Prior to assuming his current role in November 2008, Powell joined The E.W. Scripps Company (Scripps) as the divisional head of Human Resources for Scripps Networks in February 2007. Before assuming his role at Scripps, Powell served as vice president of Human Resources for the global financial services company, ING, in Atlanta. Powell worked for Marriott International in Washington, DC in various corporate human resources roles. Powell was previously an Assistant Director of Admissions for Northwestern University (his alma mater) and worked in human resources for Deloitte & Touche in Chicago. Prior to his human resources career, Powell worked in Sales and Marketing with the Ford Motor Company.

In addition to his daily activities as the head of human resources, Powell chairs the company's Benefits Committee, serves on the Diversity Committee and the company's Management Committee. He is currently a member of the Knoxville Area Urban League and the University of Tennessee Chancellor's Associate Council. In addition, he serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Women in Cable & Telecommunications (WICT) and Cable and Telecommunications Human Resources Association (CTHRA).

For his work in the cable industry, Powell received the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) Luminary Award at the 2008 NCTA Cable Show. In Spring 2008, Powell attended CTAM's Executive Education Program at Harvard University and was also nationally recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America by Savoy Professional magazine. He has also been named one of CableFAX's Top 75 Most Influential Minorities in Cable.