In the standard rabbinical chronology, Avraham Avinu was born 500 years before Yetziat Mitzrayim. In my chronlogy this would be in 829 (1329 minus 500). Around this time, camels were domesticated. The Torah mentions camels when describing Avraham's wealth (Bereishit 12:16). Perhaps Avraham was at the cutting edge of camel domestication. It could explain his position of power.
[Thanks to Elisheva]
