Modest and mild mannered, Attorney Jeff Bowman brings years of experience and hard work to his new position on the school board.

Bowman grew up in Artesia, but moved away to become a vice president of a small oil company in Texas.

He said with a smile, "I love Artesia. We had the opportunity to go anywhere, but we wanted to move back for a number of reasons.

"We felt like this was a great community to raise a family. A God-centered community where people are willing to put others first and to serve. People here have their values and morals right."

Bowman said he was not politically motivated to run for the school board. He wanted to give back some of what he received.

"I felt like I greatly benefited from my education in Artesia and I wanted to give back and continue the excellence of education."

When asked about the extra time required, Bowman replied, "If I get involved in something, I put a lot of time into it.

"It took some time to learn all the legal aspects of school accounting, but if you want to be a contributing member of any group, you have to know what everything is about. I want to be an effective member."

After graduating from Artesia High School in 1973, Bowman went to the University of Texas at El Paso where he received a bachelor of arts in accounting. "I thought I might be an engineer or something in science or math, but a scholarship gave me a full ride."

Bowman then went to law school. He graduated in Texas, passed the Bar in 1980 and passed the New Mexico Bar in 1981.

He became vice president of a small oil company in Texas and settled down with wife DeAnne. He acknowledged, "My wife is a very positive influence in my life."

In addition to the hard work Bowman brings to the school system, he also spends his time in other services.

He helps the Chamber of Commerce on various projects and has participated in the Artesia Main Street Management committee since its conception in 1997.

Bowman said, "The best thing about the project was seeing the community come together; the physical improvements are secondary."

Bowman is actively involved in the committees at the First Methodist Church. He teaches an adult Sunday school class and fills the pulpit as needed. Bowman also speaks at other churches when the opportunity arises.

He is a member of the Quarterback Club, which is a booster organization for the football team.

Being a former Bulldog, Bowman feels that some of the most important encouragement does not come from learning about football.

He explained, "The principal purpose is to help support the team. A member adopts one or more of the players and encourages them."

He also helps coach little league baseball and occasionally serves as a substitute for Municipal Judge Kaye Kiper.

Bowman has two children, Zachary age 9, and Brock age 7, and helps out with their activities and sports.

Mrs. Bowman added, "He’s a real good daddy. He comes home and tries to be active in their sports, helps them with homework, plays ball, and is a good conscientious person."

Jeff Bowman grew up in Artesia with parents Roy and Norma Bowman, who are lifelong residents, and older brother Mike. He said, "My brother set a good example for me in all walks of life and I appreciate that."

Some of his most memorable moments growing up in Artesia revolve around being on the farm and playing sports.

He said, "I thought working on the farm was the worst thing in the world, but I now realize that hard work has virtue in and of itself."

He recalled that playing sports, being in the 4-H and showing livestock gave him guidance, but his fondest memories revolved around the family.

"I loved taking camping trips as a family and going backpacking with my brother anywhere there were mountains and fish."

Bowman played quarterback for the Artesia Bulldogs in 1972. He recalled, "My brother and I always wanted to be Bulldogs. We would practice outside for hours."

He was quick to admit that the most important lessons he learned as a Bulldog came from being a team and the relationships that occurred.

Bowman gives credit to his family for all the support. He explained, "They have provided an example for me all my life. They gave me a good moral character and a good Christian life."

Bowman did not want to comment on the people he admired in Artesia, "If I mention just a few, then I am excluding others that are just as important."

However, Bowman admitted that long time family friend Coach Henderson and his family had a great influence on his life. "He taught me not only knowledge, but he also taught how to live a good life and be prepared for living in the community."

Bowman said of friend Cooper Henderson, "He does a great job teaching students what is important in life and he also does a pretty good job coaching football."

Another current role model is Peyton Yates. Bowman said, "He is a very giving person and has contributed in ways that people do not know. Yet, he never asks for acknowledgment and gives others the credit. I admire that."

Bowman’s office is located at 611 W. Mahone Dr. Ste. E in Artesia and has been there since 1993. Vandiver and Bowman is a flourishing business.

Bowman congratulated his entire office for their superior work. "We have a great staff and a very good partner." The staff includes; Sunny Biggs legal/secretary assistant, Tori Hasselhoff, legal/secretary assistant, and partner, David Vandiver.

Much of Bowman’s character can be seen by his choice of law practices. He didn’t want to go into trial work because, "it is a very confrontational field with a lot of negative emotions."

Instead, Vandiver and Bowman is mainly an office practice. Bowman explained, "Our main focus, probably about 75 percent of it, is oil and gas related.

"The type of work I do is putting people together with deals. Everyone is getting something. In trial work, someone is winning and someone is losing."