Tyler County Dogwood Festival Executive Director, Buck Hudson, has announced Mic Cowart, Entergy Customer Service Manager for Hardin and Tyler Counties as "Mr. East Texas" 2013. The Mr. East Texas Award is presented each year to the East Texan that best exemplifies the spirit and quality of leadership which advances, shapes and gives direction to the growth and progress of East Texas. Hudson went on to say that Cowart embodies this award. "Mr. Cowart was selected for his dedication to the growth and development of East Texas and for his devotion to the communities and natural resources of the area." Cowart will be accepting this honor Saturday, April 6, during the Dogwood Pageant.

Milton "Mic" Cowart was born in Beaumont Texas on August 18, 1958. He moved to Lumberton Texas in 1970. Mic excelled in football while in high school playing quarterback and defensive back for the Lumberton Raiders. He graduated from Lumberton High School in 1976 and began working as a "grunt on a line crew" in the Beaumont Line Department for Gulf States Utilities in 1978.

In 1982, Mic moved into the GSU Claims Management Department as a Claims Representative. He continued to ascend the ranks and was promoted to Claims Director in 1992. Mic continued working in the Claims Department with Entergy after GSU merged with the company in 1994 and moved into Operations as the Network Manager for Silsbee and Woodville in 1997. He was later reassigned as the Network Manager for the Beaumont area. While working for GSU and later Entergy, Mic attended night classes at Lamar University and earned an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering Technology.

In 2002, Cowart ascended to the position of Manager of Transportation managing Entergy's fleet for the company's entire four-state area operating in Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. In an effort to work more closely with communities closer to home, Mic accepted the job of Customer Service Manager for Hardin and Tyler Counties in 2007. This opportunity has opened many doors for him and enables him to serve Southeast Texas, where he makes a personal and business impact every day.

As the Entergy Customer Service Manager for Tyler County, Mic has worked very closely with state, county, city and community leaders to support the East Texas Electric Cooperative Bio Mass and German Pellet projects. Cowart has also had the opportunity to work with Tyler County school districts to aid in implementing energy efficiency cost savings measures that help the school districts manage their operating costs. He serves as the Coordinator with area Community Leaders for Teamwork Tyler County and Teamwork Hardin County. The purpose of the Teamwork organizations is to improve the quality of life of the citizens of the counties and to promote economic development within the counties.

Mic's lifelong passion is enjoying the great outdoors. His passion for the outdoors has led him to many adventures in Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, Mexico and Alaska in addition to taking advantage of all the natural resources right here at home in Southeast Texas. In fact, his local involvement led him to enroll in the Texas Master Naturalist program and to obtain his Coast Guard Captain's license.

Mic resides in Lumberton with his wife Debbie who works as commercial real estate agent for Coldwell Banker- Arnold and Associates in Beaumont. They have two sons; Tyler, a Marine Corp veteran and graduate of Texas A&M Corpus Christi who has recently started a career in law enforcement with the City of Beaumont and Cody, who is attending Texas Tech University to become a Physician Assistant.

Cowart currently serves many local community organizations serving as Vice-President for the Lumberton Chamber of Commerce, Silsbee Chamber of Commerce Director, Lumberton Industrial Cooperation Director, Woodville Lions Club Director, Past President Silsbee Kiwanis Club, Lumberton ISD Foundation Board Member, and Lamar University Industrial Technology Advisory Board Member.

One of Mic's greatest assets is his selfless dedication to his family, profession and community, and his ability to integrate them seamlessly together. Wherever there is a community program that is in need of support, you will find Mic Cowart with a smile on his face, an extended hand and a true passion to lead others through honesty and integrity.