Lewis C.
Powell
… I had to learn early that it was not going to be easy!
My journey from the early days in corporate America to becoming a successful entrepreneur was filled with challenges and valuable lessons. Joining COMSAT Corporation in 1992 as a digital engineer in the Maritime Services Division, I faced numerous obstacles as the first African American engineer hired in that division. Despite the difficulties and mistreatment I experienced, I saw this corporate role as a training ground for my future endeavors.
It’s 1992 and I was just hired as a digital Engineer working in the Maritime Services Division of COMSAT Corporation. I was 24 years old African American male without a college degree working as an actual engineer. Moreover, after nearly 30 years of business, I was the first African American engineer hired to work in the Maritime Services division. Yes, I was there first hire and let me tell you it was rough from day one.
I went through a lengthy probationary period (almost 2 years). This was one of the hardest jobs I ever had in my life. Looking back on my employment career in corporate America, it was the first training ground for me to become a successful entrepreneur and business owner.
Despite facing daily challenges that pushed me to my limits, I considered myself fortunate for the opportunity to collaborate with such remarkable individuals. In this position, I worked side by side with some greatest Inventors, scientists, and researchers in the field of Satellite Communications. This was indeed the place where I learned that I had grit, I was an innovator and I could be an inventor of new technology.
Being in the company of brilliant minds exposed me to a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and groundbreaking advancements in Satellite Communications. Witnessing the innovative thinking and creative problem-solving of my colleagues inspired me to tap into my own potential as an innovator. It was within this environment that I discovered my ability to think outside the box, challenge conventional wisdom, and contribute to the development of new technologies.
The experience of working with these exceptional professionals helped me recognize my own capabilities and nurtured my belief in my potential as an inventor. By observing their methods, collaborating on projects, and exchanging ideas, I gained valuable insights into the process of innovation and the impact it can have on shaping the future.
After leaving COMSAT in 1994, I briefly worked in Saudi Arabia before returning to the Washington, DC area in 1995. During this time abroad, I learned about an exciting project focused on developing a wireless data and voice satellite service. This led me to join Norcom Networks Corporation (now owned and operated by Wireless Matrix), where I further honed my skills as an engineer.
Norcom Networks Corporation was dedicated to developing wireless data satellite services for various industries, including the US Armed Force Mobile Communications Division, trucking and rail industries, and maritime industries.
After three years at Norcom Networks Corporation, I was newly promoted to first-level Engineering Manager, and it was time for me to start my own business. I was working diligently to create a communication service for crude pipeline owners and operators, utilizing cutting-edge sensor technology developed in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory.
In 1998, I started my first business venture called, Transparent Communications Network (TCN), and introduced a groundbreaking product called Mister Utility. The sensor technology would allow real-time telemetry data of the current state of underground crude oil pipelines to be shared through radio frequency (rf) communications.
The foundation of TCN was built on years of experience, expertise, and a strong desire to bring commercially viable products and services to the market. Starting TCN was a natural progression for me, and I saw it as an opportunity to make a difference as a business owner.
In the end, my journey from a young engineer facing challenges and discrimination to becoming a successful entrepreneur and innovator is a testament to the power of perseverance, determination, and belief in one's own abilities. My experiences working with brilliant minds in the field of Satellite Communications not only shaped my professional growth but also ignited a passion within me to make a difference in the world.