John G. Lowe was installed as State Commander for the VFW, Department of California on June 12, 2020. Before this, he served as State Sr Vice Commander (19/20) and the State Jr. Vice Commander (18/19).
John enlisted in the Army in 1982. After basic training and Military Police School at Fort McClellan, Ala., he attended Quartermaster School at Fort Lee, Va. In 1983, he volunteered for Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga., and upon graduation was assigned to the 82nd Military Police Col, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. In 1984, he was reassigned to Headquarters Co., 50th Signal Bn. (Airborne), also at Fort Bragg.
John participated in Operation Urgent Fury, the invasion of Grenada. He completed 23 military parachute jumps while in the service and also attended Jungle Warfare School in Panama.
In recognition of his military service, John earned the Army Commendation medal (three awards), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Parachutists Badge, Expert Rifleman’s Badge, and Jungle Expert Badge.
In 1985, following his discharge, he began a career as an accountant in the nonprofit sector working for such distinguished organizations as the San Diego Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He has nearly 25 years’ experience in accounting, database management, and non profit administration. He is currently the Director of Finance and Operations at the Powerhouse Science Center in Sacramento, CA.
In 1989, he joined VFW Post 1614 in La Cresenta, Calif., and is currently a Gold Legacy Life member in Post 2111 in Chula Vista, Calif. John has served in numerous leadership roles at the Post, District, State and National levels, including All-State Post Quartermaster and Commander in 1995 and as District 10 Commander in 1997. In 2000, he was elected State Quartermaster and appointed State Adjutant, where he served in this role until 2008.
In October 2008, John was appointed as Deputy Director of the National VFW Foundation, where he ultimately became Director in March 2010. He served in this role until 2012.
He served on the National POW/MIA Committee and was appointed Chairman of the National Buddy Poppy Committee in 2003. He also served as a member of the National By-Laws Study Group from 2006 to 2011.
He is a graduate of the University of San Francisco, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and an Executive MBA from Rockhurst University’s Helzberg School of Business.
John is a member of the American Legion, 82nd Airborne Association, and the US Army Association. He and his wife Kathry and three daughters, Jennifer, Audrey, and Emily, reside in Sacramento, CA. He spends his free time coaching girls competitive softball and loves improving upon his cooking and photography skills.
