Honorable Mayor John Cowen, Jr. is a sixth-generation Brownsvillian whose leadership and commitment to public service have had a lasting impact on the City of Brownsville. He was elected City Commissioner At-Large “A” in 2019 and later elected Mayor in 2023, where he has helped lead initiatives that strengthen the city’s economic growth, regional competitiveness, and quality of life. In addition to his public service, Mayor Cowen serves as President of Cowen Group, Ltd., overseeing customs brokerage, warehousing and distribution, commercial real estate, and multi-family development. His expertise in economic development and binational trade has made him a frequent speaker at major forums including incMTY, the Texas Tribune Festival, YTexas, the North Capital Forum, and the Yale School of Management. Mayor Cowen serves in several leadership roles, including Vice Chair for Border Policy, Criminal, and Social Justice with the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Vice Chair of the Rio Grande Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization. He is a licensed U.S. Customs Broker and a graduate of the University of Notre Dame