Introducing Justin Owen, 2020 Buckley Award Winner

America’s Future is excited to introduce Justin Owen as a 2020 Buckley Award winner. Justin’s leadership of the Beacon Center, Tennessee’s free-market think tank, has led to numerous policy wins that better the lives of the people of Tennessee.  

As a member of the selection committee wrote, “At the age of 27, [Justin] became the youngest President and CEO of a conservative state think tank in the country and has remained in that position for 10 years… During his time, they are responsible for major legislative achievements in the state. But their reputation of accomplishment has been noticed outside the state and in the beltway and beyond.” 

The Beacon Center’s recent wins include making home businesses legal in Nashville, passing a meaningful school choice program, and enacting telehealth and COVID liability reform amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Justin’s nominator says it best when she writes, “His leadership and vision for Tennesseans launched reforms that changed lives and made Tennessee a model for other states.”

For his inspirational leadership and successful work to enact meaningful policy reform in Tennessee, leading to better lives for thousands, Justin has earned an award for “contributing to the advancement of the ideas of a free society.”

Get to know Justin!

1. What moment or opportunity in your life do you believe played the largest part in getting you to where you are today?

After my parents divorced when I was 16, I had to get a full-time job to pay for my own stuff and help my mom with the bills. I “adulted” early, but it made me respect the fact that nobody owes you anything in life, something I have carried with me ever since.

2. What is the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome in your career so far?

Beacon was a very different organization when I took over 10 years ago. We were more of a bomb throwing rabble rouser than a respected, go-to source for free market ideas. It took nearly two years to change our direction, which was incredibly frustrating to someone like me who just wanted to plow full steam ahead. I learned that you have to take your time turning around a ship first, otherwise you’ll wind up going in circles.

3. What piece of work or accomplishment are you most proud of?

I worked for nine long years to bring a meaningful school choice program to Tennessee, and when we finally got it done, we passed it with exactly 50 votes of 50 needed in the House of Representatives. I’ve met so many families who will benefit from this program. And even though it’s currently tied up in litigation brought by choice opponents, I’m also proud that Beacon has the infrastructure to represent some of those families as part of the lawsuit. We not only have the ability to secure major policy wins, but we can also defend those gains against legal attacks by our opposition. 

4. What inspired the above work or accomplishment?

A belief that a quality education is the most important gift we can give our children, and that their parents—not politicians or bureaucrats, and not imaginary “school zone” lines—are in the best position to choose their educational destiny.

5. In your words, what motivates your belief in freedom?

The most fundamental thing I believe in life is that people should be free from the control of others. I want to leave this world a better place than I found it, and the best way for me to do that is to fight for people to reclaim control of their lives. Getting paid to do it is a nice cherry on top, too. After all, I am a capitalist.

6. What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing America today?

The government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has shown how easily much of the population is willing to “give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety.” We have our work cut out for us to restore government to its proper limited role when the pandemic subsides. 

7. What is the next big goal or project you’re working on? How can the AF community help?

Beacon’s vision is for Tennessee to lead the nation in innovation freedom. We want to be a magnet for the world’s brightest minds by being the best state in the nation to innovate, start and grow a business, and live the American Dream. While many younger generations are purportedly inclined toward socialism, their love for the gig economy makes them a perfect target for our ideas when it comes to embracing freedom and free enterprise in pursuit of innovation. 

8. What advice do you have for those who want to advance liberty and make a difference in our society?

Do it! If you can find a way to dedicate your career to it, there’s nothing more rewarding in life than fighting for liberty for a living. If you can’t do it full-time, volunteer with groups like AF and Beacon, where you can still make a huge difference in the lives of others.

9. We’re assuming you’re working from home a lot these days, but what does a typical day “at the office” look like for you?

A great thing about my job is that it’s different every day. I may spend all day at the legislature one day (or watching committees on livestream and texting with legislators like we had to do in the crazy 2020 session) and calling and meeting with donors to ask for their support the next.

10. Hobbies/side gigs/secret skills no one knows about? Any new quarantine-induced hobbies that you’ve picked up?

My wife and I have always enjoyed kayaking, so we bought kayaks during the pandemic. Floating on the lake is the ultimate social distancing hobby. As far as secret skills, I have done the impossible and taught my wife how to pack for a two-week trip to Europe in a carry-on.

11. What are you watching on Netflix/Amazon/Hulu right now? 

We just started “The Queen’s Gambit.” And I can’t wait for the “Dexter” sequel next year.

12. There’s been a lot of negativity out there this year. What has been the best part of 2020 for you? 

Leading a team during tremendously stressful and uncertain times has actually been a great challenge and learning experience. And our team has performed in ways I could never imagine. They really did prove they were built for such a time as this. And it has been a rewarding experience to be part of it and witness the impact they have made on Tennesseans lives these past several months. Oh, and did I mention I got a kayak in 2020?

Hot takes with Justin:

Brewed coffee or latte/mocha/etc.? Coffee, black

Cat or dog? Dog and his name is Henry

Android or Apple? Apple

Email, GChat or Slack? Email

Paper book or Kindle? Audiobook or podcast? Kindle and podcasts

Wine or beer? Scotch

Hamilton, Jefferson, or Douglass? Jefferson

Uber or Lyft? Uber recently made me mad, so I switched to Lyft. #competition

Favorite band? Widespread Panic

Home office or work from the couch? Home office

Pizza or tacos? Tacos

Social handles? Twitter is the spawn of Satan, but if you must, @justindowen;
Insta @justindowen

Justin Owen is the President & Chief Executive Officer of the Beacon Center of Tennessee and Beacon Impact. He advances the strategic growth and mission of both organizations. He previously served as the Beacon Center’s director of policy and general counsel.

Justin frequently represents Beacon on television and radio, as well as in opinion pieces for newspapers across Tennessee. For four years, he had a weekly radio segment on the “Ralph Bristol Show” on WTN 99.7 FM, and often appears on other talk radio stations throughout the state to educate citizens on public policy issues. His columns have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Daily Caller, the Tennessean, the Commercial Appeal, the Knoxville News Sentinel, and the Chattanooga Times Free Press.

In 2011, Justin was honored with the Nashville Business Journal’s “Forty Under 40” award, given to young professionals who excel in their professions and are leaders in the local community. And in 2020, Justin was named to the Nashville Post’s “In Charge” list of the top influential government and policy leaders across Middle Tennessee.