Pike Powers
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John Pike Powers IV (May 1, 1941 – October 31, 2021) was a Texas attorney, state legislator and civic leader who championed government investment in regional, innovation-based economic development. His behind-the-scenes, beer-and-barbecue leadership style and extensive experience in handling complex legal and political issues before state and federal entities put him at the center of a remarkable period of economic growth that transformed Austin, Texas, from a sleepy college town into a major metropolis and technology hub [1], a testimonial to the positive role government can play in supporting innovation that both creates regional growth and advances the nation's leadership in critical technologies.
Early life and career
Powers was born in Beaumont, Texas, attended Lamar University and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law in 1965. He was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1972 and represented Jefferson County in the state Legislature until 1979. In 1978, he opened the Austin office of the Houston-based law firm Fulbright & Jaworski (now Norton, Fulbright & Jaworski) where he served as managing partner. He retired in 2006.
Government investment and economic development
In 1983, Texas Governor Mark White asked Powers to serve as his executive assistant. Powers' ability to build winning coalitions was instrumental in winning two intensely contested competitions for technology consortia -- the Microelectronics Computer Consortium (MCC) in 1983 and in 1987, as a leader and later chair of the Austin Chamber of Commerce, the Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology (SEMATECH), a public-private partnership jointly funded by the U.S. Dept. of Defense and the semiconductor industry to recapture U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing from the Japanese [2]. Central to both selections was the support of the University of Texas, investment which catapulted its Cockrell School of Engineering into a world-class research center. These initiatives served as catalysts to economic growth, creating a virtuous cycle of jobs, talent and investment that attracted additional public and private investment, spurring both large and entrepreneurial activities in the area.
In 1996, Powers headed the successful effort to recruit Samsung Semiconductor's first U.S. manufacturing, or fabrication (fab) site. Samsung's initial $4 billion investment continues to grow, creating jobs and attracting investment across the Central Texas region [3]. He worked with Texas Governor Rick Perry to draft legislation that encouraged greater cooperation between government, academia and private industry, including the $295 million Texas Enterprise Fund, "the largest deal-closing fund of its kind in the nation" [4] and the Texas Technology Initiative Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page)..
Collaboration and Recognition
A champion of clean energy, Powers was a key supporter of the Pecan Street Pecan Street research project, a collaboration between The University of Texas, the City of Austin, the Environmental Defense Fund, and Austin Energy to gauge the impact of alternative power sources on residential communities. The physical axis of that collaboration is the Pike Powers Commercialization Lab. Powers continued to work with with civic and university leaders until the end of life, including MassChallenge, the Army Futures Commpand, and the University of Texas at Austin’s Dell Medical School. Recognition for his contributions include:
- Member, Texas House of Representatives, 1972-1979
- Executive Assistant, Governor Mark White, 1983-1984
- Austin Chamber of Commerce, chair (1989) and vice chair (1990)
- Texas Super Lawyer (2003)
- 100 Most Influential Lawyers in the United States (1988,1991, 1994)
- Member, State Bar of Texas Board of Directors
- Member, Maritime Law Assoc. of the United States
- Member, Federation of Insurance and Corporate Counsel
- Member, National Assoc. of Railroad Trial Counsel
- Governor’s Science and Biotechnology Council (2002-3)
- Austinite of the Year (2005)
- Texan of the Year (2017)
References
- ^ "The Astonishing Transformation of Austin," Wright, Lawrence, The New Yorker, Feb. 13 and 21, 2023
- ^ "Austin Rides a Winner:Technology,"Verhovek, Sam Howe, The New York TimesJanuary 31, 1998
- ^ “Pike Powers, former lawmaker and Austin Tech Sector Pioneer Has Died,” Austin American Statesman, front page, November 2, 2021
- ^ https://gov.texas.gov/business/page/incentives
- ^ "A Powerhouse for Austin's Economy Passes Away," Pope, Colin, Austin Business Journal, Nov. 1, 2021
- ^ Gibson, David V. and Rogers, Everett M., R&D Collaboration on Trial, Harvard Business School Press, 1994., pp. 161-165
- ^ "IN MEMORIUM: Pike Powers, the Godfather of Austin’s Tech Boom, Passes Away,” The University of Texas School of Law, Nov. 2, 2021
- ^ "Remembering Pike Powers,” Austin Chamber of Commerce, Nov. 2, 2021
- ^ "Remembering Pike Powers, the University of Texas at Austin, IC2, Nov. 5, 2021