A 25-year veteran with the Virginia Department of the Treasury, J. Braxton Powell was appointed Treasurer of Virginia by Governor Tim Kaine in January 2006. Prior to his appointment by Kaine, Powell served at Governor Mark Warner’s request in the role of Deputy State Treasurer. While Deputy State Treasurer, Powell was responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Treasury. A graduate of Virginia Tech, Powell has also served at the Treasury in other capacities, including Director of Financial Policy, Manager of Cash and Banking and Cash Administrator. While serving as Director of Financial Policy, Powell prepared briefs for the legislature and helped shape goals and objectives for the Treasury’s strategic plans.

As Treasurer of Virginia, Powell serves on the following boards and authorities, the first six being staffed by the Department of the Treasury: Commonwealth of Virginia Treasury Board, Debt Capacity Advisory Committee, Virginia College Building Authority, Virginia Public Building Authority, Virginia Public School Authority, Tobacco Settlement Financing Corporation, Virginia College Savings Plan, Virginia Housing Development Authority, Virginia Port Authority, Virginia Resources Authority and the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority.

Powell is a member of the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST) where he serves on its Executive Committee and is Vice-President of the Association's southern region. Powell also serves on the Association's Unclaimed Property Committee, and its Banking, Collateral and Cash Management Committee.

Powell graduated from Virginia Tech with a B.S. in Business Administration (Finance). He has also earned certificates for his participation in the Commonwealth’s Virginia Executive Institute and NAST's National Institute for Public Finance at the Kellogg School at Northwestern University.

Powell’s service with the state includes positions with the former Virginia Department of Management Analysis and Systems Development and the Virginia Employment Commission. Powell’s contributions to the Commonwealth’s cash management initiatives have been recognized by Governor Gerald L. Baliles. In addition to Governor Baliles’ recognition, the Virginia Automated Clearing House Association acknowledged Powell’s professional leadership in the development of the Vendor Express Project, which is still in use today. A Certified Cash Manager by the Association of Financial Professionals, Powell was also a member of Virginia’s Commonwealth Association of Financial Professionals formerly the Commonwealth Treasury Management Association. His previous leadership roles within the organization include Director and President.

A native of Suffolk, Virginia, Powell is married to Judy Scott Powell, also of Suffolk and a retired elementary school teacher for Chesterfield County. Married 40 years, they have two daughters, Christina Powell Jenkins of Chesterfield County and Kendall Powell Odorizzi of Broomfield, Colorado. The Treasurer and Mrs. Powell also have three grandchildren.