By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : A leading Indian American entrepreneur, Rajan Natarajan has been named deputy secretary of state for policy and external affairs in Maryland state.
Natarajan, 51, was appointed to this highest administrative office held by any Indian American to date in the state by Democratic Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley.
Natarajan’s responsibilities include representing the governor or secretary of state at designated public and community outreach events, advising the secretary on external affairs, planning and strategies, fostering and promoting international diplomatic relationships.
“Rajan brings a wealth of corporate business and industry experience to my administration,” said O’Malley, noting “he has spent much of his professional life in the corporate world, helping companies grow.”
Natarajan also “has significant experience in the technology sector and is used to thinking out-of-the box to deliver innovative solutions, commercialisation of technologies and business development,” he said.
Born in Pudukkottai district, Tamil Nadu, Natarajan came to the US in 1989 to pursue post-doctoral research at the Michigan State University after completing his doctoral degree in bioscience at the University of Madras.
After completing his MBA in 1999 at Michigan, he became a technology entrepreneur and business leader.
(Arun Kumar can be contacted at [email protected])