Chief Development and Marketing Officer (CDMO)

Brian A. Cowart serves as the USO’s Chief Development and Marketing Officer, where he is responsible for all facets of the organization’s fundraising and marketing efforts. In this role, Cowart provides the strategic direction for the organization’s global development and marketing programs, its brand transformation initiative, expanding donor audiences, broadening the reach and impact of outreach messaging, and helping to continue the organization’s growth. Cowart joined the USO in January 2022 and serves on the Senior Leadership Team.

Previously, Cowart was the Chief Development Officer for Disabled American Veterans (DAV), where he oversaw all revenue generating activities, raising more than $140 million annually. During his tenure with the organization, he led the implementation of several new fundraising sources, broadening its supporter base and helping to elevate brand awareness. Before his time at DAV, he served as the Senior Vice President of Direct Marketing at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. He began his fundraising career at CARE, an organization dedicated to ending worldwide poverty.

Cowart holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Virginia. He is an active member of several professional membership organizations, including serving on the Board of The Nonprofit Alliance and as a past Chair Emeritus of the Direct Marketing Association Nonprofit Federation’s Advisory Board. He is also a previous recipient of Target Marketing Magazine’s Direct Marketer of the Year and Fundraising Success Magazine’s Fundraising Professional of the Year awards.

Cowart currently resides in Kentucky with his spouse, Angela, who is a veteran of the Air Force Reserve. They have three children.