Former IBM and AMP executive and NeST Group founder recognized as Rep. Suhas Subramanyam highlights growing Indian American political influence and the importance of U.S.-India ties
The Virginia chapter of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO-Virginia) honored Indian American technology leader and entrepreneur Javad K. Hassan as part of its 17th anniversary celebrations and a commemoration of India’s 80th Independence Day.
Hassan, founder of technology conglomerate NeST Group, received the award from Indian American Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, D-VA., at an event held at the Marriott in Herndon, Virginia, on Aug. 23.
Five other community leaders were also recognized for their achievements in various fields: Dr. Hiren Pokharna in medicine, Dr. V.K. Raju in philanthropy, Dr. Siva Subramanian in education, Dr. C.M. Prasad in social services, and Lalit Jha and Vishnudatta Jayaraman in journalism.
Born in Aluva, Kerala, Hassan came to the United States in 1966 to pursue graduate studies at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. After graduating in 1968, he joined IBM as a senior associate engineer.
READ: Sam Pitroda unveils autobiography of Indian American tech leader Javad K. Hassan (September 12, 2024)
Over the next two decades, he rose through the ranks at a time when few Indians or other minorities occupied senior positions in the U.S. technology industry. Within 10 years, Hassan was heading an IBM semiconductor laboratory with more than 2,000 engineers, and in 1980, he moved to the company’s world headquarters as corporate head of engineering and technology.
After two decades at IBM, Hassan joined electronics manufacturer AMP, then a Fortune 100 company, as corporate head of engineering and technology worldwide. Over the next decade, he helped expand the company beyond its traditional connector business into emerging technologies such as fiber optics. The division he headed eventually generated about $1.5 billion in annual sales.
After three decades in corporate America, Hassan founded NeST Group with his younger brother, N. Jehangir. NeST’s flagship company, SFO Technologies, grew into one of India’s major electronics manufacturers, producing products ranging from medical equipment and ATM components to cables and power supplies for global customers. Hassan went on to launch more than a dozen businesses in fields including fiber optics, software, systems integration, IT infrastructure, healthcare technology and digital media.
Congratulating the winners, Subramanyam, who represents Virginia’s 10th Congressional District, highlighted the growing political representation of Indian Americans in Virginia and urged the community to use its increasing influence.
“When I first started in [politics], we had never elected an Indian American or South Asian representative in Virginia,” Subramanyam said, pointing out that “now we have several,” including Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi, state Sen. Saddam Salim, state Sen. Kannan Srinivasan and state Del. J.J. Singh.
“So that’s real power. You’ve got a seat at the table now, so make your voice heard and start using it,” he said.
Subramanyam also underscored the importance of U.S.-India ties.
“It’s important to recognize the strong relationship between [the United States and India], the two largest democracies in the world, and how we should continue to strive to strengthen that relationship,” he said. “It’s something I’m committed to in Congress.”
The Democrat also referred to the Trump administration’s ongoing immigration crackdown.
“Right now, this is a hard time for immigrant communities,” Subramanyam said, urging constituents experiencing problems with USCIS or other immigration matters to reach out to his congressional office.
Earlier, GOPIO-Virginia President Jay Bhandari spoke about the organization’s mission and highlighted the accomplishments of the Indian American community.
Other speakers included Virginia state Sens. Saddam Salim, a Bangladeshi American, and Jennifer Boysko, as well as Vinayak Patil, first secretary (consular) at the Indian Embassy in Washington.
GOPIO-Virginia Vice Presidents Johnson Myalil and Ram Gupta were also present at the award ceremony.