3-year term begins in January.
By Raif Karerat
ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND: Rajan Natarajan, who served as the Maryland’s Deputy Secretary of State for Policy and External Affairs until last month, was sworn in as a commissioner of Maryland Transportation Commission at the Montgomery County Circuit Court on December 29. His three-year term begins in January.
The commission studies the state’s transportation system and advises the transportation secretary and other senior officials of the Maryland Department of Transportation on policies and programs. The department, which oversees six major sub-agencies — Maryland Transportation Authority, Maryland Transit Administration, Maryland Port Administration, State Highway Administration, Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration and Maryland Aviation Administration — is one of the best-funded departments and agencies in the state.
While announcing Natarajan’s appointment recently, Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley said he had “great confidence in Dr. Rajan Natarajan’s dedication to the public service and leadership†and thanked the Indian American “for making this strong commitment to serve the best interest of our citizen.†The outgoing governor added: “I know we will succeed in our goal to make a positive difference for all Marylanders with your assistance and support.â€
“It is my great honor and privilege to get another historic opportunity presented by Gov. O’Malley to serve on this important commission that has huge impact on the citizens of Maryland,†Natarajan said. “I am profoundly thankful [to the governor] for not only this appointment but also [for opening] doors for me to serve in public service by appointing me as the Deputy Secretary of State back in March 2011.â€
In 2011, Natarajan became the first Indian American to be appointed to a sub-cabinet level position Maryland. At the time, it was the highest administrative office held by an Indian American in the state’s history.
As the deputy secretary, he represented the governor and the secretary of state at designated public events and advised the secretary on external affairs. Other tasks included fostering and promoting international diplomatic mission, building public, private and business partnerships, and trade promotion, enhancing educational and institutional collaborations, and facilitating technology commercialization.
After leaving the government in November, Natarajan moved back to the private sector, becoming the president of Syscom Technologies Inc., an information technology and cyber security company based in Maryland and Virginia.
Natarajan is also currently serving on the Board of Visitors of University of Maryland.
Prior to serving as Deputy Secretary of State, Natarajan was an entrepreneur in the biotechnology and information technology sectors. He served for more than 15 years as vice president of three information technology and biotechnology companies and founded an IT company.
In 2007, he served on O’Malley’s transition team. One of his proposals, the formation of a new cabinet-level Department of Information Technology, was implemented by the governor in the very first legislative session.
Natarajan had also served as the President of Maryland India Business Roundtable, Board of Director of the Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the Maryland Indian Chief Executive Officers Council, Board of Director of the U.S.-India Chamber of Commerce, and Founder of Indo-Americans for Obama.
He has also received various commendations from various organizations including the National Science Foundation’s Small Business Innovation Research Award, Indian National Young Scientist Merit Award, Outstanding Community Leadership award, and Emerging Business Leadership award.
Natarajan came to the United States in 1989 to pursue post-doctoral research at Michigan State University. Afterwards, he worked as a biotech scientist and completed his MBA in 1999.
1 Comment
Dear Brother,
My son Master.M.Kamesh Amudhan, who is in Virgenia State University is camping in Maryland from 9th March to 11th March 2016.His mobile Number.+1(540)449-6238. His maill id:kamesh93@gmail.com
KMV.Manivannan,Joint Director of Industries&Commerce
Gudalur,The Nilgiris