Mark Cowan

Mark Cowan draws on more than 35 years of experience working on complex domestic and international public policy issues as counsel for a broad range of clients. He advises corporations, government entities, and foreign sovereigns on a wide array of business, regulatory, and trade issues.

His career is expansive and varied, having served among others, as a former Captain in the U.S. Air Force, in the administrations of U.S. Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, on the Trump Transition Team, and with the CIA.

Mr. Cowan, a lawyer, has headed three companies of his own and has been a senior partner at Patton Boggs, LLP, an AM Law 100 firm, wherein he both created and directed the firm’s Business Development Department and effort for over 500 lawyers. Having founded The Jefferson Group in 1987, Mr. Cowan grew that public affairs firm to become the second largest in its class in just six years. Thereafter, he was Vice Chairman of Cassidy & Associates, Washington’s largest public affairs company, CEO of the Columbus Group, CEO of Newmyer Associates, and a Senior Vice President at Hill and Knowlton, one of the world’s largest public relations firms, where he counseled numerous domestic and international clients.

Mark is actively involved in several organizations. He pledged Phi Sigman Kappa Fraternity in 1968 and served in leadership roles, including two terms as President. He continues to contribute as Vice President for Development on the Board of Directors for the Phi Sig Foundation.

Additionally, he serves on the board of DC Scores, an inner-city soccer and literacy program in Washington, DC, and on the Board of Directors for the Lowcountry, South Carolina, chapter of the Red Cross. He is a Trustee of Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law, Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Virginia Military Institute’s International Studies Program, and a member of the Board of Trustees for Americans in Wartime Experience.

Professionally, Mark is a member of the Virginia State Bar and the DC Bar Association.

Outside of his professional and philanthropic commitments, he is a member of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, The Army & Navy Club of Washington, DC, the Association of Former Intelligence Officers, The Daedalyon Society, and The Porsche Club of North America. He is married with two children, two grandchildren, and two full-size poodles