2022 Hall of Fame Inductee
College of William and Mary (1985)
1st Lt. (Ret.) Michael K. Powell was born on March 23, 1963, in Birmingham, Alabama.
He attended the College of William and Mary where he completed both a Bachelor of Arts in Government and the Army ROTC program. He graduated and commissioned into the Army Reserves in 1985.
He served in the 2nd ACR in Amberg, Germany as a Cavalry Patrol Officer. In 1987, during a convoy on the autobahn, Powell’s jeep crashed, severely injuring him. Powell spent one year recovering at WRAMC. The injury curtailed his military career, and Powell returned to civilian work as an advisor to Secretary of Defense Richard Cheney.
Powell attended Georgetown University’s Law Center, clerked for the U.S. Court of Appeals and became chief of staff for the DOJ’s Antitrust Division. President Clinton appointed Powell to serve as the FCC in 1997, then President George W. Bush appointed him the second African American and youngest Chairman in 2001. As Chairman, Powell oversaw the transformation to the Digital Age and was responsible for Commission’s National Security Emergency Preparedness function, including the 9/11 national crisis.
Powell left the FCC in 2005 and served multiples roles in the private industry. He now leads as the President and CEO of the Internet and Television Association.
He has served on multiple institutional boards. Powell was Rector of W&M, Chairman if W& Foundation, Aspen Institute Trustee and National Archives Foundation Board member. He served on boards of Cisco, AOL and Rand. He is currently chairman if the Mayo Clinic Board of Trustees and Vice Chairman of America’s Promise Alliance. Powell holds honorary doctorate degrees from W&M, Pepperdine and the Mayo Clinic Alex School of Medicine.
His military awards and accolades include the John C. Marshall Award, ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate, Basic Parachutist & Air Assault Badges, OBC Distinguished Military Graduate, Draper Award for Tactical Excellence, Army Achievement Medal and the Secretary of Defense Outstanding Service Award.
Powell’s civilian honors include the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Law Center from Georgetown University and 2022 Cable Hall of Fame recipient.
About the Army ROTC Hall of Fame
The ROTC Hall of Fame was established in 2016 as part of the ROTC Centennial celebration. The first class (2016) inducted 326 former ROTC Cadets who had distinguished themselves in their military or civilian career.
The Hall of Fame honors graduates of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps who have distinguished themselves in military or civilian pursuits. It provides a prestigious and tangible means of recognizing and honoring Army ROTC Alumni who have made lasting, significant contributions to the Nation, the Army and the history and traditions of the Army ROTC Program.
Read more about the 2022 Hall of Fame Inductees.
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