Dr. Rajan Natarajan: Making History in Top Maryland Post
Dr. Rajan Natarajan has made history as the first Indian-born American to become Maryland’s Deputy Secretary of State for Policy and External Affairs. Dr. Natarajan is the first and highest ranking Indian-born American appointed in his administration.
As an entrepreneur, “Dr. Natarajan brings a wealth of corporate business and industry experience to my administration,” he noted. “He has spent much of his professional life in the corporate world helping companies grow.”
“Dr. Natarajan also has significant experience in the technology sector and is used to thinking out-of-the box to deliver innovative solutions, commercialization of technologies and business development,” he added.
“Additionally, Dr. Natarajan has been actively engaged in the business community and has overseen organizations whose very mission is to bring business leaders, deals and partnerships together, and try to identify areas where collaboration can occur.”
Dr. Natarajan’s key responsibilities include representing the governor or the Secretary of State at designated public and community outreach events. He is also expected to advise the Secretary on external affairs, foster and promote international diplomatic relationships, effectively build public private community and industry partnerships, oversee and advance international Sister-State programs, coordinate the Legislative and Executive affairs and Oversee Maryland International Consortium.
Dr. Natarajan came to the U.S. in 1989 to pursue his post-doctoral research at Michigan State University and then continued on to become a biotechnology scientist. After completing his MBA in 1999, he shifted his focus to become a technology entrepreneur and helped developing several businesses from its inception.
For over 12 years, he has served as the vice president of three start-up Information Technology and Biotechnology companies. Before joining this position, he was the VP of Government Initiatives at GANTECH, a fast-growing technology company in Maryland.
Currently, he also serves as the member of the Governor’s International Advisory Council. He recently served as the president of Maryland India Business Roundtable (MIBRT) and Board of Director of the Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce (APACC).
Dr. Natarajan has received numerous awards, including the National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Award, Indian National Young Scientist Merit Award, Outstanding Community Leadership award, and Emerging Business Leadership award.
He has authored over 30 articles and publications and holds a U.S. patent. He and his wife, Dr. Savithiry Natarajan, a USDA Scientist, and his two sons Ram, 17 and Bala, 15, live in Montgomery County.
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