James L. McDowell is Vice President - MINI, responsible for all aspects of MINI Marketing, Sales and Aftersales in the United States. Previously, McDowell was Vice President – Marketing for BMW of North America, LLC, a position he held for twelve years.
In March 1993, McDowell joined BMW AG’s planning group in Munich, Germany. McDowell worked with Porsche AG in Stuttgart, Germany from 1990 until 1993, serving as Director of Marketing. Before relocating to Germany, he worked at Porsche Cars North America, Inc. in Reno, Nevada from 1985 to 1990 as Planning Director.
Prior to that, McDowell held managerial positions for OCLI Inc. from 1984 to 1985 and with GTE Inc. from 1981 to 1984. McDowell also conducted social science research with the Rand Corporation from 1977 to 1981.
McDowell was named the Automotive News “Marketer of the Year” in 2002, and he was twice named “Marketer of the Year” by Brandweek Magazine. The Advertising Club named him the “2003 Silver Medal Advertising Man of the Year.”
McDowell earned a bachelor’s degree in behavioral psychology from Colorado College and in 2005 he was honored with the Benezet Award for distinction in his career achievement. He has a master’s degree in public policy analysis and administration from Harvard University.
McDowell was born in Greeley, Colorado in 1952. He and his three adult children all drive MINIs. McDowell and his wife spend a lot of time each summer driving with MINI owners in the U.S.
