Honorable Mayor John Cowen, Jr. is a distinguished public servant whose vision and dedication have significantly impacted the City of Brownsville. He is a 6

th generation Brownsvillian, who comes from a family with a history of service to the Brownsville community. He is dedicated to advancing the City’s prosperity, competitiveness, and quality of life.

Mr. Cowen was elected Mayor of Brownsville in 2023 after serving as City Commissioner At-Large “A” starting in 2019.

In addition to his role as Mayor, Mr. Cowen is President of Cowen Group, Ltd., a company specializing in customs brokerage, warehousing and distribution, real estate, and development. His expertise in economic development and cross-border trade has positioned him as a respected voice at national and international forums, including the Texas Tribune Festival, Yale School of Management, and the North Capital Forum.

Mayor Cowen serves in key leadership roles across regional and national organizations, including the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative; the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Criminal & Social Justice Standing Committee; the South Texas Alliance of Cities (STAC); the Border Trade Alliance (BTA); the Rio Grande Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization; the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council; and the Brownsville Public Utilities Board (BPUB).

A licensed U.S. Customs Broker, Mayor Cowen is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance. Through his work, he continues to champion initiatives that strengthen Brownsville as a hub for business, investment, and binational cooperation.