Jeff and Geri Powell and Family Element Partnership

“The Northern Virginia Science Center will be a place of learning and a gathering place, right at the gateway into western Loudoun County,” shares Jeff Powell, CEO of local tech company Strongbridge. “It invites visitors to come see the beauty and opportunities here, and it will help Loudoun be the best it can be. What a great addition to the community, and to the entire D.C. area!”

A lifelong tech enthusiast and Air Force veteran who worked 10 years at NASA, Jeff sees the Northern Virginia Science Center as “the perfect convergence” of his interests in supporting both STEM learning and his local community. We’re proud to welcome Jeff and Geri Powell and Family as Element Partners in the Launch the Future campaign to build the Northern Virginia Science Center.

As a CEO, Jeff recognizes that the new museum will be an important contributor to the STEM talent pipeline in Northern Virginia, with its plethora of STEM companies, data centers, and more. “Technology companies like Strongbridge are looking for folks in the local area, so we need our next generation to be enthused about STEM. The Science Center will give a boost to local youth and be a launching point for their journeys.”

And of course, there’s the heart’s connections. “It’s about leaving the legacy for the next generation, being proud of supporting our community. It’s having our grandkids go on a field trip to the new museum and knowing our family is a part of it, seeing their name up there as a Science Center supporter.” The Powell grandchildren will find their name, appropriately enough, on the element Polonium (Po) on the interactive periodic table installation in the future Northern Virginia Science Center entrance hall.

There’s still room on the Element Wall for the names of more families, businesses, and community leaders.  “There are so many interesting folks in this community and backing this project,” said Jeff. “It’s an exciting and inspiring place to be!” We would love for you to join us: email cao@childsci.org to start a conversation.

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