Janie E. Bowen was appointed as Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Taxation by Governor Kane in May 2006. Prior to that, in January of 2006, she was appointed by then Governor-elect Kaine as Deputy Secretary of Finance. Janie returned to tax with 28 years of service in positions ranging from Tax Handler to Executive Commissioner for Tax Policy and Administration. During her career she has made significant contributions to tax policy and tax administration.
Commissioner Bowen was born and raised in Charlottesville. She completed her undergraduate work in political science and government at the University of Georgia. She earned her graduate degree in the same fields from the University of Virginia, where she co-authored a compilation of local tax rates in Virginia that included statistical analyses of various components of the Virginia local tax structure.
She is an active supporter of FTA and SEATA, and is a member of the FTA Board of Trustees. Personal interests include live music, in particular, supporting local Richmond bands. She is also involved in local charity organizations.