Steve Bowers
| CEO, Slow Pass Bourbon Company
In April of 2021, William S. (Steve) Bowers was appointed CEO of the Slow Pass Bourbon Company. In the eighteen years prior, he developed an in-depth understanding of the bourbon industry as a bourbon connoisseur building extensive industry relationships with the who’s who of bourbon. Prior, Bowers spent five plus years as a Partner at Visionary Automotive Group and seven plus years at Federal-Mogul Corporation as a Corporate Officer and Senior Vice-President of Sales and Marketing. His earlier career was with General Motors and global automotive supplier Delphi Corporation.
Motivating teams to higher performance best describes the 38-year automotive career of Steve Bowers. Combining extensive international and domestic executive assignments in global Product Engineering, Program Management, Purchasing, Operations, and Sales and Marketing, Bowers has developed and driven strategies that have significantly increased sales, market share, and positive earnings performance. During his career, he was based in Tokyo, Japan, as the Asia-Pacific Regional Executive Director for Delphi’s Powertrain, Chassis, and Steering Divisions. He was responsible for the Profit & Loss of the OEM and Aftermarket businesses, inclusive of leading the functions of Engineering, Purchasing, Operations, Manufacturing, Sales, and Customer Service in the markets of Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia. Prior he worked as a Powertrain Chief Engineer and spent four years as Technical Director of GM's European Technical Center in Bascharage, Luxembourg. Bowers’ early career included positions such as Engineering Group Manager, Divisional Vehicle Manager, Powertrain Control Systems Engineer, and Control Systems Engineer at General Motors Corp.
Recognized as a forward-thinking and results-oriented leader, Bowers has directed global teams and possesses vast knowledge of international business, global vehicle manufacturers and world markets. He has established lasting relationships with key global industry leaders and is widely respected for his ability to develop solutions that foster long-term company alliances.
He has successfully lead product design and engineering programs throughout the world, flawlessly introducing industry-first products to market, and lead the design and building of engineering centers in Europe, South America, and Tokyo. He has also developed important joint ventures and wholly owned operations in Asia Pacific to profitably enhance market position and customer service. In several markets he led the building of new manufacturing facilities in Australia, China, India, Korea, and Thailand.
Steve Bowers is a recognized leader, mentor, and highly capable member of C-suite leadership teams working across disciplines and regions delivering profitable global automotive industry growth.
Bowers earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, and is a graduate from the University of Michigan’s Executive Program. He is the recipient of U.S. and European patents.