Captain “Trip” Powell is a resident of Coeymans, New York, and is a graduate of Syracuse University.

He was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy in 1978. Attending flight school in Pensacola, Florida, he received his Wings of Gold as a Naval Flight Officer.

Captain Powell was assigned to VS-41, with subsequent assignment to VS-31 at Naval Air Station, Cecil Field, Florida. Flying the S3-A Viking Carrier Anti-submarine aircraft, he deployed with the squadron to the Persian Gulf onboard USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69).

Captain Powell transferred from VS-31, reporting in March 1983 to Navy Recruiting District Albany, as an officer recruiter and department head.

In March 1986, Captain Powell affiliated with the Naval Reserve. Assignments included:

• Administrative Department Head, Operations Officer, and Executive Officer with Naval Control of Shipping Unit, Uruguay.
• Operations Officer with NR CVN-72 USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, Det 102.
• Commanding Officer of NR LHA-2 USS SAIPAN, Det 201.
• Operations Officer with the Joint Staff of Maritime Defense Zone - Atlantic.
• NATO Operational Planner with Commander, Striking Fleet Atlantic, Det 102.
• Commanding Officer, Fleet Air Mediterranean, Det 102.
• Commanding Officer, VTU 201.

He retired from the United States Navy, in the rank of Captain, in July 2008. Having affiliated with the New York Naval Militia in 1986, he was assigned as N5, Assistant Chief of Staff, Assigned as Commander, Naval Militia Northern Command in October 2010, he was mobilized by New York State during Operation Irene and Operation Sandy. CAPT Powell was assigned as Deputy Commander for Operations for the New York Naval Militia in January 2013.

Captain Powell is married to Julia Dessloch, MD, and has three children. In civilian life, he is the President and Chief Executive Officer of The H.B. Davis Seed Company, in Albany.