Commissioner Robert V. Owens, Jr. was born on December 21, 1932 in Manteo, North Carolina.  He graduated from Manteo High School and attended East Carolina University before serving in the U.S. Coast Guard.  Prior to joining the Commission, he was a Dare County business owner.  He is married to Sarah and they have two children and four grandchildren.  He is a member of the Manteo Baptist Church.

Owens has served more than 35 years in various leadership and civic capacities in the state.  He was appointed to the University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina Board of Directors; Pitt County Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees; and the Outer Banks Hospital Board of Directors. Owens is past Director of the Governor's Eastern Office, a past Chairman and member of the Dare County Board of Commissioners, and a past member of the North Carolina Tax Study Commission; North Carolina State Banking Commission and the North Carolina State Parks and Recreation Commission.

In 1984, Governor James Hunt awarded Owens the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest service award that can be given to a North Carolina citizen.

Owens is the recipient of three leadership awards for: Promotion of Education and Technology in Dare County Schools; Promotion of Dare County Babe Ruth World Series; and Promotion of North Carolina Mentally Handicapped.  He has been honored with the Dare County Citizen of the Year Award and the Town of Manteo Citizen of the Year Award. He is past president of the Manteo Lion Club, member of the Manteo Masonic Lodge and Dare County Shrine Club, where he served as past president.

Commissioner Owens assumed office on the North Carolina Utilities Commission on August 29, 1997.  His current term ends June 30, 2013.  He also serves on the Water Committee of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners.