Marc Bowen

What’s your current position? How long have you been in this position? Can you give me a brief overview of what it is you do in your work? 

I am the president of Reuther & Bowen, p.c. which is a 24-person consulting structural and civil engineering & steel detailing firm located in Dunmore, pa.  We primarily practice in NJ, NY and PA, but we go beyond this as well. This is my 10th year as owner of the company and the 21st year of the firm. My role is multi-faceted and includes overseeing the engineering design of building and site development projects on a wide variety of market sectors. This includes; academic buildings for colleges & universities, hospitals & assisted living facilities, multi-family housing, public and private k-12 schools, industrial buildings, high rise structures, research laboratories, and others.  My other responsibilities include marketing / business development activities, client relations and long-range strategic planning.

What would you say most motivates you to do the work you do? What are you most passionate about? 

I am passionate about having the opportunity to play a significant and meaningful role within a team design professionals and contractors on challenging transformational projects.  We are fortunate to often be involved with projects that help to further the mission of owners, institutional clients, and government entities while also improving the social and economic conditions of the region they serve.  I like to be in situations that require a high degree of innovative thought and coming up with solutions that propel projects forward, or more simply…being a “problem solver”.

Where did you grow up and did you go to a college/trade school after high school? Where did you go, and what was that like? How did you end up in NEPA?

I was born in Scranton and my parents moved to the North Pocono school district when I was in grade school. After high school I attended Penn state at university park where I earned a bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering with an emphasis in structural engineering.  The engineering curriculum was very challenging, competitive and demanded extreme dedication, but my high school experience and the work ethic engrained in me through my upbringing led me through it.  After college, I moved to New York City and spent about 3 years working there before getting married. Shortly after marriage, I decided to leave the firm I was with to move back to nepa.  My wife and I wanted to live here and raise our children here because we love the quality of life.  We also enjoy being close to our families and loved ones – most of whom are here too.

Did you have any key mentors or people who deeply influenced who you are? Tell a bit about them and what they did that influenced you.  

Growing up, my parents were the biggest influencers on me.  My father started a contracting business at a young age and has a work ethic beyond what I have ever witnessed in another person. That work ethic rubbed off on me, and I developed a passion for architecture and engineering by working alongside him for many summers. This, along with his unparalleled talent and skill in construction and other areas of life inspired me to excel to the fullest in every endeavor – and to take risks.  My mother was highly instrumental in inspiring me to excel academically and to push hard in life to overcome challenges – but to also stay focused on the importance of family.

How did you learn about Leadership Lackawanna? In what class year and program did you participate? Describe your experience. How did the program affect you post-graduation? What has your involvement with leadership Lackawanna been post-graduation?

I was offered the opportunity to join leadership Lackawanna through a former employer and graduated with the class of 2003.  I made some good friends and some business contacts through the program and gained a deeper appreciation for the area where I grew up and live today.  The group that I served on in that class started the annual business plan competition (which was through the great valley technology alliance).  This competition helped to spark several small businesses that are still going strong.  I am very proud to have played a small role in that.  Since graduating I served on the board for a few terms and have been a member of the alumni association.  Last year I recruited and sponsored one of my employees in the program because I feel that there is enormous value gained from the experience for young professionals.  I also support the program’s mission to help inspire leadership in our community and the region at large.  The benefits to our region through leadership Lackawanna are countless.  I am thankful for my past experiences with the program and have no doubt that it will continue to be a valuable resource and catalyst for growth in the area well into the future.