Mayor Powell has led the effort to provide quality of life enhancements for Arnold residents. In April 2002, voters approved a new $15 million recreational center that opened in August, 2005. This new 55,000 square foot center has both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a gymnasium with two basketball courts, workout room and meeting facilities that will be made available to the public for banquets and meetings.

In addition, Mayor Powell serves as treasurer of the Jefferson County Library District and has been instrumental in coordinating the effort to construct a new 16,000 square foot library adjacent to the recreation center. The two buildings are connected by an enclosed corridor that will give easy access to either building from the other.

During a time of economic recession, Mayor Powell has presented balanced budgets that give additional services to residents, while reducing overhead expenses. The mayor has also created a new Economic Development Commission and a Tourism Commission. These two commissions are charged with increasing the economic base in Arnold to solidify the city's financial future.

Powell, the son of career U.S. Army Sergeant Dewey Powell and Virginia Manes Powell, has been a resident of Arnold since his childhood in 1957, with the exception of four years when his father's military duties called them away from Arnold. Powell attended four high schools during that time, including Fox High School in Arnold. He graduated from Southwest Missouri State University with a degree in accounting and has spent 30 years in the banking and investment business in Arnold.

In addition to serving on the Jefferson County Library Board of Trustees, Powell formerly served eight years on the Fox C-6 School Board of Education, is a former member of the Jefferson County Industrial Development Authority and the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation. He is a past president of the Arnold Rotary Club and has volunteered for numerous civic and charitable organizations.