Business: Colin Powell to advise Menlo's Kleiner Perkins Business: Colin Powell to advise Menlo's Kleiner Perkins (July 20, 2005)

Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell has become a "strategic limited partner" with the Menlo Park venture capital firm, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, the firm announced last week.

Mr. Powell told reporters he'll be a part-time adviser and said he's particularly interested in assisting entrepreneurs build global businesses that "better the world."

He said he has known Kleiner Perkins entrepreneurs and partners for years.

His work could also involve such initiatives as providing micro-credit and health care in remote areas of Africa, said Brook Byers of Kleiner Perkins in a press release.

John Doerr of Woodside, another Kleiner Perkins partner, said Mr. Powell "is passionate about innovations" in communications, security, energy independence and health care. "Colin is a gifted, 'always-on' communicator who loves technology," Mr. Doerr added.

Mr. Powell, 68, was chairman of the joint chiefs of staff from 1989 to 1993 and became U.S. secretary of state in 2001. He left the office earlier this year.

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