The full story behind RJ Garbowicz: builder since middle school, IL Army National Guard veteran, military academy graduate, husband, and father of two.
Long before LinkedIn knew his name, RJ was buying donuts and snacks in bulk and reselling them to classmates for lunch money. By the time most kids were picking electives, he was running a neighborhood lawn service — knocking on doors, quoting jobs, and reinvesting every dollar. The lesson stuck for life: see a need, build the offer, deliver the work.
RJ graduated from a military academy, where structure, discipline, and accountability became second nature. The uniform taught him what classrooms couldn't — show up early, finish what you start, and earn your seat at the table.
RJ enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard at 17 as an Avionic Systems Repairer (MOS 35R), stationed at Midway Airport in Chicago. Working on military aircraft electronics gave him a deep respect for systems that have to work — every time, no excuses — and lit the fuse on a lifelong career in technology.
Like many builders before him, RJ left college early. Not to coast — to ship. He bet on himself, founded his first technology company, and learned the things tuition can't teach: payroll, contracts, customers, cash flow, and how to keep going when the runway gets short.
Since 2001, RJ has built software companies, created jobs, led successful exits, and reinvested every step of the way — into new companies, into other founders, and into charitable causes. The pattern hasn't changed: build something real, take care of the team, and put the wins back to work.
Today RJ leads a technology company focused on the AI economy and invests in and advises founders across the Tampa Bay area. Featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, Inc., and ABC News. Now running for Congress to bring builder energy to Washington.
Behind every campaign sign is a family. RJ is married to Jennifer Garbowicz, CFA, CIPM — West Florida Market President at BNY Wealth, TBBW Business Woman of the Year, board leader across multiple Tampa Bay non-profits, marathoner, and the woman who summited Mount Kilimanjaro for fun.
Their daughter Cali is a 20× gold-medal gymnast and straight-A student. Their son Justin is a Jr. Olympics track competitor, a future entrepreneur, and RJ's current co-builder on Garbowicz.ai — a father-son AI lab.
Faith, family, and country — in that order — are the compass behind every decision RJ will make in Washington.
Husband to Jennifer Garbowicz, CFA, CIPM — West Florida Market President at BNY Wealth, TBBW Business Woman of the Year, and a board leader across Tampa Bay non-profits. Proud father of Cali, a 20× gold-medal gymnast and straight-A student, and Justin, a Jr. Olympics track competitor and his current co-builder on Garbowicz.ai.
IL Army National Guard, 35R Avionic Systems Repairer. The Guard taught him that freedom isn't free, and that the people who serve quietly are the backbone of this country.
A 'YouTube graduate' who has self-taught two full home remodels — designing, contracting, and doing much of the work by hand.
41 states and 34 countries by age 40. Goal: every state and at least 100 countries — one new adventure at every stop.
Boat captain on the Gulf coast, hiker, martial artist, and weekend 5K runner. Driven by faith to leave the world better than he found it.
Every company RJ builds is built to give back. His wife Jennifer serves on multiple non-profit boards across Tampa Bay, and together the Garbowiczes donate year-round to the causes that matter most to their family.
