Former Jacksonville City Council member and JAXUSA Partnership executive Aaron Bowman has been named the leader of USO Florida.
The USO announced in a Jan. 24 news release that Bowman, a former U.S. Navy pilot and commanding officer, would join the organization effective Jan. 29.
He will be responsible for leadership, fund development and oversight of service delivery across the state, including oversight of USO centers in Jacksonville and eight other Florida locations.
Bowman served 28 years in the Navy, retiring as a captain after serving as commanding officer of Naval Station Mayport from 2007-10.
Lisa Marie Riggins, regional president of the USO Southeast Region, said in the release that Bowman “brings a seasoned leadership voice to the USO, and military and business communities throughout the state.”
Bowman spent eight years on the Council, representing District 3. He was Council president in 2018-19.
In 2012 he joined JAXUSA, the JAX Chamber’s economic development division, where he served as vice president of business development. There, according to the USO, Bowman helped recruit companies that were responsible for creating 35,000 jobs in the region.
Bowman announced Jan. 4 on social media that he was leaving JAXUSA.
The USO statement indicated Bowman would work toward expanding the organization’s support for military members and their families throughout the state.
“I am honored to assume this important role to expand the USO’s mission delivery and outreach support throughout Florida,” Bowman said.
A 1983 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Bowman began his career as a pilot at Cecil Field in Jacksonville flying the F/A-18 Hornet fighter/attack jet and A-7 Corsair attack jet.