Tommy Sowers

Born and raised in Rolla, Missouri,{{Cite news|url=http://www.semissourian.com/story/1647334.html|title=The Truth About Tommy Sowers|date=2010-07-05|newspaper=seMissourian.com|access-date=2017-02-04}} Sowers graduated from Rolla High School in 1994 and lettered in both golf and soccer. During his senior year he cross enrolled in computer science at the University of Missouri at Rolla (later MS&T) and conducted research for the Bureau of Mines. He attended Duke University on an ROTC scholarship,{{cite web|url=http://blog.americansforthearts.org/about-americans-for-the-arts/board-of-directors/tommy-sowers|title=Tommy Sowers I ARTS Blog|website=americansforthearts.org|access-date=8 November 2016|archive-date=8 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108134622/http://blog.americansforthearts.org/about-americans-for-the-arts/board-of-directors/tommy-sowers|url-status=dead}} where he led both the ROTC detachment and the Interfraternity Council. He was a Rhodes finalist from Missouri and graduated cum laude with an A.B. in public policy in 1998.{{Cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/author/dr-tommy-sowers|title=Dr. Tommy Sowers {{!}} The Huffington Post|website=www.huffingtonpost.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-02-13}} Sowers went on to complete a PhD program at the London School of Economics in 2011. His dissertation was entitled "Nanomanagement--Superior Control and Subordinate Autonomy in Conflict" and it explored how technology adopted by hierarchical organizations dramatically affects how superiors monitor and direct the actions of subordinates.{{cite web|url=http://etheses.lse.ac.uk/155/1/Sowers_nanomanagement.pdf|title=Nanomanagement—Superior Control and Subordinate Autonomy in Conflict: Mid-level officers of the U.S. and British armies in Iraq (2003-2008)|last=Sowers|first=Thomas|date=2011-10-11}}

File:Sowers Military.jpg

In 1998, Sowers was commissioned in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. First assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, Sowers led a combat engineering platoon in the NATO campaign during the Kosovo War. While stationed in Germany, he represented his division in the Best Ranger Competition as well as an Eco challenge.{{Cite web|url=https://www.neh.gov/events/veterans2012/washington-dc-event-georgetown-university|title=Washington, D.C. Event at Georgetown University|website=National Endowment for the Humanities|language=en|access-date=2017-02-04|archive-date=2017-02-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205101324/https://www.neh.gov/events/veterans2012/washington-dc-event-georgetown-university|url-status=dead}} Between 2004 and 2006, while at 10th Special Forces Group, Sowers served two deployments in the Iraq war as a Green Beret, leading and advising U.S. and Iraqi units on counterinsurgency operations. During his 11-year military career, Sowers was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Military Freefall Badge, Ranger Tab, Special Forces Tab, Belgian Commando School Brevet, two Bronze Stars, Joint Service Commendation Medal, NATO Service Ribbon, and numerous Distinguished Honor Graduate awards. He left the Army with the rank of Major.{{cite web|url=http://www.westpoint.edu/sosh/SiteAssets/SitePages/Alumni%20Bios/Bios/Sowers.pdf|title=Westpoint Alumni Bios|website=www.westpoint.edu|access-date=8 November 2016|archive-date=29 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151029100704/http://www.westpoint.edu/sosh/SiteAssets/SitePages/Alumni%20Bios/Bios/Sowers.pdf|url-status=dead}}

File:Assistant Secretary of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs Tommy Sowers.jpg

File:VA's Connected Health Showcase July 30, 2013 (9404358242).jpg

On May 9, 2012, President Barack Obama nominated Sowers to be Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs at the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.{{cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2012/05/09/president-obama-announces-more-key-administration-posts |work=whitehouse.gov |title=President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts |via=National Archives |date=2012-05-09}} Sowers testified before the United States Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs on July 18, 2012 and was introduced to the committee by Senator Claire McCaskill.{{cite web|url=http://mccaskill.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1654 |title=McCaskill Recommends Missouri Native for Key Veterans Affairs Post |date=2012-07-19}} Sowers was confirmed by the full Senate on August 2, 2012,{{cite web|url=http://democrats.senate.gov/2012/08/02/senate-floor-wrap-up-for-thursday-august-2-2012/ |title=Senate Floor Wrap Up for Thursday, August 2, 2012 |date=2012-08-02}} at the time the youngest Senate confirmed Assistant Secretary in the nation, and was sworn into office on August 20, 2012.{{cite web |title=Tommy Sowers hearing before the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzn5h87Y5yY |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/uzn5h87Y5yY |archive-date=2021-12-20 |url-status=live|website=Youtube |access-date=17 October 2018}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web |title=Missouri native Sowers confirmed for Veterans Affairs position |url=https://www.joplinglobe.com/news/local_news/missouri-native-sowers-confirmed-for-veterans-affairs-position/article_32bd6397-ff51-5e8f-88db-b079e59e4ee0.html |website=Joplin Globe |date=3 August 2012 |access-date=17 October 2018}}

While at the VA, Sowers represented and advised the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on matters relating to media relations, public affairs, and intergovernmental affairs.{{cite web|url=http://www.va.gov/opa/bios/bio_sowers.asp |title=Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs |publisher=U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs |access-date=2014-01-21 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109031356/http://www.va.gov/opa/bios/bio_sowers.asp |archive-date=November 9, 2013 }} He has testified before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs regarding the VA's efforts to increase the number of veterans accessing their VA benefits. Sowers served as a primary spokesman for the VA, making appearances in numerous national print and televised media.{{cite news|url=http://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/veterans-affairs-lauds-technology-blames-pre |title= Veterans Affairs lauds technology, blames predecessors for 2-year claim wait| publisher=MSNBC.com |date=2013-03-27 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2013/08/visiting_va_official_tommy_sow.html |title=Visiting VA official Tommy Sowers says demand for veterans' services will only rise |publisher=The Oregonian |date=2013-08-02 }}{{cite news|url=http://bangordailynews.com/2012/12/19/health/many-maine-veterans-missing-out-on-benefits/ |title= Many Maine veterans missing out on benefits | publisher=Bangor Daily News |date=2012-12-19 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.myfoxchicago.com/story/23109845/veterans-compete-in-valor-games-midwest-at-soldier-field |title=Veterans compete in Valor Games Midwest at Soldier Field |date=2013-08-12 }} He served in the post until April 2014.

From 2006 to 2009, Sowers served as an assistant professor at the United States Military Academy at West Point, teaching courses in American Government, Advanced American Government and Media & Politics. While at West Point, Sowers led a cadet summer trip to India, focused on service learning in the Himalayas and interaction with the Tibetan Government in Exile, including an audience with the Dalai Lama. In fall 2009, Sowers taught in the History and Political Science Department at the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Missouri.{{Cite news|url=http://www.americansforthearts.org/about-americans-for-the-arts/board-of-directors/tommy-sowers|title=Tommy Sowers|newspaper=Americans for the Arts|access-date=2017-02-04|language=en|archive-date=2017-02-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205102412/http://www.americansforthearts.org/about-americans-for-the-arts/board-of-directors/tommy-sowers|url-status=dead}}

In April 2014, Sowers accepted a position as visiting faculty in the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University.{{Cite web|url=http://news.sanford.duke.edu/category/tommy-sowers|title=Tommy Sowers {{!}} Sanford School of Public Policy|website=news.sanford.duke.edu|access-date=2017-02-04}}

In 2018 he was reappointed as visiting faculty in Duke's Department of Political Science to teach the first iteration of Hacking for Defense in spring 2019.{{cite web |title=Hacking for Defense |url=https://www.h4di.org/ |website=H4Di |access-date=17 October 2018}}

In 2024, Sowers was appointed Faculty Lead for the Duke Initiative for Science & Society's Applied Technology Ethics program.{{Cite web|url=https://scienceandsociety.duke.edu/the-honorable-tommy-sowers-joins-duke-science-society-on-the-frontier-of-applied-technology-ethics/|title=The Honorable Tommy Sowers Joins Duke Science & Society on the Frontier of Applied Technology Ethics|website=scienceandsociety.duke.edu|language=en|access-date=2024-05-15}}

In 2011, Sowers became a management consultant with McKinsey and Company. During his time at McKinsey he was trained in their mini-MBA program and served private equity clients in assessing mergers and acquisitions, predominately in Latin America.

In 2015, Sowers, along with fellow founders Shayne Sowers and Narayan Krishnan, created a firm now known as GoldenKey an online marketplace in the real estate industry.

In March 2016, Fortune Magazine listed GoldenKey as a top Raleigh-Durham start-up to watch.{{cite web|title=Fortune Magazine|url=http://fortune.com/2016/03/13/tech-startup-companies-durham/|publisher=Fortune.com|access-date=6 November 2016}} During the summer 2016, Sowers led GoldenKey through its participation in the NFX Guild accelerator program.{{cite web|title=NF(x) Guild|url=http://www.nfx.com|website=nfx.com|access-date=6 November 2016}} In 2016, GoldenKey was named by CNN as one of the five startups "changing the real estate game".{{cite web|title=CNN Money|url=https://money.cnn.com/gallery/real_estate/2015/10/29/real-estate-startups/2.html|website=money.cnn.com|date=29 October 2015 |access-date=6 November 2016}}

In 2017, Forbes named Goldenkey as one of the top 25 veteran founded start-ups.{{cite web |title=The Top 25 Veteran-Founded Startups In America |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/marklrockefeller/2016/11/11/the-top-25-veteran-startups-in-america/#3c41eef26e84 |work=Forbes |access-date=17 October 2018}}

In 2018 Sowers rejoined federal service as Southeast Regional Director of MD5 National Security Technology Accelerator, a US Department of Defense program researching ways to improve the problem-solving capacity of war-fighters.{{cite web |title=DOD's National Security Technology Accelerator, MD5, Expands to the Southeast at American Underground |url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/dod-s-national-security-technology-accelerator-md5-expands-to-the-southeast-at-american-underground-852993073.html |website=Cision |access-date=17 October 2018}}

File:FlyExclusive MRO Facility Ribbon Cutting 2021.jpg

On July 7, 2021, flyExclusive, the fourth-largest Part 135 private jet operator named Tommy Sowers as President.{{Cite web |title=Newsroom {{!}} flyExclusive Doubles Down on Innovation and Expands Leadership Team {{!}} flyExclusive |url=https://flyexclusive.com//newsroom-posts/flyexclusive-doubles-down-on-innovation-and-expands-leadership-team |access-date=2022-08-30 |website=flyexclusive.com |language=en}}

{{See also|United States House of Representatives elections in Missouri, 2010#District 8}}

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In September 2009, Sowers announced his candidacy for Congress against incumbent Representative Jo Ann Emerson.{{cite web|url=http://www.rollcall.com/news/a_democratic_educator_and_army-60566-1.html|title=Army Veteran Challenging Missouri GOP Rep. Emerson|date=2009-09-09|publisher=Rollcall.com}} Libertarian Rick Vandeven and Independent Larry Bill also ran.

On Veterans Day 2009, former Clinton White House official Paul Begala featured Sowers in an op-ed, calling the candidate "everything you'd want in an up-and-coming young leader: brave and battle-tested, deeply rooted in his community and passionate about bringing change and progress to his long-neglected corner of Missouri."{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-begala/a-warrior-on-a-mission-in_b_353240.html|title=A Warrior on a Mission in Rush Limbaugh's Home District|last=Begala|first=Paul|date=2009-11-11|publisher=Huffingtonpost.com}}

In January 2010, Sowers traveled around all twenty-eight counties in the district in a project dubbed "Boots on the Ground." Sowers worked a job in every county, garnering a great deal of local press.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2010/02/tommy_sowers_lessons_learned_traveling_missour-ah_getting_shoulder_deep_in_a_cow.php/|title=Tommy Sowers: Lessons Learned Traveling Missour-ah, Getting "Shoulder Deep" in a Cow|date=2010-02-17|publisher=Riverfront Times}} Boots on the Ground's success led to a mention from former Governor of Vermont Howard Dean on MSNBC, predicting Sowers "is going to knock off, I think, Jo Ann Emerson." In July, Sowers embarked on Boots on the Ground II, again working a job in every county.{{cite news|url=http://www.semissourian.com/story/1645838.html|title=Tommy Sowers Puts His Boots on the Ground Again|date=2010-06-28|publisher=Southeast Missourian}}

Sowers was added to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's top races, the "Red to Blue" program.{{cite news|url=http://www.showmeprogress.com/diary/4646/tommy-sowers-a-credible-challenger-to-jo-ann-emerson|title=Tommy Sowers: a credible challenger to Jo Ann Emerson|date=2010-06-16|publisher=www.showmeprogress.com}}

Sowers raised over $1.5 million in the 2010 cycle. Sowers out raised all of his opponents, including Emerson, two out of the four quarters.{{cite web|url=http://www.semissourian.com/story/1650361.html|title=Emerson, Sowers reach $1 million in campaign funding|last=Keller|first=Rudi|date=2010-07-18|publisher=Southeast Missourian}} Sowers was endorsed by General Wesley Clark and his organization VoteVets, which aims to put more veterans in Congress.{{cite news|url=http://www.votevets.org/news/?id=0271|title=Vets Endorse Fellow Veteran Sowers in Missouri 8th District Race|date=2009-12-10|publisher=VoteVets.org}} He was also endorsed by two Medal of Honor recipients: Retired Colonel Jack H. Jacobs and former U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey.{{cite web|url=http://dailyjournalonline.com/news/local/four-candidates-vie-for-th-district-seat/article_462c994c-def6-11df-869d-001cc4c002e0.html|title=Daily Journal Online|website=dailyjournalonline.com/|access-date=8 November 2016}}

In a profile in mid-April, Politico's Jonathan Martin called Sowers "one of the party's most promising recruits."{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0410/36088.html|title=Sowers on offense in defensive year|last=Martin|first=Jonathan|date=2010-04-20|publisher=Politico.com}} In August, Sowers released his first ad, Combat Bible, which highlighted his military credentials. The ad was met with praise from Politico's Ben Smith, who called the ad "How to run against a GOP incumbent in red America this year."{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0710/How_to_run_against_a_GOP_incumbent_in_Red_America_this_year.html?showall|title=How to run against a GOP incumbent in red America this year|last=Smith|first=Ben|date=2010-07-07|publisher=Politico.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7zgMrZVtq4&feature=player_embedded |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/Z7zgMrZVtq4 |archive-date=2021-12-20 |url-status=live|title=Combat Bible|date=2010-07-06|publisher=Sowers for Congress}}{{cbignore}}

On Election Day, Emerson defeated Sowers with 65% of the vote.{{cite web|url=http://www.semissourian.com/story/1677791.html|title=Emerson beats Sowers for ninth U.S. House term|date=2010-11-03|publisher=Southeast Missourian}} After his congressional campaign, Sowers worked as the Senior Advisor to the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. As Senior Advisor, Sowers represented his generation of veterans, speaking and attending various conferences from Renaissance Weekends, TED Global, Aspen Institute's security forum and the Clinton Global Initiative.{{cn|date=August 2022}}

During his campaign, Sowers received national attention for his call to end the conventional war in Afghanistan, criticizing the objective of training the Afghanistan National Army and Police.{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tommy-sowers/who-will-pay-for-the-afgh_b_656507.html|title=Who Will Pay for the Afghan Military?|last=Sowers|first=Tommy|date=2010-07-22|work=The Huffington Post|access-date=2010-09-16}} In September 2010, Sowers appeared on Joe Scarborough's Morning Joe and The Ed Show to call for an end to the war in Afghanistan.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWFjWaog6Ts |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/hWFjWaog6Ts |archive-date=2021-12-20 |url-status=live|title=Tommy calls for an end to the war in Afghanistan on Morning Joe|date=|publisher=Youtube.com|access-date=2010-09-13}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjsyEGM2Kdw&feature=channel |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/CjsyEGM2Kdw |archive-date=2021-12-20 |url-status=live|title=Tommy Sowers on The Ed Show|date=|publisher=Youtube.com|access-date=2010-09-14}}{{cbignore}} In October, he was profiled on the front page of the Washington Post.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/11/AR2010101107125.html|title=Combat veteran Sowers calls for end to wars in bid for House seat in Missouri|last=Jaffe|first=Greg|date=2010-10-12|newspaper=Washington Post}} The article sympathized with the idea of “popular indifference” as the defining feature of the Nation’s engagement with the war, acknowledging Sowers uphill battle to get voters to recognize the war as a pressing issue and not just an unpleasant distant news item.{{cite news |title=Combat veteran Sowers calls for end to wars in bid for House seat in Missouri |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/11/AR2010101107125.html?noredirect=on&sid=ST2010101107138 |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=17 October 2018}}

After his 2010 Congressional campaign Sowers started working in the nonprofit sector with Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans of America.

In 2015 he was elected to the Americans for the Arts Board of Directors for a three-year term. The organization focuses on the advancement of arts and arts education in America.{{cite web |title=TOMMY SOWERS JOINS AMERICANS FOR THE ARTS BOARD OF DIRECTORS |url=https://www.americansforthearts.org/news-room/press-releases/tommy-sowers-joins-americans-for-the-arts-board-of-directors |website=Americans for the Arts |access-date=17 October 2018}}

He is a co-creator of the Lincoln Awards{{cite web |title=The Lincoln Awards |url=http://www.thelincolnawards.org/abou |website=The Lincoln Awards |access-date=17 October 2018 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} a concert for Veterans & The Military Family that recognizes outstanding achievement and excellence in providing opportunities and support to our nation’s veterans and military families. It was nationally broadcast on PBS and hosted by the Kennedy Center.{{cite web |title=Lincoln Awards |url=http://www.pbs.org/program/lincoln-awards/ |website=PBS |access-date=17 October 2018}}

From 2017-2018 he served on the board of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization{{cite web |title=Entrepreneurs' Organization |url=http://www.eonetwork.org |website=Entrepreneurs' Organization |access-date=17 October 2018 |archive-date=11 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311193822/https://www.eonetwork.org/ |url-status=dead }} in the Raleigh Durham chapter, where he is still a current member.

Sowers resides in Kinston, North Carolina with his wife and four daughters.

{{Reflist}}

;Articles

• Livengood, Chad. [http://www.news-leader.com/article/20091013/BLOGS09/91013030/Sowers+raises++204K+in+bid+to+challenge+Emerson "Sowers raises $204K in bid to challenge Emerson"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091018075314/http://www.news-leader.com/article/20091013/BLOGS09/91013030/Sowers+raises++204K+in+bid+to+challenge+Emerson |date=2009-10-18 }}, The Springfield News-Leader, October 13, 2009
• Martin, Jonathan. [http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1109/Begala_makes_case_for_Dem_vet_on_Vets_Day.html?showall "Begala makes case for Dem vet on Vets' Day"], POLITICO, November 11, 2009
• [http://www.swingstateproject.com/diary/6214/dccc-announces-twentysix-races-to-watch "DCCC Announces Twenty-Six Races to Watch"] Swing State Project, January 15, 2010
• Keller, Rudi. [http://www.semissourian.com/story/1627243.html "Sowers shrinking fundraising gap with Emerson"], Southeast Missourian, April 18, 2010
• Klein, Joe. [http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2089337,00.html "The New Greatest Generation"], Time Magazine, August 29, 2011
• Zoroya, Gregg. [https://www.usatoday.com/story/nation/2014/06/18/veteran-awards-friars-club-lincoln/10749155/ "Introducing the Lincoln: An award for veterans"], USA Today, June 18, 2014

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