Staff Profile

Wally Bowden has been Graphic Artist for JPL nine years and his professional graphics and input help put JPL's best foot forward. At left is a picture of Wally, 2nd from right, with his bride, Jenny, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walt Bowden.

Q: You’ve been JPL’s Graphic Artist for nine years. What part will your expertise play in the success of the new Library Card Campaign?
A: I am working with a great team on a committee to cover the social media aspect of the campaign. We will be doing a case page on Facebook promoting library card awareness, some youtube materials, blogging and shared stories via email which will allow all branches to participate.

Q: Why did you become a graphic artist?
A: I actually backed into the profession. My college major was Advertising and my minor was Political Science. It is impossible to break into the advertising field without any experience. My church had an open position for what was then called a typesetter. I was qualified for that with the few design classes I had in my days at UNF. That was 1997 and I have been doing it since.

Q: What is your favorite subject to read about and why?
A: I absolutely LOVE history and great historical figures such as Lincoln and Washington. Lately, I have also been reading a lot about how to turn good companies into great companies. I believe a lot of the same principles apply to making a good church a great church. My wife’s brother began a church in Jacksonville last month, and we are a part of the launch team for that church on the Northside. Outside of that, I just love suspense authors like Patterson and Koontz.

Q: Since design and color are big aspects in your daily work, what is the most beautiful place you have visited?
A: When I was married in June 2008, my wife and I wanted to honeymoon in Greece as my international travel only consisted of a trip to Canada, and I always thought that Greece is beautiful from the pictures/documentaries I have seen. Unfortunately, the cost of a wedding dictated us staying in the states so we went to Captiva Island, Florida, and it was gorgeous. We plan on taking that trip to Greece and celebrate the finish of her Masters in Counseling next year.

Q: What is something most people would not know about you?
A: I played two years of tennis for FCCJ on scholarship and just this February started my first tennis coaching position. I am the coach of the Varsity tennis boys and girls team for Mandarin Christian school.