My Qualifications & Experience

15 Years High-Level Sports Executive

I served in various roles over the decade and a half I worked in professional sports management, at various stages overseeing entire business operations, sports operations, and/or both. I was fortunate enough to learn from some of the most talented and gifted leaders in the industry, many of whom helped guide my philosophies as a leader. One of the most valuable lessons I learned during my time in sports-management career was that almost nothing impacted positive culture and winning more than proactive, deliberate, and effective leadership. When an organization has powerful and intentional leaders, it almost always translates to a winning culture, a healthy work environment, and trust among team members. Members of an organization that trust one another can have meaningful and constructive debate and good faith disagreements. When those members genuinely care about the collective whole more than individual accomplishment, that organization is far more likely to be consistently successful, and far more likely to achieve the internal goals and vision for that success.

I believe much of my career experience as a sports executive will translate to being a highly effective board member, and here are a few examples:

1.) Participated in high-level and complex labor negotiations with both individual players, coaches, staff, and player unions, including player contracts, coaching contracts, and collective bargaining agreements.

2.) Built and launched three expansion professional sports teams from brand development and launch, to building P&L statements, hiring staff, securing partnerships, and executing live events.

3.) Was a part of executing thousands of live sporting events from ticket sales and marketing, to PR, in-game entertainment, game day operations, security, guest services, and everything in between.

4.) Negotiated seven-figure corporate partnership agreements to secure meaningful business and community impact.

5.) Hired, trained, and developed business teams while also establishing culture and companywide policy.

I believe all of this experience will be helpful in the primary role of a board member, to develop and pass impactful policy, and will be valuable as I navigate all of the challenges our district faces.

Proven Leader

I was fortunate enough to be a part of five different championship organizations. I know what great leadership looks like and the monumental impact it can have on winning, on the culture of an organization, and on the individual success of its members. I have also experienced how toxic an organization can become when there is a breakdown or absence of effective leadership, and how that makes it almost impossible to achieve any level of consistent success or individual development and growth.

In my experience, you can't win in business, in sports, in education, or any group endeavor without powerful and inspiring leaders. Period. I worked with some very special groups throughout my sports-career journey, and nothing was more satisfying than when we accomplished a collective goal, which then led to everyone enjoying individual success and growth. When you care more about the collective than you do personal aspirations or agendas, you can break down walls and change the world together.

I will be a leader who helps unify our district, our schools, and staff, and our community. We don't all view the world the same way, have the same morals, values, or ideologies, but we do all have one shared goal: to give all of our kids a world-class education and provide a runway for them to leave the world a better place than they found it. Revere is a great place to get an education, but we have not reached our potential. We can become the best district in the state and one of the best in the country if and when we collectively work together and share in that vision. That starts with strong leadership that helps us navigate some of the current divisiveness and polarization in the world today. I also believe leaders need to be vulnerable and surround themselves with a talented support system. Even during this campaign, I have felt enormous support and have been fortunate to listen and learn from some incredibly brilliant community members. I don't have all the answers, and I have a lot to learn but I'm a quick learner. I will always surround myself with a smart, passionate, and well-meaning support system that can help me become the most productive board member I can be.

Revere & Collegiate Athlete

My high school and collegiate athletic career gave me invaluable life lessons about dedication, hard work, leadership, teamwork, competition, and grit. My experiences as an athlete were crucial factors in who I am and how I approach being a husband, father, executive, business owner, and leader. There are very few days when I don't draw from those experiences; they've helped shape my value system and given me endless drive and determination to impact the world. I've built lasting and meaningful relationships both as an athlete and sports-management professional, that have helped me accomplish my own goals and continue to support me along this journey.

I played basketball and tennis at a hundred miles an hour. Relentlessly, tenaciously, and I always left everything I had on the court. That is how I intend to attack this position. If you entrust me to serve this community on the Revere school board, you will get my entire heart and soul, passion, energy, and positivity. I'm a true eternal optimist that believes in the good that exists in humanity, even in the midst of the most trying times. I will do everything possible to be the best teammate I can be to the other four board members.

Local Entrepreneur

Both the Bowler side and the Kerkian side of my family have in some way, shape, or form been proud business owners in this community dating back to 1973. Back from his service in Vietnam and headed to The University of Akron School of Law, my father, along with my Uncle Al, both Revere graduates, opened Wineberry, a small wine and cheese store at Hammond's Corner. Over the years, the business morphed into many others, ultimately culminating in the opening of Gasoline Alley, which is still owned and operated by my Aunt Sue. Corkscrew Johnny's came along not too long after and has been a staple in Richfield since 2006. It was always a dream of mine to follow in the footsteps of the entrepreneurial spirit my relatives fostered and create a legacy of my own right here in Bath and Richfield. When my wife and I made the decision to move home, I partnered with my cousin Jonathan Kerkian, and together we own and operate Corkscrew Johnny's.

We love living in Bath/Richfield community, and we are invested in and building our future directly tied to the local business community. We aren't done yet and will continue to look for opportunities to expand our business portfolio in ways that will add value to our residents. We are very proud local small business owners, and we take that responsibility very seriously. Our goal is to build businesses that everyone here can be proud of, create jobs, and contribute to a thriving business community.

My approach and experience as an entrepreneur will also certainly be useful as a board member. Anybody who has ever owned or run a small business knows the challenge of operating within razor-thin profit margins. They know the challenge of managing a limited budget and balancing that with the importance of investing in your people and the infrastructure of your organization. Small business owners are also keenly aware of how policy can have an enormous impact on their efficiency and overall success. I want to invest in our kids' futures while also being a fiscally responsible board member. My experience as a business owner will be invaluable in that pursuit.

Dad To Three Future Minutemen

My wife Sandra and my three boys: Aram Gabriel Bowler (5), Banks Cleveland Bowler (3), Caio Kerkian Bowler (1). My world revolves around my family, and they give me the motivation for all the good I want to do in the world. My boys will all be Minutemen starting with Aram at Richfield Elementary School this fall. The third generation of Bowler/Kerkians to walk the halls of Revere schools, and we have an enormous sense of pride for what that means. My hope for my boys is that they leave a lasting legacy of kindness, compassion, joy, and positivity for Revere schools and that they make an impact that will carry on long after they have graduated.

My personal interest in the success of Revere schools is obvious, but I will share that same passion and energy for the success of all the kids in our community. I will fight for policy that advances educational opportunities for kids of all stages of development and skill and do my part to ensure they have a safe and welcoming learning experience in all of our buildings. It's not hyperbole when I say I want to help these kids turn into world changers. To make an impact far beyond the walls of Revere Local Schools or the boundaries of Richfield and Bath. Our kids' success will be a direct testament to the environment we all create for them. As a Revere Board of Education member, I will work with the administration, teachers, staff, and the community to ensure our policies are conducive to supporting an exceptional learning environment.

75 Year Family History In Bath Community

The Bowlers moved to Bath in 1951. The Kerkians in 1953. For the better part of 75 years, my family has called Bath home. Who are we? We are combat veterans, teachers, principals, administrators, scholars, engineers, artists, writers, entrepreneurs, builders, athletes, and proud. We are American, we are immigrants, we are black, white, Armenian, Romanian, English, Scottish, Korean, Jewish, straight, gay, trans, and everything in between. We are proud of who we are and where we come from, including our deeply rooted connection to this community.

I think it is important when asking for your vote, that you know who you are voting for and what drives their core value system. We are all molded by people and experiences, and most importantly and significantly by the family we grew up around. In our family, it's all about love and kindness; for each other, for the world around us, and for our fellow human beings. We welcome you no matter what you look like, where you are from, or who you love.

So when you elect me to represent you on the Revere Board of Education, you can be absolutely certain that I will represent ALL of you, no matter where your story began, what your family looks like, and no matter how aligned or not our views on the world are. My goal is to bring us all together for the betterment of every family in Bath and Richfield. NO POLITICS. Just progress, together.