Gerald M. “Jerry” Lowrie was an American business executive and government-relations specialist. He worked for IBM, led government relations at the American Bankers Association, and served as a senior vice president of public affairs and chief federal lobbyist for AT&T. He also held prominent civic, cultural, and business leadership positions in the Washington, D.C., area.
Background
Gerald M. Lowrie was born on July 13, 1935, in Elaine, Arkansas. He later established his personal and professional life in the Washington, D.C., area, where he and his family settled after the American Bankers Association relocated to Washington in 1971. Lowrie married Shirley Johnston in the spring of 1957; after her death in 2003, he married Betty Lowrie in 2004. He was the father of Rick Lowrie and Lynn Longley and became a grandfather and great-grandfather. His later life combined family involvement, civic leadership, cultural service, travel, and participation in Saint Mark Presbyterian Church in Rockville, Maryland.
Education
Lowrie attended Memphis State College, now the University of Memphis. During his student years he was elected president of the freshman class and later served as president of Kappa Alpha Order, the student government association, and Omicron Delta Kappa. He was also named Mr. Memphis State. He completed his studies before entering the United States Marine Corps in 1957.
Career
Lowrie began his professional career in 1961 with International Business Machines Corporation, holding sales and marketing positions in Kansas City, Missouri, and later in White Plains, New York. His experience in computing and business technology preceded his move into banking policy and public affairs. In 1968 he joined the American Bankers Association, where he became executive director of government relations and a prominent representative of the banking industry in Washington. In that role he worked on banking deregulation and helped advance repeal of tax withholding on interest payments, the Monetary Control Act of 1980, and revisions to bankruptcy law. He also chaired the association’s monetary planning committee and banking professions group. In 1985 he declined the opportunity to become the ABA’s top executive and instead joined American Telephone & Telegraph Company as senior vice president of public affairs. He managed AT&T’s public-affairs operations and later served as senior vice president and director of federal government affairs, participating in major telecommunications policy debates during the company’s post-divestiture transformation and the movement that culminated in the Telecommunications Act of 1996. He retired from AT&T in 1998.
Achievements
Became a prominent Washington representative of the American banking industry through his leadership of the American Bankers Association’s government-relations program.
Helped advance the Monetary Control Act of 1980, repeal of tax withholding on interest payments, and revisions to federal bankruptcy law.
Served as president of the Greater Washington Board of Trade and was named its Leader of the Year in 1993.
Established the annual Shirley J. Lowrie “Thank You for Teaching” Award in 2009 to recognize Montgomery County educators.
(Conference paper by Gerald M. Lowrie, published in the pr...)
1970
Views
Lowrie expressed a belief in public service, gratitude, and the importance of recognizing the contributions of others. In 2009 he established the annual Shirley J. Lowrie “Thank You for Teaching” Award to honor Montgomery County educators.
Membership
Lowrie’s professional, civic, and cultural affiliations reflected his long involvement in business policy and Washington-area public life. His documented associations included the American Bankers Association, the Computer and Business Equipment Manufacturers Association, the National Planning Association, the United States League of Women Voters, and the Memphis State University Alumni Association. He served on boards or executive committees connected with the Washington Performing Arts Society, the National Museum of Women in the Arts, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Circle National Gallery of Art, Ford’s Theatre, and the Montpelier Foundation. He was president of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, president of The Burning Tree Club, and chancellor of the Exchequer Club of Washington. He was also associated with the Capitol Hill Club, City of Washington Club, City Tavern Club, Georgetown Club, One 16 Club, Congressional Country Club, and Saint Mark Presbyterian Church.
Circle National Gallery Art
,
United States
Board of directors.
Computer and Business Equipment Manufacturers Association
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United States
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
,
United States
Corporation advisory committee.
United States League of Women Voters
,
United States
Board of directors.
National Museum of Women in the Arts
,
United States
Committee participation.
National Planning Association
,
United States
Board of directors and executive committee.
Washington Performing Arts Society
,
United States
Memphis State University Alumni Association
,
United States
President.
Burning Tree Club
,
United States
Capitol Hill Club
,
United States
City of Washington Club
,
United States
City Tavern Club
,
United States
Georgetown Club
,
United States
One 16 Club
,
United States
President.
Greater Washington Board of Trade
,
United States
Chancellor from 1980 to 1981.
Exchequer Club of Washington
,
United States
Board member.
Ford’s Theatre
,
United States
Board member.
Montpelier Foundation
,
United States
Member.
Congressional Country Club
,
United States
Member who served in numerous leadership roles.
Saint Mark Presbyterian Church
,
United States
1973
Personality
Lowrie was described in biographical accounts as an energetic, sociable, collaborative, and highly effective leader whose career was marked by strong personal relationships, humor, and a gift for connecting with people. Colleagues also characterized him as a patient and consummate professional in legislative advocacy.
Quotes from others about the person
A colleague who worked with Lowrie on AT&T’s Washington lobbying team described him as a consummate professional who patiently managed diverse corporate interests and achieved repeated legislative successes.
Interests
Lowrie enjoyed international travel, civic and cultural institutions, country clubs, church activities, and maintaining close relationships with family and friends.
Connections
Lowrie married Shirley Johnston in 1957 and remained connected with her until her death in 2003. They had two children, Rick Lowrie and Lynn, later Lynn Longley. He married Betty Lowrie in 2004, and they traveled together in Hawaii, Italy, China, Israel, and along the Danube. His family later included six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, four stepchildren, eleven step-grandchildren, and five step-great-grandchildren.
child:
Lynn
Lowrie’s daughter, later known as Lynn Longley.
child:
Rick Lowrie
Lowrie’s son.
References
Gerald Lowrie obituary
Documents Lowrie’s birth and death, education, Marine Corps service, IBM and American Bankers Association career, AT&T leadership, civic and cultural activities, family, awards, and later life.
2025
Lowrie Takes AT&T Post
Documents Lowrie’s transition from director of government relations at the American Bankers Association to senior vice president of public affairs at AT&T and summarizes his earlier IBM and banking-industry work.
1985
Growing on Tobacco
Documents Lowrie’s retirement as AT&T senior vice president and director of federal government affairs.
