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.
Mark joined the Minnesota Air National Guard (MANG) in 1968, attended Boot Camp at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and reached the rank of Staff Sergeant. At about this time (1971) he was offered a commission as a 2nd Lt and was assigned to flight school (navigator) at Mather Air Force Base. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the 148 Fighter Group, 179th Fighter interceptor Squadron based in Duluth, MN.
Mark also attended advanced fighter training, land survival school, water survival school, and other training. He served as an appointee 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 first as an overseas operations officer (clandestine service under cover) and later as Assistant Legislative Counsel to the Director of Central Intelligence. Following his tenure at the CIA, Mark was Counsel to the House of Representatives Committee on Official Conduct (Ethics).
Mark, 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, Mark grew that public affairs firm to become the second largest in its class in just six years.
Thereafter, Mark 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. Mark 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 to the former Laura Macomber and has been for 44 years. While currently living in Connecticut, they spent the lion’s share of the last 40 years living in Northern Virginia with second homes on Kiawah Island, South Carolina. They have two children and two grandsons. Mattie, the oldest, lives with her husband Bryan and son Teddy in Alexandria, Va. Their second child Travis resides in Dallas with his wife Hattie and their son Russell. Mark and Laura have had numerous pets including currently two full-size poodles – Aspen and Marnie. And a wild cat – Charlie.
After an unsuccessful deceased donor kidney transplant, Mark needed to start dialysis in April 2025. His hopes are to find a living kidney donor which gives him a better chance for a longer life full of health and more time spent with his loved ones.
For medically cleared donors, giving the gift of life through living kidney donation has been proven to be very safe. DOVE will assist all prospective donors throughout the process and make sure they do not incur any out-of-pocket expenses related to the evaluation or surgery. A healthy person can live a normal life with one kidney and save Mark’s life with the other!
Your support, whether through spreading the word on social media or considering becoming a donor, can make a profound impact on his life and the life of his family!
Please click on the link below if you would like to learn more OR call (551) 233-1611