Matt Cowles currently serves as the Deputy Director of the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) where he also served as Director of Government Relations from 2009 to 2015. In this role, he works with the Executive Director on the strategic priorities and management of the association while maintaining direct responsibility for the staff, budget, and priorities of the Washington, D.C. office where he is the liaison between State emergency management directors, Members of Congress, Federal agencies, and partner organizations. During his tenure, Cowles coordinated significant progress on national emergency management priorities including increased funding for critical grant programs, the allocation of the D-Block radio spectrum to public safety, support for the nationwide mutual aid system, and Congressional support for critical emergency management programs.

During the three year hiatus from NEMA (2015-18), Cowles served as a Professional Staff Member on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Homeland Security Subcommittee. He was responsible for $23 billion in Federal funding to the U.S. Coast Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, and Office of Health Affairs within the Department of Homeland Security. During his tenure with the subcommittee, he also maintained responsibility for the National Protection and Programs Directorate. While with the Committee, Cowles conducted oversight and budgetary guidance on issues including the military and civilian roles and responsibilities of the U.S. Coast Guard, cybersecurity for Federal civilian networks, critical infrastructure protection, Federal policies on biometrics, Federal disaster response, support to State and local governments through preparedness grants, the Department’s Chief Medical Officer, and radiological and nuclear detection capabilities.

Cowles has held various positions and roles with the Center for Homeland Defense and Security at the Naval Postgraduate School since its inception in 2001. He works with the Center by providing expertise in the areas of strategic planning, program development, and budgeting to the Nation’s first Masters Degree Program in Homeland Security. He is also part of a cadre of subject matter experts for the Mobile Education Team participating in executive-level seminars with Governors and Mayors of major metropolitan areas.

Prior to joining NEMA, Cowles served as Senior Consultant and Program Manager at Plexus Scientific Corporation. In that capacity, Cowles administered millions of dollars in contracts to the Department of Homeland Security developing the National Response Plan, the National Strategy for the Physical Protection of Critical Infrastructures and Key Assets, and the Interagency Security Plan. He also oversaw a staff of subject matter experts developing the Principle Federal Official doctrine.

Cowles was twice appointed by the President to the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Homeland Security (DHS) as the Special Assistant to the Director of the Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP). He was responsible for the smooth transition of the agency from DOJ to DHS in March 2003, strategic planning efforts, direct supervision of financial and legislative affairs staffs, oversight of a $4.2 billion budget, and coordination of 200 Federal personnel and contractors.

Before his move to Washington, D.C., Cowles served several members of the Michigan State Legislature in positions such as Legislative Director, Communications Specialist, and Constituent Relations Assistant. After an unsuccessful primary bid for the Michigan State House of Representatives, Cowles was asked to join the Bush-Cheney 2000 Presidential campaign where he served as Coalitions Director of the State of Michigan, the Florida Recount Team, and later the Deputy Administrative Director for Presidential Security with President George W. Bush’s Presidential Inaugural Committee.

Cowles holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration - Pre-law from Michigan State University.