G. Nagesh Rao

I witnessed the hardwork and dedication they have put forth to help establish the Hindu and Indian Diaspora communities of upstate NY.  My parents invested their energy in being of service to the local community, weaving our cultural heritage within the fabric of New York and American cultures. Their success was emblematic of the promise of the American dream, and I’ve always wanted to give back and be of service to the country that gave my immigrant parents an opportunity to thrive and grow in a brave new world for me and my sisters.

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In late summer 2004, I had just completed the Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship program at The National Academies focused on issues related to emerging technologies, globalization and intellectual property rights. I was curious and yet mystified about how many of these policy and programmatic machinations came about and wanted to better understand the inner workings of government. Thus, I started my career as an entry-level Patent Examiner with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Over the years, as I climbed the ranks in government, I saw the value and impact dedicated public servants had in support of the American public. 

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Today, as a member of the Career Senior Executive Service, I serve as Chief Information Officer for the Bureau of Industry & Security (BIS) at the U.S. Department of Commerce. In this role, I oversee an IT-Focused Digital Services team as we modernize a national security bureau focused at the intersection of science, technology, trade, and export regulatory controls. I am a passionate doer seeking to move the needle on every project I tackle. Working in government has given me the fortunate opportunity to collaborate with other passionate movers and shakers. Together with my teams at different agencies over the years, we have accomplished a lot and I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to the country that has given my family so much.

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