Director of Government Affairs
Rockwell Automation
Running for: Vice Chair or Governor
Campaign Statement
Many of you know me from the time I ran the US-China Business Council in China during and after China’s accession to the WTO. Additionally, over the past 30 years I have had multiple commercial and government affairs leadership roles at global MNCs such as Bechtel, Oxy Petroleum, Cargill, SHV, Rockwell Automation and others. That includes working at several major JVs, which were in difficult operating environments like rural Shanxi and Liaoning.
Over the years I have dealt with China’s senior leadership as well as village chiefs in poor areas of rural China, and all levels in between. That hands-on experience has had a great influence on my approach to managing complex issues such as the relationship between the U.S. and China, which is to proactively address commercial and regulatory matters by engaging in practical, respectful discussions with all stakeholders in order to find mutually acceptable positive outcomes for both our companies and governments.
This is the second time I have run for the AmCham China Board of Governors, even though I have worked closely with the Chamber’s leadership for many years. During this time of complex transition for both the government and the economy, I want to continue to contribute my decades of political/commercial experience to the AmCham China community in order to help our businesses successfully navigate the changes ahead of us as China’s economy shifts away from its traditional model.
I would be honored to continue to do so if re-elected to serve.
Biography
Patrick Powers has 30 years of experience in international commerce, government relations and trade policy, achieved in a career that has spanned Asia but focused primarily on China. He has lived and worked in China for more than 20 years, in addition to assignments in Singapore, Vietnam, and Taiwan.
He was appointed the Director of Government Affairs for Rockwell Automation China in early 2014. Mr. Powers began his career with Bechtel, Inc., and held successive management positions at Island Creek of China Coal Ltd (Occidental Petroleum), SSM Coal BV, SHV Holdings, Tait Asia Ltd. (Vietnam), Mundoro Mining, Cargill, and Applus+.
Mr. Powers held the position of Vice President for China Operations at the US-China Business Council, the primary organization dealing with Sino-American commercial matters from 1999 to 2006. In that role, he was responsible for business advocacy and advisory services on behalf of 250 American MNC’s operating in the PRC. Mr. Powers has extensive experience in government relations and communications in China and Asia as well as a background in business development and operations in natural resources, large scale retailing, consumer goods warehousing and distribution.
He has spoken frequently on China-related topics at international conferences and appeared on numerous occasions in media, including CCTV, CNN, CNBC, and Bloomberg, as well as contributing articles to The China Business Review.
He has a BA from San Diego State University and has pursued advanced language and professional development courses at UC Berkeley, National Taiwan Normal University, and Singapore Institute of Management. Mr. Powers is a fluent Mandarin speaker.