ATLANTA – U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Jon Tester, D-Mont., chairman and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, today applauded the Senate confirmation of John Lowry III to be assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, often referred to as DOL-VETS. 

“I thank the Senate for approving Mr. Lowry so he can get to work serving our nation’s veterans as they pursue quality employment after military service,” said Isakson. “Mr. Lowry will use his vast experience in public service and in the private sector in this critical role to oversee the seamless transition into civilian life for our nation’s heroes.” 

“Mr. Lowry has shown a strong commitment to providing the necessary tools and resources to end veteran homelessness,” said Tester. “As assistant secretary, Mr. Lowry has a big task ahead of him. It will be his responsibility to ensure that veterans— especially in rural areas across Montana— have access to critical job training and career development opportunities that will help them find meaningful employment. I’ll be holding Mr. Lowry accountable on behalf of all who have served, making sure he follows through on this important obligation.” 

Lowry’s nomination passed the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs by voice vote on March 13. The nomination was also approved by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. 

Mr. Lowry is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and a consultant with Egon Zehnder, a global executive search firm. He previously served as chief operating officer of Allied Recreation Group and was in the senior leadership group of Harley-Davidson. Lowry served 15 years on active duty in the Marine Corps as an infantry officer and 10 years in the Marine Corps Reserve. His military awards include the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat Valor Device and the Combat Action Ribbon for his 1991 service in the first Gulf War. He holds degrees from Princeton, Stanford, Harvard, and the U.S. Army War College. 

The assistant secretary of DOL-VETS is responsible for a range of programs aimed at helping veterans succeed in the civilian workforce. That includes programs such as the Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program, which provides homeless veterans with resources and support to reenter the workforce. 

The veterans’ employment agency also works with other federal agencies to offer the Transition Assistance Program to service members at bases around the globe to help service members leaving the military make a smooth transition to all aspects of civilian life. 

In addition, the assistant secretary has the important responsibility of administering and enforcing the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, which protects service members from discrimination on the basis of their service and provides reemployment rights regarding their pre-service civilian jobs. 

Isakson chaired a committee hearing last Congress to consider the nominee on June 13, 2018. Lowry was nominated but never confirmed by the Senate during the 115th Congress, and his nomination was resubmitted by the White House early in 2019. 

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