Kathy Lowrey Gallowitz
U.S. Air Force Lt. Colonel (RET)
Desert Storm Veteran Grand Marshal
HAV Veterans Day Parade 2025
U.S. Air Force Lt. Colonel Kathy Lowrey Gallowitz (Ret.)
Rio Verde, AZ
Lt. Col. Kathy Gallowitz served 29 years in the U.S. Air Force on active duty, in the Reserve, and National Guard as a nurse and public affairs officer. Early in her career, she was a flight nurse and one of the initial leaders who developed and implemented the Armed Services’ Sexual Assault Response Program.
In response to 9/11, she created and led an unprecedented statewide outreach initiative for the Ohio National Guard, pioneering civilian engagement supporting troops and their families. Under her leadership, the program advanced military hiring best practices, expanded military ministries, increased the number of TRICARE providers, and facilitated military-friendly initiatives in public schools and colleges. Many Civilian Veteran Champions she collaborated with are featured in her book “Beyond Thank You for Your Service: The Veteran Champion Handbook for Civilians.”
As Founder and President of Vanguard Veteran, LLC, Gallowitz serves as a strategic advisor, helping employers build in-house Veteran hiring capabilities to attract and retain veterans, strengthen teams, and boost productivity. She also speaks widely on becoming a Veteran Champion, best hiring practices, veteran inclusion, military culture, and her personal journey of military leadership.
Since moving to Arizona, Gallowitz has been a catalyst for veteran initiatives. She founded VetConnect, launched Women Who Lead and its annual summits, helped a Chamber of Commerce implement a military transition support program and Veteran Champion Award, played a role in mobilizing the legal community to host Arizona’s first Veteran Treatment Court conference, served as chair of the Arizona Veterans Services Advisory Commission,
and was appointed to the state’s inaugural Veteran Caucus Advisory Board. In recognition of her lifelong service, Kathy was inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame, Class of 2025.
Gallowitz and her husband, Ed, a career Army combat veteran, enjoy traveling, and together they cherish seven children and nine grandchildren.