Bowman has been active in commercial real estate for more than 30 years as a salesperson, broker, manager, and owner. He started in his family's commerical real estate company, Bowman Company, located in Portland, Oregon, where he became sales manager, president, and a part owner. In 1983 Bowman Company joined forces with Portland's largest commercial firm, Norris, Beggs and Simpson, where the Bowman spent 10 years as an industrial broker. He started his own commercial real estate company, John L. Bowman, Realtor in 1992.