Professional Services 2025: BOWLES, MARK

Bowles was one of the founding senior vice presidents when McGuireWoods Consulting formed in 1998, and he became chairman of the 120-employee public affairs firm in 2018. He’s also a partner with law firm McGuireWoods, the consulting firm’s parent company and Virginia’s largest law firm.

As a lawyer and consultant, Bowles focuses on government relations and public affairs. He works on varying issues, including those related to health care, energy, technology and higher education.

Before McGuireWoods, he served as chief of staff to Democratic U.S. Rep. L.F. Payne and was counsel for a multistate utility. He also served as an assistant attorney general in Virginia after graduating from the University of Richmond’s law school. Bowles earned his bachelor’s degree from James Madison University.

Bowles also served on the finance committee for former Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s campaign and was finance co-chair for his inauguration, as well as co-chair of former Gov. Ralph Northam’s inaugural committee.

A former University of Virginia Board of Visitors member, Bowles serves on the foundation advisory board for U.Va.’s Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy and the advisory board for The Center for Politics at U.Va.

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