Hello, I'm the Other Guy
My name is Jay J. Bowman, and yes, the middle name is just an initial. (I’ve always suspected my parents couldn’t agree on names, so they settled on letters.)
I was born in Michigan, where I spent my early years in a quiet lakeside town, surrounded by towering forests and winters that leave a lasting impression. The cold, the snow, the stillness — they shaped my appreciation for simplicity and resilience.
At eight, my family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah — a place that would become my true home. The mountains called to me. So did the deserts. I spent my youth hunting, fishing, and skiing, learning early that freedom isn’t just a right; it’s a responsibility.
My father worked three jobs to keep us afloat. Long hours. No shortcuts. Eventually, he started his own small business, which lit a fire in me. I saw what it meant to build something from nothing. That entrepreneurial spirit never left.
After my parents divorced, my mother went back to school at the University of Utah and earned her degree — and yes, we even took some classes together. She didn’t stop there. She traveled the world on archaeological digs, proving that learning doesn’t end with a diploma.
My father ran his business with pride until cancer took him too soon. His loss taught me that time is precious, and that legacy is built through action.
At 24, I left college to start my own business. It wasn’t the traditional path, but it was mine. I’ve loved every challenge, every risk, every reward of being a small business owner.
In the early 1990s, I moved to Kentucky for a new opportunity. The Commonwealth welcomed me, my family, and my work.
Kentucky's been good to us. Now, I believe it’s time to give back.
I was lucky to be born in this great nation.
Even luckier to have lived a life full of chance, challenge, and purpose.
And I’m ready to work for a future that offers the same to everyone.
Contact
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect.
Bowman for Congress
157 N. Limestone, STE 260-A Lexington, KY 40507
My Story
I haven’t held a traditional job since I was twenty-four — that’s when I started my own business, using my last paycheck as seed money.
From those humble beginnings, I’ve built successful companies from the ground up, learning hard lessons and celebrating hard-earned wins along the way.
I’ve faced setbacks, like overspending on equipment early on, and milestones, like building my first shop.
Each challenge and success has shaped me, teaching resilience, adaptability, and the value of perseverance, qualities I believe are essential for effective leadership in public service.
Over the decades, I’ve worked in construction, heavy hybrid technology, AI power electronics systems, AI-targeted pest control, and advanced AI CubeSat satellite thruster designs.
This diverse experience has given me a unique perspective on the real-world challenges small businesses face — and the innovation they’re capable of when given the chance.
As a public servant, my goal is to create an environment where young entrepreneurs have the same opportunities this country gave me.
I’ll fight for policies that foster innovation, reduce unnecessary red tape, and level the playing field.
By sharing my journey, the struggles, the lessons, and the victories, I hope to empower the next generation of business leaders and help drive lasting economic growth for Kentucky and our nation.