze Stars)
- Armed Forces Service Medal (with one oak leaf cluster)
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Humanitarian Service Medal
- Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
- Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon
- Air Force overseas Long Tour Ribbon (with 2 oak leaf clusters)
- Air Force Longevity Service Award (with 4 oak leaf clusters)
- NCO Professional Military Education Ribbon (with 2 oak leaf clusters)
- Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
- Air Force Training Ribbon
- NATO Medal (Clasp Former Yugoslavia)
- Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
- National Dean’s List 2004 and 2005
- Letter of Commendation Defense Security Service; Outstanding Security Program 2005
- Defense Information Systems Agency Professional of the Year 2001
- Air Force High Values Suggestion Award 1999
- Air Force Productivity Service Award 1998
- Pacific Individual Achievement Award for Innovations in Communications 1997
- Employee Involvement International Association Contributor of the Year 2nd runner up 1997
- Outstanding Productivity Contributing Employee 1997
- Air Force Communications and Information Professional of the Year 1996
Civilian Activities
Prior to accepting this appointment, Mr Bowen was employed in the following corporate positions: Director of Operations, Chenega Federal Systems LLC 08-09. In this position he served as an executive manager providing decision authority over 100 direct employees and numerous sub-contractors. During this period his operating budget was $100M. Also, his programs supported state and local government, the Joint Staff, National Institute of Justice, and Department of Defense.
As the Director Joint Information Technology Center Alaska 06-08 he provide decision authority over a $12 million dollar annual budget and 75 employees with 30 contractors. During this period he managed and led cross-functional teams in definition, analysis, development, and deployment of new applications to include existing product application enhancements for all software projects developed at the center. As a Senior Program Manager/Systems Analyst, he coordinated all local decision authority over a $10M DoD Joint Combat Support Data Initiative contract housed at the Joint Information Technology Information Center and provided oversight and direction to a 27-member staff on numerous funding and project issues. Also, during this period he was the primary security consultant to the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center – Northwest managing all internal and external security concerns addressed by the National Institute of Justice.
Community Activites History
- Veterans Advisory Council, State of Alaska Mar 2007 – Present
- Wasilla City Councilman (appointed) Jun 2005 – Oct 2005
- Wasilla City Councilman (appointed) Jan 2004 – Oct 2004
- Wasilla Planning and Zoning Commissioner Aug 1988 – Jan 2004
- Chairman Wasilla Parks and Recreation Commission 1987
- IRS Volunteer Income Tax Advisor 1995 – 1999