L. Elizabeth Bowles is the President and Chairman of the Board of Aristotle Inc., a full-service interactive media agency and broadband internet service provider headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas. In that capacity, Ms. Bowles is responsible for the company’s strategic direction and mission.
Prior to assuming the Chairmanship of Aristotle, Ms. Bowles was primarily responsible for the company’s internet services division, Aristotle Unified Communications (“AUC”), and oversaw the creation and deployment of AUC’s fixed wireless broadband network in Central Arkansas. In addition to her other responsibilities, Ms. Bowles continues to run AUC, overseeing the future expansion of AUC’s network as well as serving as a consultant and facilitator for broadband projects in Southeast Arkansas, Northwest Arkansas, and Africa.
Ms. Bowles has been active in broadband policy and has a high profile as a supporter of fixed-wireless/fiber hybrid solutions for rural America. As an advocate for small businesses and policies to enable rural broadband deployment, Ms. Bowles has testified before both Congress and the FCC. In 2017, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai appointed Ms. Bowles to the Chairmanship of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee, a 27-member committee tasked with making recommendations for removing barriers to broadband deployment with the goal of eliminating the digital divide.
Prior to her appointment to the BDAC, Ms. Bowles advocated before the FCC, Congress, and the Administration on behalf of rural-friendly, technology-neutral broadband policies.
Ms. Bowles served as President of the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA), the trade association for the fixed wireless industry from 2010-2013, after which she served for two years as Legislative Committee Chair. Ms. Bowles is currently the Legislative Vice-Chair for Rural Broadband Deployment for WISPA. Ms. Bowles is a public speaker and a nationally recognized expert on rural broadband, internet law, privacy, and technology.
Ms. Bowles graduated summa cum laude from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a B.A. in International Studies. She then received her J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law, where she was first in her class. Ms. Bowles earned the top score on the Arkansas Bar Exam and is licensed to practice law in Arkansas, the District of Columbia, the Supreme Court of the United States, and various U.S. Courts of Appeal.
Prior to coming to Aristotle, Ms. Bowles clerked for then Chief Judge of the Eighth Circuit, Richard S. Arnold. Following her clerkship, Ms. Bowles was an associate at Arnold & Porter in Washington, D.C., where her litigation practice focused on technology and international issues. She joined Aristotle in 2000. In addition to her work at Aristotle, Ms. Bowles served on the Arkansas State Bank Board, including one year as Chair, has held multiple positions for both the Arkansas Chapter and Regional Board of YPO (the Young President’s Association), the Connect Arkansas Executive Board, and the ABC (Arkansas Broadband Council), a statutorily-created body that made policy recommendations to the Arkansas Legislature.
Over the years, Ms. Bowles has served on the boards of numerous community, charitable, and non-profit organizations including the founding board of City Year Little Rock/North Little Rock and the Better Business Bureau.