LESLIE (LES) M. LOWERY, JR.

Les is seasoned leader with over 15 years of service with the Optimist International Organization. As a passionate advocate for service to youth and the community, Les would bring a unique blend of expertise and enthusiasm to The Optimist International Foundation.

He has served on the Board of Directors of 8 entities (6 non-profit and 2 corporate) where he successfully grew Membership numbers, Profits and Charitable giving. He has served as President of The Optimist Club of the Westbank, Governor of the Louisiana District, Member of the Optimist International Finance Committee and Chairman of the Optimist International Growth Committee. His professional experience starts with his becoming a CPA working with a firm doing auditing and taxes for clients. He then spent 13 years as a CFO/Controller in the Financial Institutions Industry managing the Accounting, Bookkeeping, Data Processing and an Investment Portfolio ($35 Million) among other things in this industry. Les finished his career in the Petroleum Wholesale and Propane Industry where he was the General Manager/CFO of 2 Companies simultaneously. He retired after he sold the Companies in 2019.

Les currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Optimist Club of the Westbank where he is a past President. He is a Past Distinguished Governor and Distinguished Lt. Governor of the Louisiana District. Les won the Optimist International Phoenix award in 2020. He is a Past President of the Louisiana Oil Marketers and Convenience Store Association where he later was chosen to receive the President’s Award for outstanding service. Les is a Past President of The Touchdown Club of New Orleans, a New Orleans Saints fan Club that he was recognized for leading an organization that has now exceeded $1 million dollars in money donated to Leukemia research. He is still a member. Les and his wife (Karen) served on the School Board of Archbishop Blenk High School where they ran the annual School Fundraiser Auction event for 2 years. Les is currently a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Phi Kappa Theta Alumni Association. He is a retired member of the American Institute of CPA’s, the Louisiana Society of CPA’s and Chartered Global Management Accountants. He also served as a member of the New Orleans Emergency Planning Commission. Les earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Louisiana, Lafayette where he majored in Accounting.

Les enjoys music, fishing/hunting, football, tennis and many other sports. He has proudly attended Manresa (Catholic Silent Retreat for men) continuously for 25 years for spiritual direction via the St. Ignatius Loyola spiritual exercises.

Les lives in Harvey, Louisiana. Les has been blissfully married to the love of his life, Karen, for 39 years. They are blessed to have 3 beautiful children (Kaylee, Travis and Kirstie).