‘Ambassador’ for community and dedicated human trafficking foe is Tri-Citian of the Year
Retiring as director of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland is accomplishment enough for most people.
For Lura J. Powell, leaving the prestigious post in 2003 was just a starting point. In the 20 years since she turned in her badge, she has earned a reputation as a dedicated volunteer focused on science, technology, education, literacy and combating human trafficking.
For her exhaustive efforts to improve the Tri-Cities and the lives of its residents, Powell was named the 2023 Tri-Citian of the Year on Thursday at a banquet at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick.
The award is given by the Tri-Cities’ Rotary and Kiwanis clubs in honor of service to the community.
By tradition, Powell’s identity was kept secret until it was announced by the 2022 honoree, Mark Brault. Powell is the 51st Tri-Citian of the Year and only the third woman to receive it on her own and not as part of a couple or group.
Powell was hailed as an ambassador keen to advance the interests of the local community and the state of Washington. Sylvester Neal, past president of Kiwanis International, was the keynote speaker. Chuck DeGooyer was emcee.
Director of PNNL
Powell, who lives in Richland with her husband Art King, served as director of PNNL and senior vice president of Battelle from 2000-03. Battelle operates the lab for the U.S. Department of Energy.
In retirement, she was appointed to three state committees, including the Washington State University Board of Regents, the Washington State Redistricting Committee that redrew congressional district boundaries in 2011 and the Washington State Life Science Discovery Fund Authority.
The latter enabled cutting-edge technology for Washington residents and brought funding to PNNL.
Her passion for combating human trafficking is one of her defining interests, according to the nomination submitted by Jane Foreman of Richland and Pat Tuohy of Kennewick.
Powell, they said, helped organize local Soroptimist clubs into the Tri-Cities Soroptimists Against Trafficking. She was instrumental in forming the Tri-Cities Coalition Against Trafficking, which convened local agencies to coordinate services.
Training first responders
She secured a $5,000 grant that paid to train 230 first responders, medical personnel and college students to recognize human trafficking and how to serve its victims.
A separate $5,000 grant brought a national trainer to the community for a three-day training session for 200 area residents. Some 430 people have been trained through her efforts.
On a related note, the 23-year Tri-Cities resident regularly hosts events to benefit Domestic Violence Services in both Benton and Franklin counties.
“She is a true philanthropist and graciously hosts various fundraising events in her home,” the nominators wrote. As a member of Soroptimist International of Pasco-Kennewick, she implemented community corporate partnerships to enable the club to deepen ties to Tri-City businesses.
Powell’s civic resume includes serving on the boards of Kadlec Medical Center Foundation, United Way of Benton & Franklin Counties, Tri-City Development Council, Three Rivers Community Round Table, Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center, Avista Corporation and Washington State Technology Alliance Board.
She has supported countless nonprofits, including the Tri-Cities Cancer Center, Delta High School and the Children’s Reading Foundation.
WSU regent
Sandra Haynes, chancellor for WSU Tri-Cities, called Powell a “stellar” regent who is informed, thoughtful and highly engaged in the entire WSU system. She lent her voice to the efforts that led to the creation of the WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine in Spokane..
“Simply put, she has helped make my time here a joy with her willingness to share her wisdom (which is considerable),” Haynes wrote in the nomination.
Fran Forgette, 2001 Tri-Citian of the Year, preceded Powell on the WSU board. The retired Kennewick attorney said he’s long admired her work ethic, engagement and effectiveness.
“If there is a job to be done for the betterment of the Tri-Cities as a whole, Lura is always there with good ideas and a willing hand,” he said.
Nancy Kerr, president of the National Children’s Reading Foundation, said Powell was undaunted by the details when she helped update the foundation’s business, including legal documents, financial procedures and personnel practices in 2007. Powell didn’t lose interest when the job was finished.
“Lura continued to ask how CRF is doing and support our mission. She genuinely cares,” Kerr wrote.
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