On the passing of Pike Powers.

Earlier this week, I sent the USTomorrow community my thoughts on the passing of Austin legend Pike Powers. The response has been overwhelming and a true testament to the man and his work. I’m re-sharing it with the larger community here. Feel free to share your story in the comments.

Pike Powers

When Pike Powers, visionary Texan and co-founder of modern Austin, passed away last week, our community lost a tireless advocate and collaborator.

Pike was an open door to old, new, and still only imagined Austin. A power broker who broke the mold, he was expert in translating the value of new opportunity and beyond-market perspective to ensure that clout, momentum, and majority came together to deliver real and lasting change. His vast network contained friends and allies from both parties, all committed to progress, not party lines. His sweeping view of our potential, met with some skepticism at times, was the spark that ignited the trajectory Central Texas is on today.

I am proud to say he was a friend and mentor to me (and many others) in the ways of Austin, economic development, Texas business, innovative approach, politics, and how to successfully navigate the muddy place where they all come together. He was a skilled and patient teacher and I will work every day to ensure those lessons inspire the next generation of Texas leaders.

I will always be grateful for the support he provided at every step of my career in Austin: from defense innovation blueprinting in 2012 while I was still in the Army and a professor at UT-Austin, to the formation and sale of RideScout in 2014, to a run for the US Congress in 2018, to our work at USTomorrow that continues today. Pike’s door was always open and his insight generously provided and invaluable.

Pike and I at the ceremony where he was named 2017 Texan of the Year by the Texas Legislative Conference.

Over the years, USTomorrow co-founder Grover Bynum and I conspired with Pike over take out hamburgers from too many new and old Austin establishments to count. He had his favorites but he enjoyed them all: what he truly savored is that they were all from Austin.

A simple online search for Pike will introduce you to an unparalleled record of Texas excellence and American exceptionalism. Please take some time to learn more about and celebrate the accomplishments of this extraordinary leader.

Thank you, Pike.

Joseph Kopser