professional journey

India

After graduating from college, Jag was very determined to work in the private sector, specifically in an industry that offered high-tech products and services. That desire was fulfilled when an automation and control integration firm offered him the role of a sales and systems engineer. The firm was selling high-tech engineering solutions to the process and manufacturing industry where processes can be automated, eliminating human errors. In the late 1980s, industrial automation firms were promising higher quality products, and lower human error. The only challenge - trying to sell automation system solutions that could potentially replace human labor where there is no shortage.  Through many failed attempts, Jag succeeded in achieving the sales targets. This experience solidified one of the important life principles: Never give up.  During his time as a sales and systems engineer, Jag obtained skills in system sales, engineering, design, and startup, and all aspects of the systems integration business.

In June 1994, Jag appeared for a job interview with GE Fanuc, a leading manufacturer of automation and control products. GE Fanuc was trying to establish their presence in India and they were looking for engineers with a sales background. At the end of the interview, instead of a job offer, GE Fanuc offered Jag a business deal to represent them in India. Jag was presented with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: to become an entrepreneur. Jag built his company over the next five years, reaching a staff of 20+ and annual revenue of $5 million.

In 1998, India saw an economic recession that affected companies in the infrastructure industry, including Jag’s own. Jag had to make a decision whether to shut down the operation and layoff the employees or keep the operation open until the employees could find other jobs. He chose to do the latter and kept the company operation open for one more year. In July 1999, Jag sold the company assets and clients, and the company operation ended. Through these experiences, Jag learned valuable skills in business operation, strategic planning, risk management, and financial management.

United States

Jag moved to the United States in 2000, to join a startup company - CXI. He led the solution sales for the water and wastewater market and built a great professional network. This networking resulted in a job offer, which was hard for him to refuse, from one of the leading engineering companies - CH2M.  Jag always wanted to work for a large multinational company to experience the culture and learn new business perspectives. He worked for two years and helped the project team in the construction and subsequent startup operation of a 56 MGD wastewater treatment facility in Fairfax, VA. He was fascinated by the project management methodologies that were utilized by the company in managing all of their projects. This is where his passion for the project management profession got developed. The passion led Jag to learn project management and then pursuing certification from Project Management Institute. In 2004, he became a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and has been practicing project management ever since.

In 2003, Jag moved to California in search of employment in small to medium-size firms in the field of industrial controls, automation, and system integration. With his entrepreneurial skills and corporate work experience, he knew he could make a difference and bring value to small or medium-sized firms. He was fortunate in finding that perfect firm and worked for the next seven years as a program and engineering manager - MCC Control Systems & Glenmount Global Solutions. During these seven years, he learned water conveyance processes, California contract code, municipal contracting methods, construction cost estimation, and government systems. In addition, he learned the water treatment process and applied the PMI project management methodology to all projects. One major accomplishment during these seven years was building a strong professional network across the country. 

Since 2012, Jag works for a California State Department as Principal Engineer, a management position. He is proud to be leading talented engineers and IT professionals who are together working to make California a better place to live and work.