Dr. Powell takes great pride in working on a project focused on expediting the delivery of space capabilities from years to a matter of days during his tenure with the U.S. Air Force.
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, May 14, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ — Rusty Powell has been included in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Driven to serve his country, Dr. Powell joined the U.S. Air Force as an Aircraft Armament Systems specialist in 1988. After five years of service, he separated from the Air Force to earn a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Colorado State University and a commission through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. Returning to active duty in the Air Force, he subsequently received a Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology’s Graduate School of Engineering & Management. He served at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base as a High-Speed Systems Engineer and Manager in the Air Force Research Laboratory. In the ensuing years, Dr. Powell gained valuable expertise in the military as a Lead Engineer at Ellsworth Air Force Base, Assistant Professor and Deputy Laboratory Director at the U.S. Air Force Academy, and as Deputy Chief for Aviation Programs in the Office of Military Cooperation at the U.S. Embassy in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Over the years, Dr. Powell furthered his professional knowledge, earning a Ph.D. in Engineering focusing on combustion from the Colorado School of Mines. Professionally, he served as Program Manager/Deputy Division Chief of the Tier II Division and the Chief of Launch and Range Programs in the Operationally Responsive Space Office at Kirtland Air Force Base, Associate Professor and Thermal/Fluids Systems Curriculum Chief in the Department of Engineering Mechanics at the U. S. Air Force Academy, and in various roles with Millennium Engineering and Integration Company. Drawing on his considerable expertise, Dr. Powell was an adjunct faculty member at the National American University and is an affiliate faculty member at Colorado Christian University.
Alongside his work in education, Dr. Powell is the Vice President of Engineering at Axient, where he previously served as Vice President and General Manager of the Space Development and Integration business unit. He operationally and tactically executes strategic initiatives, supports and implements corporate digital engineering strategies, provides engineering expertise to various programs, and advises Capstone projects at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Within the industry, Dr. Powell has worked with customers such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and multiple organizations within the U.S. Department of Defense, such as the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force.
Due to his vast breadth of knowledge, Dr. Powell has contributed to numerous journal and conference publications, including “Laminar Burning Velocities for Hydrocarbon-Nitrous Oxide Flames,” “Development of Hydrocarbon-Fueled Scramjet Engines: The Hypersonic Technology (HyTech) Program,” “Novel Kinetic Effects Warhead Design for Air-to-Ground Munitions,” and “Heat Transfer to the Inclined Trailing Wall of an Open Cavity.” More recently, Dr. Powell has co-authored invention disclosures for patents such as “System for Discreet, Precise, Aerial Delivery of Sensitive Small Payloads” and “Non-Explosive Kinetic Effects Munitions.”
To remain abreast of changes in the field, Dr. Powell aligns himself with the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, The Combustion Institute, the Tau Beta Pi Association, the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association, and the American Society for Engineering Education. Outside work, he also contributes to his local church as a Ruling Elder. Given his professional achievements, Dr. Powell received the Outstanding Engineer of the Year Award in the Junior Military Category from the U.S. Air Force and the Outstanding Academy Educator Award from the Department of Engineering Mechanics at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Likewise, he has received fellowships through the Axient Fellows Alliance and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
While his career has been filled with highlights, Dr. Powell takes great pride in working on a project focused on expediting the delivery of space capabilities from years to a matter of days during his tenure with the U.S. Air Force. Another standout aspect of his career is watching his former students ascend to leadership roles. Though hard work and dedication have brought him far in his career, he credits his success to his faith, his family, wonderful mentors, his upbringing, and his steadfast work ethic. Looking toward the future, Dr. Powell is focused on contributing to initiatives at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Axient.
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