Honorable Mayor John Cowen, Jr. is a distinguished public servant whose vision and dedication have significantly impacted the City of Brownsville. He is a 6th generation Brownsvillian and comes from a family with a history of service to the Brownsville community. Elected in 2019 to serve as Brownsville City Commissioner At-Large “A” and then in 2023 to serve as Mayor, Mr. Cowen has been instrumental in leading key initiatives aimed at enhancing the City’s economy, infrastructure, quality of life, and long-term development. Mayor Cowen is dedicated to developing partnerships that lead the way for major investments in industries like aerospace and manufacturing, supporting entrepreneurship, and advancing large-scale projects via the City’s economic engines the Greater Brownsville EDC and the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation. His administration has also secured significant funding for infrastructure improvements, including transportation systems, water services, and broadband expansion. Key priorities during his administration also include the City’s Capital Improvement Program, the Parks, Health and Wellness Master Plan, the Downtown Revitalization Master Plan, the Gladys Porter Zoo Master Plan, and the Housing Master Plan. In addition, the mayor is collaborating with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley leading the “Taskforce of the Future,” where he is working to expand educational opportunities for Brownsville students on the Brownsville campus. Currently, over 3,000 new student seats have been added to the scholastic semester. He is one of 47 mayors from 17 countries participating in a world-class cohort designed to strengthen city leadership and quality of life for residents. The cohort’s goal is to create long-term partnerships with schools, gyms, and our parks system to eradicate Type 2 diabetes by 2035. He is promoting community-focused programs such as the B.R.I.G.H.T. initiative for neighborhood beautification. And he also launched a sustainable citywide recycling program. Through partnerships with local public and private industries, these partnerships collectively aim to position Brownsville as a more economically competitive, modern, and livable city. Beyond his public service, Mayor Cowen is the President of Cowen Group, Ltd. and leads the company in customs brokerage, warehousing and distribution, and commercial real estate. His insights on economic development, regional growth, and binational relations have made him a sought-after speaker at major forums, including incMTY, the Texas Tribune Festival, YTexas, the North Capital Forum, and the Yale School of Management. Mayor Cowen contributes his expertise to several organizations. He serves as Vice Chair for Border Policy, Criminal, and Social Justice Standing Committee with the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Serves as Chair of the South Texas Alliance of Cities and Vice Chair of the Rio Grande Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization. He is a Board Member of the Border Trade Alliance, Border Trade Alliance-Mexico, and the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council. He is a board member of the International Bank of Commerce Board of Directors. Additionally, he holds an Ex-Officio Member position on the Brownsville Public Utilities Board. He has also served as Chairman of the Greater Brownsville EDC, Chairman of the City of Brownsville Audit & Oversight Committee, and held directorships at the Texas Business Leadership Council, the Saint Joseph Academy Endowment, and the Brownsville Community Foundation. A licensed U.S. Customs Broker, Mayor Cowen graduated with honors from the University of Notre Dame, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Finance. Through his leadership, he continues to advance initiatives that position the city as a thriving hub for business and investment.